Back Care Awareness Week promotes individuals to prioritise their spinal health and aims to equip people with the knowledge and tools to prevent back problems and improve overall wellbeing.

Back Problem statistics in Australia (AIHW, 2024)
Back problems relate to an array of conditions related to the bones, joints, connective tissues, muscles and nerves of the back and an impact any area of the spine including the neck (cervical), upper back (thoracic) and lower back (lumbar) in addition to the sacrum and coccyx.
- Around four million Australian’s were estimated to live with back problems in 2022.
- Back problems are the third leading cause of disease burden in Australia.
- In 2021-22, there were 177,000 hospitalisations with a principal diagnosis of back problems.
- 72% of people with a back problem were estimated to be living with one or more other chronic conditions.
- In 2022, the top two comorbidities for those with back problems included mental and behavioural conditions (43%) and arthritis (34%).
- In 2022, those living in a lower socioeconomic area were more likely to be living with a back problem in comparison to those in a higher socioeconomic area.
- In 2022, those living with a disability were found to e four times more likely to be living with back problems, compared to those without a disability.
Examples of back problems can include:
- Degenerative disc disease.
- Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal.
- Scoliosis.
- Myofascial pain.
- Spondylolisthesis.
- Osteoporosis can contribute to fractures of the vertebrae.
- Infections of the bones in the spine or discs.
- Tumours.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Non-specific back pain which can be due to reduced psychological wellbeing, poor sleep, reduced activity levels, being overweight or obese, smoking.
Non-specific back pain is the most common presentation of back pain, equating to around 90% of cases, with specific causes of back pain equating to around 5% of cases (Musculoskeletal Health Australia, 2023).
Impact on Quality of Life
Living with a back problem can lead to a reduced physical and psychological wellbeing and increase the risk of developing further comorbidities. This is due to the significant impact it can have on an individual’s ability to engage in activities of daily living, workplace duties, family and social events and hobbies and recreational activities. In 2014-15, individuals with chronic back problems experienced higher levels of psychological distress, compared with the general population (6.8%, in comparison to 3.7%), (AIHW, 2016).
Reducing the risk of developing back problems
To assist in decreasing the risk of developing back problems or reduce symptoms related to a back problem, being physically active, focusing on improving psychological wellbeing, maintaining a healthy diet, not smoking and decreasing alcohol consumption, improving sleep, engaging in social activities and making ergonomic adjustments within the workplace can assist (World Health Organisation, 2024). However, it is important to note, that there are non-modifiable risk factors that place some individuals at a higher risk of developing a back problem.
How can Uplift Exercise Physiology Help?
The team at Uplift Exercise Physiology can aid individuals in designing and implementing an individualised physical activity program that is tailored to goals and specific presentations. Implementing a physical activity program can assist in managing an individuals back problem and associated symptomology, therefore allowing them to increase their capacity to engage in activities of daily living, hobbies, recreational activities and workplace duties.
Written by Uplift Exercise Physiologist, Mykaila Walls
References
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023, December 14). Back problems. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/back-problems
- Back Pain — Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment | MSK Australia. (2018, May 8). Musculoskeletal Health Australia . https://muscha.org/back-pain/bulletin 137 Impacts of chronic back problems. (2016). https://www.apsoc.org.au/pdf/publications/20160816_aihw_impacts_of_chronic_back_pain.pdf
- World Health Organisation. (2023, June 19). Low Back Pain. Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/low-back-pain