Rise in aches and pains due to lockdown
Lockdown has caused a rise in aches and pains – with more than a third of Britons experiencing an increase in acute pains affecting their back, head, and joints, according to a new survey...
ARECENT poll of 2,000 UK adults revealed 36% have experienced increased pain over the last six months. And 25% put their new lockdown pain down to a poor office or workstation set-up at home. Back ache (36%) is the biggest problem for Britons followed by headaches (34%), joint pains (27%), neck aches (26%) and muscle pain (24%).
In the past, the lifestyle choices of Britons have worsened lower back pain prevalence. Although over a third of Britons suffer pain, just over half (53%) regard exercise as an important part of keeping fit and healthy, while 57% say they lead a completely sedentary life – mostly sitting, reading, playing video games, watching TV or using a computer for most of the day, with little or no vigorous exercise, including walking.
The figures show that people who lead sedentary lifestyles are more than twice as likely to suffer back pain (22% compared with 47%); once they have pain, nearly three quarters resign themselves to a sedentary lifestyle.
During the pandemic, the combination of a lack of access to treatment and diagnostics, poor guidance from doctors, as well as sedentary lifestyles caused a large segment of the UK population to live with painful symptoms which could be avoided with early treatment and good advice. Patients have been twice as likely to be guided towards painkillers (60%) than to exercise (25%), this was exacerbated by lockdown restrictions preventing the public from accessing leisure centres and gyms. Conversely, more than a third of back pain sufferers said they are fearful of doing any kind of physical activity or exercise. Nuffield Health doctors say that for the vast majority of patients, early pain management combined with exercise or physiotherapy could be vital in preventing long-term problems.
Mr Himanshu Sharma, Consultant Spinal Surgeon from the Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital, says: “As impacted by the pandemic, we now regularly see spinal patients with much more worse-off neck pain, shooting arm pain, lower back pain, sciatica and/or neurological symptoms. In case of worsening of your spinal condition along with compromised quality of life, you might want to get your problem(s) assessed in a timely manner, investigated as appropriate and guided further regarding best possible treatment option, including spinal injections or spinal operations. The good news is
that Nuffield Hospital is resuming its full capacity.”
Nuffield Health Doctors are also urging patients to help themselves, given the findings of the research. They suggest: Build regular exercise into your daily routine – ‘Couch potatoes’, i.e. Britons who lead a sedentary lifestyle, primarily watching TV or playing video games with little or no exercise, are more than twice as likely to suffer back pain (22% compared with 47%); while 74% of back pain sufferers lead sedentary lifestyles once they have pain. Those who don’t exercise tend to suffer more from severe back pain (56%) than those who do, and have always done so (44%). Now that the gyms are open again, it is easier for patients to access exercise classes, swimming pools and gym facilities. Take regular breaks at work – 36% of back pain sufferers do not take regular short breaks at work. Nearly two thirds (64%) of the people surveyed said their workplace doesn’t provide any kind of support or advice to help them with their problem. Employers are legally obliged to minimise the risk of employees developing back pain or making existing back pain worse.
Talking to managers about how they can help you through risk assessment and making changes where needed can be beneficial.
Employers can’t be with you all the time though, and for those who are planning to continue their home working, there is a risk that those workers won’t take enough breaks during the day. Home workers must prioritise time during their day to get up and move about, as if they were in the workplace.
Ruth Andrews, Senior Physiotherapist from the Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital, said: “Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is often associated with ineffective care.
“The drivers of this disability and poor care can often be attributed to unhelpful beliefs about low back pain, which may contribute to a negative mindset, leading to pain vigilance, fear in engaging in valued activities and these beliefs are associated with greater levels of pain, disability, work absenteeism, medication use and healthcare seeking.
“Actively working on a positive mindset and optimising physical and mental health will improve clinical outcomes”.
Depending on the type of surgery your consultant recommends, you will be in hospital for two to three days. The usual recovery time is eight to 12 weeks. Nuffield Health Exeter and Plymouth Hospitals follow up with spinal patients at the two-week mark, when they come back to have their stitches removed.
It’s also common to see your consultant again as an outpatient, so they can check how you’re getting on. Further physiotherapy sessions are based on clinical need and vary from patient to patient.
Your care continues after surgery with Recovery Plus
Our comprehensive post-operative care at Nuffield Health Hospitals is supported by our unique Recovery Plus Programme. Recovery Plus brings together a spectrum of healthcare services from our Hospitals and Fitness & Wellbeing Gyms, providing our patients with the support they need to get well and stay healthy after their surgical procedure.
Recovery Plus is a personal recovery programme – patients receive a health check, exercise and diet advice, together with a three-month membership at a Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Gym and their own recovery coach.
Covid-19
Throughout the pandemic, Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital and Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital – like all other independent healthcare providers – have supported the NHS, closing their private practices.
However, both hospitals have now reopened for private patients and are Covid secure. Find out more on www.nuffieldhealth.com/ or contact Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital on 0300 131 1422 / Nuffield Health Exeter hospital on 01392 262 110.