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OWER back pain is one of the top five reasons for workplace absenteeism in South Africa. It is also one of the leading causes of disability, according to Alexander Forbes Health.

Office workers can spend up to eight hours in a seated position that is not natural. “Ergonomic office furniture, regular breaks and wellness programmes in an office environment can alleviate incidence rates,” said Dr Fathima Docrat, medical adviser at Alexander Forbes Health Management.

Psychosocial factors also appear to play a role. “People with depression, increased level of stress and anxiety are more prone to lower back pain,” she said.

A study by the World Health Organisation revealed that 37% of lower back pain cases were caused by occupational risk factors.

“Lower back pain is causing significant financial loss and a decrease in quality of life, which in turn affects performance at work,” said Docrat.

Up to seven out of 10 people could expect to experience lower back pain during their lives, with the likelihood peaking between the age of 35 and 55. “As the population ages, pain will increase substantially due to the deterioration of bones and cartilage in the back,” she said.

Docrat said work that involved heavy lifting and unnatural body postures resulted in “preventable” back pain.

“Manual labourers and professions that involve lifting, such as nurses, need to be taught correct lifting procedures and given aids to assist in heavy lifting. In addition, workplace monitoring and regular reminders need to be implemented to prevent injuries.”

With the modifiable risk factors identified, the most promising approach for employers to help their staff included exercise, appropriate education and support at the workplace.

“Each industry needs to tailor its own programme to form the foundation of an integrated wellness approach. With continued momentum and monitoring, this will result in a happier and healthier workplace,” Docrat said. there, a few expertly placed distasteful jokes, a bad shirt worn too often, and voilà, the women would do his dirty work for him. “I’m sorry Dave, it’s not you, it’s me. Can we still be friends?”

It turns what could otherwise be an ugly tearful break up into a slightly grey area, with the opportunity for a few last pity-screws.

My friend Nomfundo recently told me about another technique I’d never heard of before. She says: “In Xhosa culture they don’t break up with you, they want to leave the door open. Plus it’s bad luck to make a woman cry over you.”

This one guy Nomfundo dated moved to Jozi for a job. After a bit she just forgot about him. Until he contacted her out of the blue a solid eight years later and simply picked up where they’d left off. Calling her “baby”, sending naughty texts, making dates. When she confronted him about his sudden reappearance, he said, “But we’re still going out, you never broke up with me.”

Smart move, player. If you never actually close the door all the way on a relationship, then you never make a woman cry over you, and then you can always get lucky. LS@paigen