Tens of thousands of children are facing a lifetime of back pain misery

Nov. 29, 2013 - PRLog -- MORE than two-thirds of primary school children have reported experiencing back or neck pain over the course of one year, according to a recent study. Sixty-four per cent of secondary school children had suffered problems over a similar period and almost 90 per cent of the children had not reported their pain to anyone.

These shocking results were revealed in a questionnaire-based study of 204 school children and underline a growing concern for the effects of computers, games consoles, smartphones and iPad-style tablets on young people’s developing bodies. The children's activities could lead to debilitating health problems that have been described by one expert as a "healthcare time bomb".

Research shows that as many half of all 14-year-olds have experienced back pain. This has many consequences, including absence from school, low self-esteem, difficulty taking exercise and poor concentration. Arthritic changes have been seen in some 15-year-olds and adolescent back pain sufferers are four times more likely to experience back pain as an adult.

Eighty per cent of children in the UK regularly carry bags that are up to 20 per cent of their body weight, according to research from the charity BackCare. Studies show children should not carry more than 10 per cent of their body weight and that anything over 15 per cent can be damaging.

The Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board (http://www.abm.wales.nhs.uk/) in Wales reported that the number of children receiving treatment for back and neck pain recently doubled over a period of just six months. The percentage of paediatric referrals to physiotherapy for back/neck pain increased from 2.1 per cent in September 2011 to 4.5 per cent in March 2012.

Lorna Taylor BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MCSP, HPC said, “Current lifestyles and the increase in technology are having detrimental effects on our children’s musculoskeletal health and if not addressed in school and at home now, will have far reaching effects for our children, future working generation and society. This is a healthcare time bomb.

“It's vital we instil good habits and provide resources so children can be comfortable, be able to concentrate, reach their full potential and work and play sport as they decide, and not be limited by preventable disability and a life in pain.”

Ms Taylor was speaking at a conference organised by Cardinus Risk Management where an e-learning programme was launched, designed to educate children about safe working. Healthy Working MOVE explains to young people how using electronic devices, carrying school bags and adopting different postures when working and relaxing can affect their bodies. The e-learning programme will be offered free-of-charge to every primary school, secondary school and college in the UK and teaches children how to use technology comfortably and safely.

It has been developed by Cardinus Risk Management in association with the Health and Safety Laboratory, an agency of the Health and Safety Executive. The e-learning is based on the award-winning course Healthy Working that helps to protect adult workers around the world.

The information, advice and guidance in Healthy Working MOVE has been redesigned and re-presented in ways that will have strong appeal for children and young people. A version for the under 12s is available along with a more grown-up version for the 12 to 18-year-old age group.

Jon Abbott, managing director – ergonomics and safety at Cardinus, said, “For many years we have recognised the risk of ergonomics injuries to adults in the workplace and the DSE regulations are designed to reduce risk. Our younger generations are using technology more regularly at school and home and yet we are failing to recognise the risks. It cannot be right that we work so hard to protect the working population but fail to recognise the impact technology has on children at a critical stage of their physiological development.

“I am delighted that Cardinus is in a position to help. Along with our partners at the Health and Safety Laboratory, we are in a great position to help protect children. Healthy Working MOVE is our first response to the problem and we have taken the decision to make it available free to education establishments across the country.”

Back pain among children is not new. There have been previous studies that showed similar issues. In 1994 a study of school children in Scandinavia revealed that 41.6 per cent suffered back pain while sitting in class; 30 per cent reported pain after sitting for less than one hour and 70 per cent suffering after sitting for longer than two hours. Twenty years on very little has been done to protect children and the statistics appear to be getting worse.

Cardinus Risk Management has been developing effective display screen equipment (DSE) and ergonomics programmes since 1995. Its customers include many of the world’s leading organisations, central government departments and unions.

The Cardinus approach to effective DSE management is to apply simple programmes that provide a modular, adaptable solution. Healthy Working, the innovative online DSE assessment and e-learning solution, provides award-winning solutions that are fully endorsed by the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management.

Healthy Working MOVE takes all the expertise that went into Healthy Working and presents it in a format that young people will enjoy and that is available completely free of charge to all schools and colleges. For more information, schools and colleges should telephone 020 7469 0200.

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Notes to Editors

Cardinus directors, experts and consultants are available for interview and quotes on industry issues. The full range of Cardinus consultancy services can be seen on its website, www.cardinus.com (http://www.cardinus.com/#_blank)or you can telephone 0207 469 0200 (UK) 1-866-966-3420 (US).

About Cardinus

Cardinus Risk Management is part of AmWINS Group, Inc (http://www.amwins.com/). which has 70 locations across 17 countries, including 50 in the United States. With more than 2,000 employees, AmWINS is an amalgamation of more than 25 wholesale brokerage, underwriting and group benefit operations.

Cardinus Risk Management Limited, 4^th Floor, 3 East Grinstead House, Wood Street, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UZ. Cardinus Risk Management Limited, 10 Flag Business Exchange, Vicarage Farm Road, Peterborough, Cambs PE1 5SL. For further information please call Cardinus Risk Management Limited on 020 7469 0200 or email info@cardinus.com (mailto:info@cardinus.com#_blank)