02/03/2017
Back Pain Statistics And Facts
Back problems affect millions of people across the world. Whether due to sports related injuries, obesity, or old age, it is important to understand all back pain statistics and facts. This can help you secure restitution for loss of income due to treatments and surgical procedures. Employers can also understand how these common and extensive ailments can seriously impact their overall productivity and performance. From wrenches and slipped discs to swelling and bulges, there are so many causes and symptoms of lower back discomfort and tension.
According to chiropractic firms and industry monitors, back problems affect over 43% of the population at large. While most of the sufferers work in blue collar positions, these numbers also reflect the elderly and people of all ages. There are also several statistics available on how people are inflicted with chronic or recurring lower bodily pain.
While 39 percent of sufferers attribute their pain to heredity and workplace mishaps, over 50 percent of patients experience pain due to obesity. Another 22% deal with pain as a result of sudden weight gain due to pregnancy. For those with scoliosis, spinal compression, pinched nerves, and bulging or slipped discs, this accounts for the largest volume of symptoms and causes associated with this problem.
Daily or recurring back problems can severely restrict mobility and flexibility. In fact, most of the sick days taken in 2016 were mainly due to the flu, common cold, and back wrenches. Remember, the flu can easily cause back distress and tension, while impacting muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments as well.
For any employee with this common or extensive problem, workplace performance and productivity can truly be affected. No truer is this than when it comes to positions that require light to moderate lifting of boxes and other office items. These ailments also affect worker performance in positions that require constant labor. The latter includes construction and mechanical engineering, along with security and other jobs that require physical and mentally fit workers.
Sports related injuries are also synonymous with a host of back issues. This includes swelling on the back, along with spinal problems and even lack of blood flow. While varicose veins is mainly associated with blood flow issues, any tightening or straining of back muscles can also cause clots and limited flow as well. This can be extremely serious if not taken care of by a professional in a timely and effective manner.
According to U. S. Labor statistics, nearly 14 days are missed every work year due to chiropractic and spinal issues. This includes arthritis, along with migraines, neck problems, shoulder pain, and even anxiety and depression. Stress is also a leading cause of bodily pain, since nerve endings can be sensitive and literally store tension and distress for days and weeks to come. This is why yoga is considered an option to help alleviate the overall pain and tension.
In terms of revenue and income lost, the numbers are literally in the millions globally. On average, 48% of new back distress cases occur each year. This is not to say that these folks did not suffer from this before. The statistics only become visible when time off is needed from work due to pain relief regimens, surgery, and especially ER trips and hospital stays.