We got your back

YOU are not alone if you are experiencing low back pain.

In a quick survey carried out by the Utar (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman) Fixback team in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, about 93% of those surveyed acknowledged they have low back pain, and more than half are willing to go the extra mile to seek solutions to their problems.

According to the survey, over 71.4% of respondents acknowledge that low back pain is a common trend among working adults in Malaysia.

Indeed, low back pain has become the most common cause of job-related disability.

The leading cause of low back pain is from work, either from carrying objects or sitting at a desk for too long.

The pain can go from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp prickle that can leave a person debilitated.

The pain can begin abruptly as a result of an accident, or it can develop over time through simple daily activities like inappropriate bending positions, lifting, pulling and pushing, standing with poor posture or sitting for long hours, especially at work.

The survey also showed that low back pain afflicts all ages, including young adults.

About 65% of those surveyed are convinced that they are exposed to the risk of low back pain in their workplace and reckon they will be personally affected by the problem.

Many do not take it seriously, brushing it off as just a stage that humans go through.

Because of their lack of awareness on the treatments available, many simply continue to suffer the pain, thus affecting their quality of life.

The Fixback team found that many people are ignorant of effective treatment options for low back pain.

Despite the above lack of knowledge on successful management of low back pain, it is heartening to note that the survey findings also showed that more than 74% of the respondents agree that we must be more aware of low back pain, and actively seek treatments available.

The Fixback campaign is organised by Utar’s Bachelor of Corporate Communication (Hons) final year students, currently running until Nov 18.

It aims to educate working adults in the Klang Valley about low back pain and occupational health measures, and to encourage and empower the public to stay healthy in hopes of improving and sustaining their daily productivity at work.

For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/utarfixback.