Low back pain: what is it and how to prevent it in your employees?

Health / Date: 01-17-2025

Low back pain, the pain that occurs in the lower back, is a problem that affects up to 65% of people annually and can reach 84% at some point in their lives. That's right, more than half of the population has suffered or will suffer from this pain that hinders the body and productivity .

But what really causes this back pain that disrupts the daily lives of so many people? And what’s more, is there a way to prevent it from becoming a frequent occurrence in the workplace? If you want to keep your team free from this problem, keep reading!

What is low back pain?

Low back pain is not simply back pain; it is a warning sign your frame sends out indicating that something isn't always proper. This circumstance specially refers to ache inside the decrease spine , a crucial area that bears most of your body's weight.

This pain in the working environment can therefore be caused by bad posture or even overuse and stress within daily activities. Thus, low back pain creates more absenteeism cases , and this is when the employees do not go out to perform certain activities because they have to stop their activities sometimes to recover.

Low back pain recognition is merely an understanding but more of origin and effects experienced on the individuals and their workers.

What are the causes?

Understanding the causes of lower back pain is essential to creating a healthy and productive work environment. The reasons for this problem vary and can include both daily activities and workplace habits. The main factors are:

poor posture — sitting for long periods of time or maintaining poor posture while sitting can put pressure on your spine;
weight lifting — incorrect movements when lifting heavy objects can cause strain on the lower back;
sedentary lifestyle — lack of physical activity weakens the muscles that support the spine, increasing the risk of pain;
stress — emotional tension can manifest as physical pain, especially in the lower back.

What are the symptoms of low back pain?

The symptoms of low lower back ache are as various as their causes, reflecting the complexity of the situation and the importance of paying attention to the alerts the frame sends. Therefore, figuring out them early is essential to adopting preventive measures and effective remedies, minimizing the effect on employee well-being and productivity.

The most common symptoms include:

constant or intermittent pain in the lower back — it may be sharp and intense or a constant, nagging ache;
stiffness in the lower back — difficulty fully flexing or extending the spine;
decreased mobility — trouble moving around, especially when bending or turning;
pain that radiates to the legs — in more severe cases, the pain may extend to the buttocks or even reach the legs.

How long can a low back pain attack last?

Duration may vary for different cases of a bout of low back pain based on the causative factor or agent and the treatments applied. While some patients find that their bout of low back pain lasts a few days as a visitor, others find theirs lingering on to weeks.

In chronic cases, back pain can persist for months , requiring ongoing medical attention and lifestyle adjustments. The key is to recognize and treat symptoms early, preventing a temporary flare-up from becoming a lasting problem.

How to prevent low back pain in your employees?

Maintaining a healthful and efficient paintings surroundings is without delay related to the well-being of your crew. And low lower back ache, because it's far the sort of not unusual hassle, can drastically affect the productivity and first-class of lifestyles of your employees.

Below, take a look at out the primary measures you ought to adopt to save you your employees from laid low with this problem.

Invest in ergonomics

Invest in ergonomic furniture, such as adjustable chairs and height-appropriate desks, that allow for optimal posture . Also, teach your team to keep their spines straight, their shoulders relaxed, and their feet firmly on the floor, and encourage breaks to stand up and move around.

Do not forget to adjust your monitor so that the top is aligned with your eyes; this will stop your head from tilting and straining. Very effective practice promotes a change of posture, alternation between sitting, standing and walking, as this keeps one's body very active and tension free.

Encourage physical activity

Encouraging your team to exercise regularly, both inside and outside the workplace, contributes significantly to their physical health. Including workplace exercise in your daily routine is an effective strategy that, in addition to preventing injuries, fosters integration among team members.

Another good practice is to facilitate an environment that supports physical activity, by providing bike racks, showers and changing rooms, encouraging employees to adopt a more active lifestyle , whether it's cycling to work or exercising during their lunch break.

Promote awareness

By delivering lectures and workshops, you educate your staff about the causes and symptoms, as well as how to effectively prevent this condition. Complementing this approach with the distribution of informative material, such as brochures and booklets , reinforces the message and provides employees with valuable resources to consult.

Additionally, creating a dedicated communication channel allows employees to ask questions and report problems related to low back pain, promoting an open and proactive dialogue about health in the workplace.

Implement active breaks

These short but regular breaks encourage employees to stand up, stretch and move their bodies, breaking up prolonged periods of inactivity. This simple habit relieves muscle tension and revitalizes the mind , increasing productivity and overall well-being.

If possible, create a space for active breaks with mats, Pilates balls or other types of equipment. In fact, it is essential to set an example by taking active breaks together with your team.

Understanding low back pain and implementing preventive strategies positively transforms the work environment, increasing employee productivity and well-being . For this reason, adopting the measures discussed contributes to a culture of health and safety in the company.