According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), 80 percent of Americans suffer from back pain at some point in their lives; and back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor's office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.
In a recent survey conducted by the I/H/R Research Group, 71 percent of the 800 adult respondents said they had suffered from chronic back pain for five or more years.
Armed with this knowledge, the American Chiropractic Association is urging people to think about proper back health in every aspect of their lives. Retired seniors and school children are especially vulnerable to back problems - seniors because they tend to spend more time sitting at home and school children because of the heavy backpacks they carry.
"The average person spends a great deal of time sitting in chairs and sofas. Therefore, it is very important to choose furnishings that are built using sound ergonomic principles," says Dr. Donald J. Krippendorf, president of the American Chiropractic Association. One company keeping back health in mind is Ekornes, a Norwegian furniture manufacturer. Ekornes incorporates the patented Plus System into its reclining chairs, which ensures proper head, neck and lower back support in all sitting and reclining positions. Adjustable headrests, freestanding footstools and various sized Stressless chairs also contribute to proper support for people of all sizes.
"More and more, we see consumers looking for products that blend fashion with health and well-being. The baby-boomers are now in their 50s and are expected to live much longer than the generation before them. For them, proper back health is now, and will continue to be, primary in their minds," says Trond Thomassen, director of marketing for Ekornes, Inc.
In school children, back pain isn't surprising when one considers the disproportionate amounts of weight they carry in their backpacks -- often slung over just one shoulder. "In my own practice, I have noticed a marked increase in the number of young children who are complaining about back, neck and shoulder pain," said Dr. Scott Bautch, a chiropractor from Wausau, Wis., and noted ergonomics expert. "The first question I ask these patients is, 'Do you carry a backpack to school?' Almost always, the answer is 'yes.'"
In 2003, Samsonite introduced the Chiropak backpack which helps to reduce fatigue to muscles and stress to the spine. The ergonomic school bag has contoured shoulder straps, a spinal frame, sternum strap and hip belt to ease the stress that carrying books can place on one's body. According to Dr. Bautch, "Many of these kids are carrying a quarter of their body weight over their shoulders for a large portion of the day. That's equivalent to a 180-pound man carrying around a 45-pound load."
Doctors of chiropractic have long emphasized the importance of spinal health, posture and other lifestyle factors in the body's ability to function optimally. Poor spinal health, for instance, can cause a negative chain reaction throughout the body. It can cause stress on joints, which, especially if the muscles are weak, can cause wear and permanent damage.
- Don't lift by bending over. Instead, bend your hips and knees and then squat to pick up the object. Keep your back straight and hold the object close to your body.
- Don't twist your body while lifting.
- Push, rather than pull, when moving heavy objects.
- If you must sit for long periods, take frequent breaks and stretch.
- Wear flat shoes or shoes with low heels.
- Exercise regularly. An inactive lifestyle contributes to lower back pain.
