BACK CARE AWARENESS WEEK

Highlighting the importance of understanding, preventing, and managing back pain.

Yesterday was the start of Back Care Awareness Week - a campaign raising awareness of back pain, which is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems. In fact, according to the 'Management of Low Back Pain' article published in British Medical Journal, 60% of the adult population can expect to have a back problem at some point in their life. In most people the pain is very unlikely to be caused by anything serious but it may be due to a range of factors, including poor posture, inactive lifestyle, improper workstations and incorrect manual handling.

There are lots of things people can do to help relieve their back pain and recover faster. We have compiled a list of resources that have some useful advice and exercises for people suffering from back pain:

• NHS & Active Dorset - Musculoskeletal Matters – Back Pain

• Somerset NHS Foundation Trust - information for patients with lower back pain

• Somerset NHS Foundation Trust - Mechanical Lower Back Pain

• Mersey Care - NHS Foundation Trust - Low back pain - exercises

• Versus Arthritis - Back pain information booklet

• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy -All you need to know about back pain

HOW CAN BACK PAIN AFFECT your WORKPLACE?

7.3 million working days were lost due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSK) in 2021/2022. Also, there were an estimated 477,000 workers affected by work-related musculoskeletal disorders and 42% percent of these cases were back related.

- 'Health and safety at work. Summary statistics for Great Britain 2022'

Back pain affects people's general wellbeing, reduces their productivity, and is one of the main causes of absence from work. Some musculoskeletal problems can be caused or made worse by various factors at work. These could include:

• Incorrect use of display screen equipment (DSE)

• sitting or standing for a long time without moving and taking breaks

• a poor working environment

• moving a heavy load

• repetitive movements

• bending, twisting or reaching

• using power tools and operating heavy machinery

• working when overtired or injured

There many things that can be done in the workplace to reduce threats to MSK health, including adapting physical environments and work practices, promoting healthy habits, as well as early interventions to identify and address problems. Adopting good MSK practises within your organisation can help to:

• improve employee's quality of life and support those with existing MSK conditions to stay at work

• reduce sickness absence

• reduce presenteeism

• improve retention

• increase productivity

• reduce costs associated with working days lost, sick pay and retraining

How can we help you and your staff?

display screen equipment (dse) assessments

As an employer, under The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations, you have to ensure that your employees' workstations are set up properly to help avoid exacerbating existing medical conditions or potentially creating new issues. Our DSE assessments evaluate any hazards that may be present and suggest recommendations that should help improve the employee’s health and wellbeing.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) Referral

Our MSK Referral makes it easier for your employees suffering from MSK issues to access expert help and appropriate treatment early. We’ll help you understand how your employee’s working environment is affecting their health and recommend any reasonable adjustments you should make. Our clinicians will talk through any health concerns your employee has and advise on the treatment which can range from self-management to physiotherapy sessions.

Get in touch with us to find out more about our DSE Assessments and MSK Referrals.