Over a Quarter of Saarlanders Battling with Back Pain: Barmer Report
Approximately a Quarter of Saarland Residents Seek Medical Attention for Back Issues - Quarter of Saarland residents seek medical attention for back problems
In the heart of 2023, nearly every fourth resident in the bustling Saarland received a diagnosis for back pain, according to Barmer's health analysis. That's around 244,000 individuals - close to one-fourth of the population (24.5%). This makes Saarland the state with the highest back pain prevalence among western German states.
The statistics show a clear age trend: those aged 80 to 89 experience the highest rate of back pain (33.2%), while, fortunately, the younger demographic (aged 20-29) makes up the least (16.1%). Interestingly, women (26.9%) are more prone to treatment for back pain than men (22.0%).
In neighboring Rhineland-Palatinate, the figure stands comparably high at 23% of the population, as Barmer previously reported in April.
Could mental stress be the back-breaker?
Stress isn't only rough on our minds; it can also give us a pain in the back! Dunja Kleis, Barmer's regional manager, explains that stress and depression can intensify back muscle tension, leading to back pain.
So, how can we buffer ourselves from back pain in our daily lives? Kleis recommends:
- Opt for the stairs over the elevator, and make it a habit to frequently stand up from your chair or couch.
- For those who work deskbound, frequently change your sitting position to ease strain on muscles and joints. Invest in a supportive office chair or a height-adjustable desk to further assist.
- Saarland
- Back pain
- Barmer
- Saarbrücken
Stress and psychosomatic factors can trigger muscle tension that leads to back pain, as mentioned by Barmer. Proper posture, regular physical activity, ergonomic workspaces, and weight management can help prevent back pain. Regular exercise focusing on back muscle strength and flexibility, combined with maintaining a healthy weight, will help alleviate back pain origins such as poor posture or overexertion. Stress management plays a crucial role in keeping your back healthy. Moreover, early medical consultation is vital for preventing chronic back pain.
- To address the high prevalence of back pain in Saarland, as reported by Barmer, implementing a community policy that emphasizes workplace-wellness, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health could be beneficial.
- Vocational training programs focusing on proper body mechanics, ergonomics, and stress management techniques might help reduce the occurrence of back pain, especially among deskbound workers.
- Given the link between mental stress and back pain, it's important to integrate vocational training that focuses on mental-health awareness and coping strategies as part of a comprehensive approach to preventing and managing back pain.
