Back Care Advice

Research by BackCare shows that alarmingly 50% of children have experienced low back pain by the age of 14 and other studies show that almost half of all secondary school age children experience occasional backache.

Everyday physical demands of school life, combined with sedentary lifestyles, poor postures and lack of education are contributory factors.

Statistically 80% of the adult population will suffer disabling acute low back pain, this may resolve within 6 weeks but 60% will reoccur within a year and 15% will become permanent. (ABC Backcare Programme for Children, 2006). 95% of the population will be affected by back pain at some stage. It has a huge impact on the UK economy. 3.7 million working days are lost each year in Britain as a result of Back Pain (Fit to Work, CSP 2000). It costs the country £6 billion a year in medical treatment, benefits and sick leave (Backs for the Future, CSP 2005). Given these statistics, it is important that our children develop good habits early on in life.

Poor posture in adolescence can lead to permanent wear and tear changes later in life. Posture and movement dysfunction causes imbalances to develop around the hips, knees, spine and shoulder girdle due to poor sustained postures. The muscles are not able to function properly due to an alteration in length, as some become shortened and some too long. This can pull joints out of their correct alignment, consequently putting strain on the soft tissues that support our skeleton. The soft tissues include ligaments, muscles, connective tissue/fascia, nerves and discs.

The back is especially vulnerable, as it has to perform two contradictory purposes- to provide mobility and stability e.g. Walking and carrying objects. Teenage backs are especially prone to pain from tightness or over stretching of soft tissue structures as they go through growth spurts and hormonal changes associated with puberty.

Regular exercise will mobilise and strengthen the spine and Lorna can recommend specific exercises and advice. Active children tend to develop better core muscle tone and flexibility. This makes it easier for them to maintain a good posture.

Exercise improves balance and co-ordination, which promotes better body awareness. Exercise also boosts self-esteem. Children who are confident and body aware tend to adopt a more upright posture, which in turn ensures a healthy back.

Lorna is well aware of the benefits of promoting correct posture at an early age and believes that in doing so; it will empower children, with support from school and family, to take responsibility for their own backs, therefore preventing potential back pain in the future.

Lorna is able to offer advice to schools to help them become more "back friendly". Please ask if you feel your/your child's school may benefit from FREE advice.

BackCare  - the charity of Healthier backs