Research shows that at least two million people in the Netherlands suffer from back or neck pain. Last year, over 1.1 million women and 858,600 men were known to the GP with back or neck pain, recent figures from the RIVM show. Never before has the two-million mark been broken.
Last year, there were 80,000 more people with neck and back pain than the year before. That amounts to over 1,500 new cases per week. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment says this figure is still an underestimate and the actual number of people suffering from neck and back pain is even higher. This is because part of the patients go directly to the physiotherapist without a referral from the GP. In addition, a proportion of people with back pain do not use any care at all.
Low back pain
The most common complaint in men who report to the GP and to our practice is lower back pain without radiation. In women, back pain in general is the most common. When looking at specific back complaints, people suffer most from herniated discs. Complaints increase as people get older: people over 85 suffer most from back pain.
It is difficult to pinpoint a specific cause for back pain. Age, physical fitness and strength of back and abdominal muscles, among others, play a role in the development of back pain. Physically demanding work, lifting, bending, twisting, pushing and pulling also play a role in the development of back pain, as do standing, kneeling and squatting work.
Tablet neck
Working behind a screen is a risk factor for developing neck pain. Research is currently ongoing to determine whether the increase since 2013 in the number of children coming to the physiotherapist with neck and back pain is caused by tablets and smartphones.
Do you suffer from back or neck pain?
Our practice specialises in treating back and/or neck pain. We offer various treatments.
Source: https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/zeker-twee-miljoen-mensen-hebben-last-van-hun-rug-of-nek~a286ed03/
