on UK government back pain research
Two government reports are summarised below:
1: an incidence survey of 5,500 UK adults in 1998 by the
National Statistics , and
2: an evaluation of 15 car back supports using 50 back-pain sufferers
in 1994 by the Medical
Devices Agency .
prevalence of back pain in Great Britain in 1998
- In 1998, 40% of adults said they had suffered from
back pain lasting more than one day in the previous 12 months.
- 15% of back pain sufferers said they were in pain throughout
- Nearly 40% of back pain sufferers consulted a GP for
help; 10% visited a practitioner of complementary medicine (osteopaths,
chiropractors and acupuncturists).
- A third of back pain sufferers said that back pain had restricted
their activity in the four weeks before the interview. Women
and older people were more likely to report that back pain had
restricted their activity than men and younger people.
- 5% of back pain sufferers aged 16 to 64 in employment
had taken time off work during the previous month because
of back pain.
- 13% of back pain sufferers aged 16 to 64 who said that
they were unemployed in the previous month mentioned
back pain as a reason why they were not in work.
rests and back supports for driver of cars
- 15 commercially available back supports were tested over a
2-week period, by 50 back-pain sufferers.
- All but two of the 15 supports were discarded by some
subjects before the trial period was completed, because of discomfort
or increased pain.
- The best supports reduced symptoms for 60% of users.
- All the supports made symptoms worse for at least one
- Three supports gave no improvement in symptoms for any
- Only 26% of subjects - who were all back-pain sufferers
- had tried a back support in their car before the trials.
- All 50 subjects found at least one back support among
the 15 that was successful in alleviating their back
- Back pain is very prevalent, but can be helped by
extra back support.
- Most people are not aware of this source of relief.
- Generally, back supports are not well designed, are
uncomfortable or even painful, and fit a minority of people
or none at all.
- A back
support of the correct shape,
size and consistency
can make a contribution to the treatment of back pain.