Musculoskeletal Conditions
Nationally, Musculoskeletal conditions are one of the biggest causes of sickness absence, and the single biggest condition within that is lower back pain. In fact, during 2022, 1 in 3 requests for Physiotherapy assistance from Schools Advisory Service was due to back pain. Lower back pain can present itself with different levels of severity from intermittent, discomforting aches to constant disabling pain, and this may be with or without the horrid pain of sciatica, which is pain caused by an irritated nerve.
Some symptoms of a lower back injury may include:
- Morning stiffness
- Difficultly when bending or putting socks/shoes on
- Painful to bend or twist
- Painful to cough or sneeze
- Discomfort when turning in bed or sat for a long duration
- Pain can ease when active or lying down
Causes of lower back pain can develop from heavy lifting or a twisting movement which has resulted in a sudden injury. However, more commonly it comes from a sustained poor posture over a period of months or years. Poor posture creates ‘mechanical pain’, which is sustained from overstretching the soft tissues in the back, especially within the discs: the structures that separate and connect the bones of the back and act as shock absorbers within the spine.
It’s Simple Maths
In different positions, the loading on the spinal discs varies;
- When lying down; 30 per square inch loading, about your average car tyre pressure.
- When stood; 100 psi loading.
- However, in a stooped position; it’s 150 psi loading.
- If sat down, particularly if slouched; it’s 250 psi – 350 psi loading.
Some Tips for Good Posture
- Find a chair with good back (lumbar) support to prevent slouching.
- Ensure the chair fits right under the desk and if there are arms in the way, remove them.
- Avoid perching on the edge of the chair.
- With your elbows tucked by your side you should be able to reach the mouse and keyboard.
- Use a wireless mouse.
- Use a laptop raiser to elevate the laptop screen, prevent “peering into it” or use a separate keyboard with a raised screen.
- Take regular breaks from sitting.
For further information on back care, please see here 
If you have any back pain concerns, please contact our dedicated wellness team – 01773 814403
Mike Hodgson – Lead Physiotherapist, SAS
physio@uk-sas.co.uk