Back pain at work
2008
Sinéad McGarrigle explains the development and implementation of a neck and back pain programme in a large company in Belfast.
In November 2006, I was approached by Capita, a major business outsourcing company in the UK, which had just set up its Belfast 
branch. The Director felt there was a need to assess and put a programme in place for employees who worked primarily from a laptop. Such a programme would have to avoid the possible detrimental effects of long-term use of the laptop and carrying it in a bulky case. I met with Capita’s Training and Development Manager to explore requirements and options. I explained that BackCare recognises back pain has to be dealt with in a holistic way both inside and outside the workplace. After further investigation, it was agreed that a four week pilot would be used to try out a new neck and back programme at Capita.
The corporate neck and back care programme
The pilot programme commenced in February 2007. Initial consultations took place to obtain detailed information that helped formulate each individual back care programme. The following week, staff received an individual home exercise programme with guidance on frequency and how to implement the programme into their daily structure. On the third week, staff progression was assessed and programmes advanced, where applicable, or other general guidance provided. On the final week, programmes were advanced for the last time and, from this point, back care advice provided on an ad-hoc basis as required.
The results
Overall, sessions promoted a strong sense of well-being with a positive effect on overall health and, most importantly, seemed to direct staff toward positive performance both in the workplace and at home:
- through educational seminars staff became more aware of the importance of looking after their spine; many staff signed up to following programmes preferring ‘preventative maintenance’ rather than the possibility of suffering back pain down the line;
- more importantly, staff implemented it and wanted to do more! Many staff began walking to and from the bus stop, some actually began walking to and from work, whilst others went for a longer walk at the weekend;
- the staff could feel it working; it was much easier getting out of the car and getting up in the mornings and not experiencing back pain two days after doing the hovering or shopping;
- postural; staff explained that they could feel that they were correcting themselves; how they were sitting, standing and so on, that they felt a lot more ‘body aware’.
After the initial pilot project, it was agreed with Capita to further develop the programme. It continued successfully, fully subscribed and, on occasion, oversubscribed throughout 2007.
Through my work with Capita I found that a back care at work programme has a better chance of succeeding if:
- the programme is implemented in such a way that it reinforces a ‘healthy habit’;
- involve the staff from day one. An initial consultation will ensure that staff participate at a level suited to their needs/condition and that they are fully aware of the need for their input;
- decide on what outcome you want. A talk on back care will increase awareness but it will not instill permanent attitudes to a healthy back and health in general. A structured and indepth programme will allow time to iron out teething problems and also allow staff to integrate a new attitude to neck and back pain at a reasonable pace;
- encompass a physical aspect. In this case the basic foundation exercises received by staff at Capita helped to enhance strength, flexibility and overall mental health and wellbeing. Advancing the programme avoided a ‘plateau’ effect and helped to develop functional strength, endurance and increased flexibility which, in turn, will prevent further episodes of aches and pains.
I would advise any business, large or small, wishing to promote the benefits of a healthy back to make it happen. In addition to the benefits to staff, a solid and structured back or health programme can also help to articulate the vision and values of employers.
Sinéad McGarrigle, an affiliate professional member of BackCare, has been working on the back pain at work issue in Northern Ireland for a number of years. For more information on the programme, please contact Sinéad on 07779 121274.