Spinal Health Week
Live Better, We’ve Got Your Back
Australians are living longer and we want to be healthy, active and capable of enjoying those extra years.
Unfortunately, back pain is one of the top three causes of disability in Australia.
Instead of enjoying retirement when you plan for it, back pain can force some people into early retirement, which could cause the loss of income and quality of their retirement years.
Over a quarter of a million Australians are being forced into early retirement because of back pain or arthritic pain.
Back pain is a common ailment for residents of the Northern Rivers and one in eleven residents can be expected to have back problems this year.
Seeing a chiropractor can help reduce your back pain and correct your posture, which may prevent you from retiring too early.
Chiropractic care is an effective management of different types of back pain.
The Live Better, We’ve Got Your Back campaign launches Spinal Health Week (19-25 May, 2014), a national campaign by the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (CAA), to draw attention to the size of the problem of back pain and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle in Australia.
Dr Chen Tay (Chiropractor) has called upon Northern Rivers residents to take up the challenge of improving their lifestyle habits to better care for their backs.
“Improving our postural fitness, such as not sitting down for too long, sitting correctly, and using proper techniques when bending or lifting can help to avoid damage to your spine,” Dr Chen said.
“Proper posture keeps everything in its natural position which reduces wear and tear of joints and relieves stress, improves health and enhances your appearance.”
Putting up with back pain can lead to avoiding exercise and physical activity, and the effects can lead to mental health issues (including depression), and dissatisfaction in the workplace.
“Low self-esteem can affect the way we feel about our bodies, including the way we carry ourselves,” Dr Chen said.
“Poor posture places strain on the spine, thereby leading to potential back pain and poor spinal health.” Ways to improve your posture include:
- Try standing when you’re on the phone for extended periods
- During meetings take regular stretch breaks
- While you’re working at your computer take short breaks to stretch and stand
- Check and adjust your position regularly
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator where possible
“Spinal Health Week is a great reminder to make an appointment with your local CAA chiropractor to assess your spinal health and discuss how a more active lifestyle will improve your overall wellbeing,” Dr Chen said.
Chiropractors are five year university trained and can analyse posture and spinal problems.
They can also provide expert care, lifestyle and exercise advice. Over two million Australians have back problems each year.
The consequences of back pain are serious – it affects families, lifestyle and productivity.
People with back problems report 2.5 times more disorders, such as depression.
The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (CAA) believe that more investment in chiropractic care and research is necessary.
To learn more about the CAA campaign visit www.spinalhealthweek.com.au For advice on how to Sit Right or to download the free widget, visit www.sitright.com.au
For a posture assessment or to make an appointment, contact Discover Chiropractic on (02) 6686 0266.
Dr Chen Tay is a member of the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia.
Note: Further data on the size of the problem of back pain can be found at the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare http://www.aihw.gov.au/back-problems
About the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia
The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (National) Limited (CAA) ( www.chiropractors.asn.au ) the peak body representing chiropractors. An underlying principle of chiropractic is “healthier spine, healthier life.”
By offering expert, drug-free spinal health care and lifestyle advice, chiropractors help Australians lead and maintain healthy lives.
With more than 3,000 members, the CAA is the largest chiropractic health body in Australia, and coordinates its efforts with autonomous CAA state and territory organisations.