Did you know that 2 million Australians suffer back pain every year.

The total economic impact of lost revenue because of spinal disorders was $9 billion or $269 for every person in Australia in 2009.  (The Spine Journal (2012);12:1119-1121)

Australians aged between 45-64 who retire early because of spinal disorders have lower income (79% less), and more in government support payments(21,000%more) than those employed full time without a health condition, impacting the nation with:

a) $4.8 billion lost in annual individual earnings

b) $622 million in additional welfare payments

c) $497 million lost in taxation revenue for governments

d) $2.9 billion in lost GDP   (The Spine Journal (2012);12:1111-1118.)

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data shows that:

• 1 in 11 Australians have back problems equating to 2 million people per year suffering back pain
• Back pain sufferers report 2.5 times more disorders such as depression than those without back pain
• 2 in 5 people with back problems had an inability to perform their normal daily activities
• Indigenous Australians were 257 more likely to report having back problems than Non-Indigenous Australians.
• Those suffering back pain are more likely to have a poorer quality of life, 1.2 times more likely to suffer psychological distress and 1.7 times more likely to report a mental disorder.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               (Source; http//www.aihw.gov.au/back-problems/quality-of-life)

Worldwide;

• 632.045 million people suffer back pain
• 332.049 million suffer neck pain.
• Lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide contributing to 10.7% of total years lived with a disability (YLD). Major depression contributes to 8.1% YLD