Back pain strikes the office
Back pain strikes the office
Sedentary jobs are causing back pain in over two-thirds of office staff, according to a union poll. The online survey of 1,905 British workers for physios' union CSP found 70 per cent say they have experienced pain in their back, neck or upper limbs as a result of sitting at their desk or workstation. And while physiotherapists recommend people take a break from their workstations every 20 minutes, the poll found most respondents are chained to their desks for 97 minutes or more at a time. Almost a quarter (23 per cent) do not get up for a quick break for three hours or more, while 5 per cent remain seated for over six hours. CSP's Sarah Bazin said: 'Back pain is still rife in the workplace, resulting in sickness absence and reduced performance. Many cases could easily be prevented, which would save money for businesses. Physiotherapists know that back pain and other work-related upper-limb disorders can become debilitating if left untreated. Physiotherapists are best placed to advise employees and employers on how they can be avoided.' According to Bazin: 'With more and more of us in sedentary occupations, it is vital that employers and the government prioritise the health of the workforce by investing in thorough risk assessments and swift access to rehabilitation services.' Public service union UNISON welcomed the CSP campaign. 'Living with pain should not be an option, especially when employers could take action to prevent it,' said national health and safety officer Hope Daley.
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