| W.E.U Admin | Physical Health & Lifestyle
“Sitting is the new smoking” is the phrase on the lips of a generation of worried office workers. Barely a week seems to pass without a warning that our sedentary lifestyles are causing potential dangers to our physical health. Whether you spend your day sat at a computer screen or a TV screen (or both), the chances are that you are raising your risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. One study even found that people who sit the most have a 17 percent higher mortality rate than those who sit the least.
Chiropractors Report Rise in Back Pain
A study of 2,127 British adults by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) found that a startling 82 percent of men say they have suffered from neck or back pain. The figure has climbed from 75 percent a year ago.
Perhaps most concerning is that the average age at which men first experience back pain has fallen. Today, the typical man visits a chiropractor for the first time at just 37—a significant drop from previous generations.
BCA chiropractor Rishi Loatey observes:
“The modern man is certainly feeling the strain as we constantly juggle busy lives—working longer hours, tackling DIY and looking after the kids. It all takes its toll, but worryingly we’re seeing younger men coming through our doors who aren’t looking after themselves.”
Part of the problem is that men’s lifestyles are not as consistently active as those of generations gone by:
“People now have lifestyles where part of their day is very sedentary and then another part is manic. They might commute by car, sit at a desk all day, then play five-a-side football once a week—and that is when the problems happen.”
The study also found that 41 percent of respondents do nothing proactive to look after their backs, while 28 percent resort to over-the-counter medicine. “Prevention is better than cure,” says Mr Loatey. “If you experience pain for more than a couple of days, seek help from a healthcare professional. Don’t mask the problem with painkillers alone.”
4 Tips to Stay Back and Neck Pain Free
- Use it or lose it. When lifting heavy objects or picking up the kids, bend your knees—don’t bend from the waist, which increases stress on your lower back.
- Keep it close. Hold weight as near to your body as possible to reduce strain on your neck and back. When setting items down, place them on a raised surface at waist height rather than the floor.
- Sit up. Whether watching the game on TV or working at your desk, ensure your back is supported in the base of the chair and your head is directly over your body to avoid added strain.
- Get moving but ease in. Try to change position every 20–30 minutes. Being active is essential, but don’t jump straight into high-intensity exercise if you’ve been inactive—gradually build up your core strength.
For more on how office work is becoming a real pain in the back and practical posture advice, visit our Education section.
Contact Us
If you have concerns about your working environment, contact the Workers of England Union on 01206 766 899.
workersofengland.co.uk | Independent Workers Trade Union
This Article is Tagged under:
Ergonomics, Health
