Six out of 10 (64 per cent) of 18-29 year old working adults surveyed now have bad backs as a result of working longer hours from home, and poor hybrid working environments, according to new research.
The survey, by campaign group Mind Your Back found average working days increasing by 48 minutes worldwide as a result of the Covid pandemic. It also found that 17 per cent of those working remotely have been forced to buy their own specialist chairs, with only 11 per cent receiving work station equipment from their employers.
Back problems are being exacerbated by a lack of appropriate exercise, with a fifth of those surveyed admitting to doing no exercise at all in a working week, while just 7 per cent walked and stretched every hour. Almost half (46 per cent) blamed a lack of motivation, 37 per cent said they did not have enough time to exercise, while 26 per cent said they did not have the energy for it.
As well as general back pains, people also reported lower back pains as well as neck and shoulder blade pains.
Mind Your Back UK advisor and GP Dr Gill Jenkins says: “For the six in ten Brits who have been mostly or always working from home during the pandemic and are now hybrid working, almost half don’t have constant access to a table and supportive chair during their working day. And unfortunately, 20 per cent have to work while sitting on a sofa or bed. This plays absolute havoc with posture and spine health.
“Caring for our backs can reduce stress and boost energy so we can live our lives to the full, without pains and aches holding us back. We can’t hurry the lockdown easing but we can do things at home to care for our backs.”
Mind Your Back recommends five key steps to improve back health, mobility and flexibility. These ‘STEPS’ are: stretch, therapy, exercise, posture and strengthen.