More Young People with Neck and Back Pain
The generation of Facebook and smartphones is starting to suffer from the tolls of a sedentary life. New research suggests that almost third of people under the age of 35 experience persistent back and neck pain.
A new study, conducted on behalf of the British Chiropractic Association, showed that 65% of people aged 16-34 years old have suffered from back or neck pain, and 28% experienced the pain for over a month.
According to the BCA, many chiropractors have begun to notice an increasing number of young people suffering from neck and back pain, and they suspect a sedentary lifestyle is largely to blame.
The growing prevalence of musculoskeletal problems doesn't just stem from more time on Twitter and iPads however. The researchers found that 40% of young people spend most of their time at work sitting, and 32% said that extended periods of sitting can trigger back pain.
The majority (68%) said their back or neck pain affected their ability to sleep and exercise, while 22% said the pain impacted their social activities.
Despite these statistics, more than a third (39%) of young people with neck or back pain said they had not visited a doctor for their symptoms. Unfortunately, ignoring these initial symptoms may lead to ongoing back and neck problems later in life. Seeking early treatment from a chiropractor could relieve pain while preventing you from developing chronic conditions. In addition to chiropractic adjustments and soft-tissue therapies, a chiropractor can provide posture assessment and advice on using exercise to prevent pain.
Studies show that manual therapies like massage and chiropracticcan significantly ease symptoms in people with sedentary lifestyles like office workers.
Reference
"Don't sit back." British Chiropractic Association. Press Release. http://www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk/dont-sit-back-196-news.aspx
