The world over, back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality, shows the Global Burden of Disease Study
A simple intervention, correctly implemented and gradually scaled could reduce one of the most prevalent afflictions the world over. Walking, according to an article published in The Lancet can help alleviate back pain.
According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, globally, back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality. In 2020, 619 million people suffered from lower back pain globally. By 2050, 843 million people are projected to fall into this category.
“An individualised, progressive walking and education intervention significantly reduced low back pain recurrence. This accessible, scalable, and safe intervention could affect how low back pain is managed,” researchers reported in The Lancet. The study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia.
The risk factors that contribute to the high incidence of back pain are work-related ergonomic factors, obesity, and smoking. The GBD study also shows low back pain increases with age and the peak age impacted is 85.
“Approximately 70% of individuals experience a recurrence of low back pain within 12 months following recovery from an episode.2Recurrences substantially contribute to the disease and economic burden on individuals and society. Individuals experiencing recurrences bear higher medical costs and longer work absenteeism than those without recurrence,” researchers report.
