Do you suffer from neck and back pain? If so, you’re not alone. Around 80 percent of Australians will suffer from back or neck pain at some time in their lives. Often this is a result of a sports injury or strain which occurs through occupational or lifestyle stress. It can also be as a result of a long-standing disease or medical condition.
However, increasingly in our society, neck and back pain is due to having poor posture.
Posture is defined as the balance and alignment of our bones and muscles that support the structures of the body. Good posture is that which protects these structures from pain, even deformity. Bad posture will do the opposite.
Over the years, bad posture will put pressure on our necks and backs, resulting in postural pain. This is exacerbated by the sedentary lifestyles now led by many Australians. Many of us now work in offices (or from home) and don’t find enough time to engage in outdoor activities such as sport, walking or other regular exercise.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011–12 National Health Survey show about 3 million Australians (around 13.6 percent of the population) experience back problems. Neck and back pain is a warning sign that all is not well and you need to address your posture problems as soon as you can. But how do you go about this?
How can you manage neck and back pain?
Neck and back pain can be managed by exercise. While it is important not to jump into a type of exercise that is too vigorous straight away — particularly if you have a serious complaint or health issue — gentle exercise (such as walking, swimming) may be beneficial if taken slowly. Your physiotherapist will advise you of the correct way to approach this.
There are other types of exercise — such as yoga or Pilates — which may also help. These have the benefit of strengthening muscles, improving breathing techniques and relaxing the mind. All are key stages towards recovery from back and neck pain. However professional advice must be sought before you try out these exercises and the gentler forms of the discipline are to be preferred over those that are more strenuous.
How does physiotherapy treatment and advice help?
Postural neck and back pain is a common condition in Australia and one that needs to be addressed quickly before other complications set in. One of the best methods for treating this condition is to see a physiotherapist. Physiotherapy treatment and advice can help treat and even cure postural back and neck pain.
The physiotherapist can diagnose the problem, isolate the cause of the pain and begin treatment. Knowing the exact cause of postural back and neck pain is the first step to recovery. If the pain is caused by poor posture, your physiotherapist may give you advice on how to change the way you sit and how to incorporate ergonomic furniture into your daily life, both in your office and at home. Your physiotherapist may also provide non-invasive procedures and treatment based on the latest science to help you overcome your back and neck pain.
In summary, making an appointment to see a physiotherapist should be the first stage in diagnosing the source of your pain. Along with the appropriate treatment, you will receive the right advice on how to change your lifestyle to minimise the problem. This includes a suggested exercise program which can be tailored to your age, your fitness level and to the extent of your neck and back pain.
Over 3 million Australians suffer from back and neck pain. Often this is caused by poor posture. Getting advice and treatment from your physiotherapist is an important first step to correcting this common condition.
