10 October 2023
By Hannah Wilcox
A local chiropractor has found North Sydney residents are suffering with concerningly higher numbers of back pain than those in other parts of the state.
An estimated 10,873 locals reportedly grapple with back pain, according to Dr. Bryce Fleming at Alignment Chiropractic.
Dr Fleming said the concerning statistics are most likely due to locals predominantly working in office environments or sedentary roles.
‘North Sydney has its share of back pain sufferers due to the increasingly high demands of modern life, including long hours spent at desks, commutes, and high-stress levels, all of which can often contribute to early degeneration of the spine,’ he told the Sun.
‘This degeneration is particularly common in the base of the skull or neck, between the shoulder blades, and at the base of the spine.’
‘In fact, approximately 90% of the patients I see in the North Sydney area present with pain and problems in one or more of these areas,’ Dr Fleming added.
The high numbers of back pain sufferers are notably different from areas he has previously worked in, the chiropractor said.
‘When I previously worked in Newcastle, the ratio of such cases was notably different,’ Dr Fleming explained.
‘I believe it is likely attributed to the more traditional manual labour working environment in Newcastle compared to the office or working from home workforce of North Sydney.’
‘It’s crucial to address these factors and educate the community about proactive measures,’ he added.
The main causes of back pain often include poor posture, muscle imbalances, sedentary lifestyles, incorrect lifting of heavy objects, and, increasingly commonly, specific areas of the spine that degenerate quicker than they should due to excessive sitting.
Dr Fleming encourages locals to make a conscious effort to curb pain before it’s too late.
‘The best strategies for preventing back pain include maintaining good posture, especially at work, incorporating regular exercise to strengthen the core and back muscles, practicing proper lifting techniques, and avoiding prolonged periods of sitting,’ he said.
‘Additional strategies, such as walking meetings, using sit-stand stations, and simply standing up when the phone rings, can also be very effective, especially in an office environment.’
‘If these strategies still don’t work, it is best to seek support from a registered chiropractor.’
A community-focused ‘spinal alignment’ program has been kickstarted by Dr Fleming and his team at their clinic located at 17 Glen Street in Milsons Point to provide accessible spinal health care.
The initiative helps to detect early spine degeneration and dysfunction, as well as support EPC Medicare rebate programs for eligible patients.
‘One of the unique things I teach patients is a simple and effective ‘at-home’ or ‘at-work’ postural retraining routine,’ he added.
‘These specific movements take just a few minutes a day, similar to a daily teeth-brushing routine, and significantly contribute to improved spinal flexibility, strength and spinal joint health.’