Number of people suffering from back pain in city triples, study finds
The number of people suffering from back pain in Brighton has tripled, a study has found.
Data on the number of prescriptions issued in the city shows a 224 per cent rise each year since 2017.
The year-on-year increase, found by Northgate Vehicle Hire, puts the region above the national average for the UK of 217 per cent.
GP Dr Hana Patel said: “The most common cause of back pain is muscular injury or sprain which can be heavily dependent on your day-to-day lifestyle.
“As a general practitioner, a high proportion of cases where patients develop back pain comes largely as a result of strain caused by activities like driving, their general posture and an all-around lack of physical fitness. Men, women, and different age groups are impacted differently or are more susceptible to back pain.
“Generally, the estimate is that around one-third of people will be affected by back pain during their adult life. Back pain generally affects women more than men due to pelvic structural differences.”
The study recommends that people suffering with back pain can take a number of steps including back stretches to alleviate symptoms.
Recommended stretches include shoulder rolls, sphinx cat stretches and cat and cow poses.