A new study shows Britain is risking a back pain epidemic caused by unhealthy habits and sedentary lifestyles. The findings from a study by the British Acupuncture Council to mark ‘Acupuncture Awareness Week’ (3rd-10th March 2014) show that almost 80 per cent of people suffer with back pain yet admit to behaviours that put their backs under unnecessary strain*.
The study found that almost half of the nation admit to eating on their lap, 40 per cent complain they sit at a desk all day and over a third admit to watching TV or films in bed. When asked about their posture, almost a third also admitted they slouch most of the time.
Further results reveal that when it comes to dealing with back pain, 74 per cent say they repeatedly use painkillers to deal with their discomfort rather than addressing the root cause of the problem.
Painkillers often numb the end symptom and mask the problem but do not address many of the combined underlying causes of back pain. By stimulating different points of the body, traditional acupuncture can be extremely beneficial for back pain, providing long term pain relief and reducing inflammation. I find that many patients opt for the painkiller route with limited success before turning to acupuncture. Simple lifestyle changes alongside acupuncture could save millions of people taking medication every day. It’s important to recognise the impact our behaviour has on our bodies and to make sure we are fully informed about all treatment options to promote long term health and wellbeing.
National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends the therapy for persistent, non-specific lower back pain.
If you’re fed up of back pain, why not give acupuncture a go? Get in touch via my website, or pop along to the Clinic Open Day on 7th March – I’m offering free 15 minute consultations so we can have a chat and decide what would be the best way forward for you.
*One Poll survey, December 2013