A sore back definitely means the end of housework
Of all the activities that Brits give up when back pain strikes, housework is the first to bite the dust.
A recent survey of 2056 people by backpainhelp.com has revealed that 26% of people – equating to some 12.6m UK adults – have been forced to down their feather dusters and leave their vacuums under the stairs due to the debilitating effects of back pain.
A clear winner, housework topped a list of activities that had to be dropped when back pain hit, coming above hobbies, working or studying, enjoying sex and driving. Some one in 11 said they couldn’t take care of their pets and one in 12 even felt unable to look after their children properly.
It doesn’t help either that, as well as physically, back pain affects us in other negative ways with 24% admitting to suffering poor mental and emotional health and 35% confessing to it making them short tempered and snappy.
What’s more, it seems the ripple effects of back pain are far reaching, also affecting relationships with partners, children, family, friends and colleagues. Some one in ten of those questioned admitted to arguing with them because of the pain they were in while 15% said it had made them cry at home or work.
Mark Critchley, backpainhelp.com spokesperson said: “As most people hate housework at the best of times, we’ve asked ourselves whether our survey reflects the fact that it’s the easiest to say no to when they’re in pain.
“Believe it or not though, housework is an energetic and physical activity compared to most and while we encourage people to stay as active as they can tolerate when they have back pain, sometimes a little rest with cold and hot treatments can do the world of good too.”
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