Soaring levels of back pain an ‘economic and public health emergency’

The UK is facing an “economic and public health emergency” due to soaring levels of back or neck pain, a new report states.
The research shows almost one million people are out of work due to back or neck pain. The research collated by UK-based med tech company Alvica Medical also shows 18 percent of back pain sufferers say their condition has worsened due to long waitlists and inability to access treatment.
The news is likely to fuel concern over the country’s economic inactivity rates which have soared since the Covid pandemic and continue to grow year on year.
It is estimated there has been an increase of 55 percent in sickness absence rates since 2019.

Alvica Medical founder and CEO Carolina Fransen, said: “With almost 1 million now out of work due to back or neck pain this has become both a public health and economic emergency…Coupled with rising obesity rates, which are often linked to musculoskeletal issues, the demand on the healthcare system has become unsustainable.”

She added: “It is alarming to see so many people unable to access the care they need. Our research highlights how long NHS waitlists are leaving sufferers to manage their pain alone, with many turning to pain medication as a temporary fix. This not only increases the risk of dependency, but also leads to worsening conditions that could have been prevented with early intervention.”

Ida Norgaard, one of the country’s leading chiropractors based Victoria, London, said: “Most back pain is treatable, especially if caught early. We are currently seeing a huge rise of musculoskeletal problems, exacerbated by poor posture due to modern lifestyles, lack of movement and a shift to work from home at desk spaces that are not suitable for prolonged sitting.”