Back on track

Back pain is an increasingly common problem that affects almost 80% of the population at some time in their lives and costs the NHS around £480m a year, making it the number two reason for long-term absence from work in the UK.

In response to the growing number of people now suffering from back pain, TEMPUR, the leading manufacturer of pressure relieving mattresses and pillows - in association with BackCare, the charity for healthier backs - have launched a self-help guide and a fantastic new website – backadvice.info - to provide back pain advice, and practical tips to provide sufferers with relief from back pain.

The new guide - ‘Back on Track’ - addresses the causes of back pain, from medical conditions to lifestyle habits, and the different types of pain. Did you know that stress, your mattress, obesity and even smoking can all trigger or aggravate back pain?
The guide includes details of both conventional and alternative back pain treatments and how they work, as well as highlighting preventative measures that can help to reduce the risks of a recurring problem - or even stop people suffering with a back complaint in the first place.

As well as identifying good practice in the work place, the guide includes some simple back exercises that sufferers can try at home, as well as providing practical advice to help individuals manage their condition on a day-to-day basis. Handy tips include how to protect the back in the home and workplace, including posture advice and information about choosing a suitable mattress.

The new website – backadvice.info – provides extended, in-depth information and expert back advice from osteopath Geoffrey Montgomery-Smith. It also allows visitors to air their opinions on current back pain topics through regular polls.

BackCare chief executive Nia Taylor commented: “Back pain is one of the most common health conditions in the UK, with 4 out of 5 of us experiencing it at some point in our lifetime. As well as inflicting misery on the lives of those it affects, it is also a key factor for workplace absence making it even more important that reliable help and advice is widely available."

TEMPUR’s Jacqui Stefanov added: “Back pain really is a 21st Century epidemic, with back pain sufferers accounting for around 80 per cent of TEMPUR customers. TEMPUR is delighted to have joined forces with BackCare to develop this handy guide, which we are sure will help individuals identify and overcome symptoms, as well as helping to prevent problems in the future.”

For free copies of ‘Back on Track’, or for more information about TEMPUR Products visit Backadvice.info.