It’s important to develop healthy habits now and save yourself from a whole lot of physical and financial pain later on.
In Australia, estimated health-care expenditure on arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions totaled $5,960 million making it the fourth most expensive disease group, according to a recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report on health-care expenditure on arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions 2008-2009. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions are common, affecting an estimated 6.1 million Australians (28% of the total population) in 2011-2012.
Some of this huge health-care expenditure could be reduced or prevented with the development of healthy habits and the right health-care strategies.
“It takes some effort to change lifestyle habits which can cause poor health, but it’s worth doing in the long run”. ‘Australians’ sedentary lifestyle is a major factor contributing to things like obesity and other health complaints such as back problems. Back problems can be caused by poor posture and prolonged sitting. These conditions left unaddressed can affect quality of life and limit people performing their regular activities. If the pain becomes too much it can even stop them from working and possibly lead to an early retirement.
The AIHW report says in the Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study, the burden of low back pain is ranked sixth in the world and first in Australasia (Australia and New Zealand), while neck pain is twenty-first in the world and tenth in Australasia.
The AIHW report says according to the NHMD, in 2008-2009, there were 87,272 hospitalizations with a principal diagnosis of back problems. Osteoarthritis accounted for 29% of health-care expenditure on arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions ($1,637 million) followed by back problems ($1, 177 million or 21%). The most commonly reported musculoskeletal conditions are: arthritis affecting an estimated 3.3 million people; back problems affecting 3 million people and osteoporosis affecting 728, 000 people.
There are plenty of alternatives and solutions that can help many suffering Australians. Conditions such as back problems don’t always have to be treated with drugs. Chiropractors are at the forefront when dealing with the musculoskeletal system and Chiropractic Care is a drug free strategy that is effective for many of these musculoskeletal problems.
KEY Chiropractic has been assisting people with back related health problems for many years.
KEY Chiropractic – 9274 1471.