Mary Franz - Mar 03rd, 2011
Back and neck pain are not only annoying problems in life, they can be very costly in terms of sick leave for both the employee and employer. A 12-year longitudinal cohort study set out to figure out factors that may predict the potential for sick leave due to back and neck pain issues.
In the study, 1,405 participants were surveyed for unspecific neck or back pain the year prior to the study. The participants were all middle-aged, rural farmers and non-farmers. Of those surveyed, 836 men had experienced neck or back pain and were asked whether they had used sick leave from work due to their neck or low back problems. Other data collected was individual, occupational and lifestyle factors as well as data to determine specific neck or back diagnosis.
Over the 12-year period, 7% reported sick leave due to neck or back problems. While self-employment was associated with a lower incidence of back- or neck-pain-related sick leave, other factors increased the risk of sick leave such as sedentary lifestyle and snuff use. Diagnosis of specific neck or back problems was also associated with a higher incidence of sick leave, likely due to validation of an actual health condition.
Factors that were not directly implicated in this study included age, education, physical workload, marital status, sense of coherence, smoking and alcohol consumption.
If you are suffering from back or neck pain, a chiropractor can evaluate your condition and help you decrease the risk of sick leave related to neck or back problems.
Holmberg SA, Thelin AG. Predictors of sick leave owing to neck or low back pain: a 12-year longitudinal cohort study in a rural male population. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Issues. 2010 Dec;17(2):251-7.
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