Rise in the number of young people with back and neck pain due to sedentary lifestyle of Britons experts say
Experts have said the sedentary lifestyle of Britons is contributing to a rise in the number of young people experiencing back and neck pain.
The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) warned that those under 30 are increasingly seeking help for back pain, which it associates with the large amounts of time spent sitting down.
Its survey found that nearly half (45%) of 16 to 24-year-olds said they are currently living with neck or back pain, compared to 28% of 18 to 24-year-olds last year.
Across all age groups, 86% of the 2,000 people questioned said it was a problem, compared to 77% the year before.
Almost one in four (24%) said they suffer on a daily basis.
The BCA said that with three out of five (59%) saying they spend most of their working day sitting, people need to become more aware of how to look after themselves properly.
BCA chiropractor Tim Hutchful said: "We're seeing a rise in the number of people experiencing back and neck related problems because our modern lifestyle is forcing us to stay seated and I'm concerned that the number of patients under the age of 30 coming through our doors is increasing."
Sitting up straight, taking desk breaks every 30 minutes and staying hydrated are some of the ways to protect the back and neck - along with making sure the top of the computer screen is level with the eyebrows and the chair slightly tilted forward so the knees are slightly lower than the hips.