One in three adults in Germany regularly suffers from back pain. This makes it not only the number one widespread disease, but also a major reason for incapacity to work. Around a quarter of all sick days are due to spinal disorders and back pain. Companies, organisations and authorities therefore have a great interest in addressing this challenge. However, there are some popular misconceptions that stand in the way of optimal prevention. We present the most important myths in connection with back pain.
Myth 1: Back pain is often caused by a slipped disc
If a slipped disc occurs in the lumbar spine, it presses on the nerves that leave the spinal cord. This can actually cause acute back pain. However, this does not mean that it is the main cause of back pain. On the contrary: only around 15 per cent of severe back pain is caused by a slipped disc. It mainly affects people over 40 who have a hereditary predisposition to disc problems.
Myth 2: Sitting for long periods of time automatically leads to back pain
It's true: if your back hurts, it can be caused by a lack of exercise or incorrect movement. But sitting for long periods of time is not automatically unhealthy or a trigger for back pain. Much more important is the question of how you spend your time in your armchair or office chair. Modern 24-hour chairs, for example, promote active sitting, which can effectively prevent back pain, tension and many other problems.
Myth 3: Only older people have back pain
Just like diabetes, back pain is still often considered a typical disease of old age. Both are wrong. Studies by the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery (DGOU) show that around half of eleven to 17-year-olds regularly suffer from back pain. Here too, the triggers are a lack of exercise and sitting incorrectly. We explain here what other effects sitting in one position for hours on end - at a desk, for example - can have.
Myth 4: Sitting incorrectly is particularly hard on the back
Back pain is really just the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous other symptoms and illnesses that can be triggered by sitting incorrectly. Examples include headaches, tension and concentration problems. But even serious illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes or cancer can be favoured by sitting rigidly for hours on end.
Myth 5: Adjusting the office chair is not that important
"One for all, all for one" might work in a team-building seminar, but certainly not for your chair. Because if you sit in a control centre, work at an airport terminal or constantly work overtime in your executive chair, you need a chair that is perfectly tailored to your body measurements and needs. This is the only way you can perform at your best in the long term and prevent illnesses such as chronic back pain. Our 24-hour chairs can therefore be optimally adapted and adjusted to your requirements - from the armrests and seat height to the headrest.
Myth 6: You should take it easy if you have back pain
If you rest, you rust. This old adage also applies to the office or working in a control centre. Even if you have acute back pain, you should therefore keep moving wherever possible and not spend all your time in bed or on the sofa waiting for things to get better. Gentle sports such as walking or yoga prevent the muscles from regressing or the fasciae from hardening and thus increasing the discomfort because the back is less and less supported. So exercise is often the best medicine for back pain too!
Myth 7: Back pain is unavoidable in our modern working world
Back pain is a disease of civilisation. But: it is not destiny. We can all do a lot to effectively prevent acute or chronic back pain. We can even spend traditionally "comfortable" periods such as the Christmas period without aching vertebrae and bones.
We hope that this article has shed some light on the typical myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic of back pain. We would be happy to advise you personally on these and other aspects and show you how you can ensure a healthy working day with professional 24-hour chairs.
