A healthier future for sufferers of back pain

NATIONAL Spinal Health Week (20-26 May 2024), an initiative of the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA), is dedicated to improving the spinal health of all Australians through increasing awareness of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) including low back pain.

Hervey Bay residents are among the four-in-every-five Australians who experience back pain at some point in their lives.

Dr Andrew Harwood of Harwood Chiropractic who’s a member of the ACA said, “Back pain is usually as a result of an MSD which accounts for the greatest proportion of persistent pain conditions and is the second largest contributor to disability worldwide, with low back pain being the single leading cause of disability globally. 

“For about 8 in 10 sufferers experiencing symptoms beyond three months, the pain is often not caused by any particular condition. Known as ‘Chronic Primary Low Back Pain’ (CPLBP) or non-specific low back pain, it’s classified as a non-sinister, non-pathological cause with over 90% of back pain due to CPLBP.

“For people who experience chronic back pain, their ability to participate in family, social, and work activities is often limited leading to negative impacts on both physical and mental health with significant costs to families, communities and Australia’s economy.

If left untreated, back pain can sometimes lead to a chronic pain condition or disability,” said Dr Harwood.

Those most at risk are people who do physical work involving strenuous activities and those who are inactive, spend long hours sitting at work or at home or don’t exercise.

Older Australians are also in the high-risk group, particularly those over 65 years as they’re more likely to develop chronic LBP.

“Best practice for treating most back pain starts by avoiding prescribed and over-the counter medications and instead, accessing person-centred, low risk, non-surgical, drug-free therapies that can treat the underlying cause not just the symptoms,” said Dr Harwood.

If you are among the many Hervey Bay residents who suffer from back pain, contact Harwood Chiropractic www. harwoodchiropractic.com.au for holistic healthcare that can help.

Or for more information visit www.spinalhealthweek. org.au to help improve your spinal health and overall wellbeing.