SLOUCH POTATOES

Straighten Up! According to research by the The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) young people are suffering in silence with back pain - but they just don't care!

New research released on 16 April showed that a staggering 50% of 16-24 year olds are currently suffering from back pain compared to 18% just three years ago . But it seems that that 'ain't bovvered' about it. The BCA are coming to the rescue with a three minute exercise routine designed to show your back some kindness.

Sedentary lifestyles and slouching have a lot to answer for. Poor posture is the second biggest trigger of back pain in this age group - followed by using PCs and computer games.

Back pain is causing the nation to lose sleep, with 40% of sufferers struggling to get a good night's kip. A miserable 14% are missing out on socialising because their backs hurt because of pain, and for 15%, it has a negative impact on their sex life. So, it *does* have a knock on effect on the things that matter to younger people (as well as the older ones...)

To coincide with the start of Chiropractic Awareness Week, the BCA is launching Straighten Up UK; a three minute exercise programme designed to help strengthen the spine and improve posture.

Women, it seems, are suffering the most, with over 50% of respondents experiencing back pain, and 13% of them claiming that they have suffered with it for as long as they can remember.

Tim Hutchful from the British Chiropractic Association comments: "We are concerned that the incidence of back pain has grown so dramatically amongst young people. In 2004, under one in five young people were suffering, now that figure has risen so that every other young person in the UK has some form of back pain; which is of serious concern.

"We need to educate people about the harm that can be caused by poor posture and work towards reducing the incidence of back pain. By making just a few lifestyle changes, people can help to improve their posture, take care of their spine and help them look and feel their best."

As part of the Straighten Up campaign, the BCA is encouraging people to incorporate the simple 3 minute exercise routine into their daily lives to help strengthen the spine and improve posture - the routine is available to download from the website on the left.

During Chiropractic Awareness Week, selected BCA chiropractors will be holding Straighten Up UK events which will include fundraising for The Children's Trust, a charity which provides specialist care, rehabilitation, education and therapy to some of the UK's most severely disabled children. For more details, go to the BCA website...