Back pain is relatively common and one of the main reasons for absence from work in the United Kingdom. An estimated 4.5 million working days (full-day equivalent) were lost in 2004/05 through musculoskeletal disorders mainly affecting the back . On average, each person suffering took an estimated 17.4 days off in that 12 month period. Back pain is a cause of long term disability and of benefit dependency. Although painful, back pain is normally not serious; in most cases the pain lasts from a few days to a few weeks and usually clears up after about six weeks. Back pain can affect people of any age but is more common between the ages of 35-55 years; also women are more likely to need treatment for back pain than men. The 2003/5 Welsh Health Survey asked adult respondents if they were currently being treated for back pain. Merthyr Tydfil has the second highest recorded levels of back pain in Wales at 15.4% compared to a Welsh average of 12.2%
Back pain is relatively common and one of the main reasons for absence from work in the United Kingdom. An estimated 4.5 million working days (full-day equivalent) were lost in 2004/05 through musculoskeletal disorders mainly affecting the back . On average, each person suffering took an estimated 17.4 days off in that 12 month period. Back pain is a cause of long term disability and of benefit dependency.
Although painful, back pain is normally not serious; in most cases the pain lasts from a few days to a few weeks and usually clears up after about six weeks. Back pain can affect people of any age but is more common between the ages of 35-55 years; also women are more likely to need treatment for back pain than men.
The 2003/5 Welsh Health Survey asked adult respondents if they were currently being treated for back pain. Merthyr Tydfil has the second highest recorded levels of back pain in Wales at 15.4% compared to a Welsh average of 12.2%
Welsh Backs
'Welsh Backs is a joint initiative developed in response to Health Challenge Wales - the nation's challenge to improve health. Welsh Backs aims to reduce the physical burden faced by over two thirds of the population of Wales who will at some time suffer from back pain. Welsh Backs is based on similar initiatives in Scotland and Australia that have been successful in changing beliefs about back pain.
Hosted By Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Artwork and design supplied by Prydderch Jones Designs http://www.prydderchjones.co.uk