Half of young Brits suffer from back and neck pain, chiropractors say
The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) reports that nearly one in two Brits under age 30 suffers from back and neck pain. The group is the latest to sound the alarm on the sedentary lifestyle epidemic and on the related phenomenon of increasing screen time.
For a growing number of teens and adults, spending 10 hours a day behind a screen and less than two hours a day physically active has become the norm. As part of the UK's Chiropractic Awareness Week (April 13-19), the British Chiropractic Association published the results of its survey on the subject of sedentary habits and one of its common consequences: back and neck pain.
Eighty-six percent of respondents said they suffered from back or neck pain, compared to 77% last year, and a quarter of respondents said they suffer daily. The percentage of 16 to 24 year olds with these chronic conditions rose from 28% to 45% over the year, reflecting a 60% increase.
"We're seeing a rise in the number of people experiencing back and neck-related problems because our modern lifestyle is forcing us to stay seated," said BCA chiropractor Tim Hutchful.
Around two thirds of respondents said they spend most of their day sitting, including on average:
- 1.8 hours with a mobile device (smartphone, tablet, etc.)
- 3.7 hours in front of a desktop or laptop computer
- 1.4 hours playing video or computer games
- 2.8 hours watching TV or movies
In light of these findings, the BCA has shared several recommendations, including advice on the proper posture to maintain to prevent back pain.
If you must sit, always sit up straight, making sure your back and shoulder blades touch the back of the chair. When seated in front of a computer, adjust the screen so that its upper edge is level with your eyebrows. Finally, stand up to walk around and stretch at least once every 20 to 30 minutes.
The past decade has seen an abundance of scientific literature on the rise of back pain. The British Medical Journal's Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (ARD) has published two studies showing that lower back pain is the world's leading cause of disability and that it accounts for one third of all work-related disability.
In addition to being linked to musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, a sedentary lifestyle is also related to high blood pressure and diabetes, two factors that put patients at risk for heart disease. According to François Carré, president of a French center for the study of sedentary lifestyles and their effects (L'Observatoire de la Sédentarité), there is an inverse correlation between the average time spent seated per day and lifespan.
