The Real Impact of Back Injuries

More Australians under 65 seek medical help from their GP for back problems than they do for heart disease or asthma.

Back pain and disc problems become a major health issue as early as 25 years of age. It is not just a work related or older person’s disease.

Doctor’s visit statistics indicate that over 2,998,000 Australians reported back problems in 2004-2005. That was 15% of our population.

The male to female ratio of people affected is 7:3.

It is estimated that in 2008, nearly $1.4 billion was spent on back injuries. That has doubled since 1999.

In 2007-2008 almost a quarter of all ‘serious’ claimed Workers Compensation injuries were back injuries.

18% of WorkCover injury claims were from muscular stress (body stressing) while lifting objects. An additional 15% of claims arose from carrying or putting down objects incorrectly. When assessed in retrospect, they could have been avoided with adequate lifting techniques, equipment, staffing and training.

Time off work and reduced labour force numbers are a significant cost to Australian businesses. For example, fractures of the vertebral column result in the longest time off from work and highest cost of any workplace injury.

The emotional impact of long term pain and disability on individuals and their families is another social cost which largely goes unrecognised. It affects the care children receive and other community activities the individual would otherwise participate in. Long term unemployment and chronic pain can result in the breakdown of the family unit.

Back and neck injuries also profoundly impact an individual’s sense of wellbeing and can lead to further health problems such as addiction and depression.

The key to reducing the number of back and spinal injuries is education!

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