World of back health

"No posture is so good that it should be held for a long time," says Ulrich Kuhnt, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Association of German Back Schools (BdR) e. V. and Head of the Back School Hanover: "The next position is always the best," says the expert. If you just sit and move the mouse with your hand (even in poor lighting conditions), you are just as "poor" as the hairdresser who stands on a hard salon floor all day and swings the scissors. Such standing activities put a lot of strain on joints, intervertebral discs and back muscles. Balancing movements, massages and a fitness programme prevent pain and thus avoid absences from work.

Anyone who moves a lot in their job should also pay attention to their back health - such as a carer who helps frail, sometimes heavy people to stand up, move or eat. Just like a bricklayer who carries heavy stones and is constantly on the move, a carer is at risk of repeating certain procedures with unequal physical strain.

On the contrary: Our spine depends on us challenging it," explains Dr Breithecker. "Back strains are physically one-sided, repetitive movements with sometimes unphysiological lifting or lever forces." After a certain period of time, they can overload our back and cause back pain, poor posture or even secondary problems such as neck pain and headaches. Dr Breithecker therefore recommends that all physical workers learn back-friendly techniques for lifting, packing and carrying and - where possible - use aids. He knows: "Of course, the unphysiological sequences in everyday life cannot usually be completely avoided." Compensatory gymnastics helps to avoid muscular imbalances. "This includes strengthening the core and abdominal muscles to build up an effective muscle corset as well as relaxation exercises." Regular exercise - which in this case means several times a week - is the most effective method of preventing lower back pain for all occupational groups. The training not only helps to prevent pain attacks. It also has a positive effect on the psyche.

But it's not just employees who should take care of their health - employers also have a duty to do so, according to Kuhnt: "Employers can do a lot to look after their employees' health, for example by offering an ergonomic workplace," explains Kuhnt. Aktion Gesunder Rücken e. V. certifies back-friendly products for the office, home office, industry and trade for ergonomic workplace design. "In addition, health workshops and seminars provide background knowledge on back-friendly working," explains Kuhnt. Incentivising more physical activity at work also helps employees in their everyday working lives.