The UK has become increasingly diverse, with people from many different countries, cultures and backgrounds living and working alongside one another. But what does immigration and diversity have to do with back pain?
Back pain can affect anyone, regardless of nationality or ethnicity. However, our occupation, lifestyle, previous healthcare experiences and even the way we understand and describe pain can influence both our risk of developing back problems and how we manage them.
At BodyWorx Health Clinic, we believe understanding the person behind the symptoms is an important part of helping people with back pain.
Physical Jobs and Back Pain
One important factor is occupation.
People arriving in the UK may find themselves working in physically demanding industries such as construction, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, warehousing and delivery work.
These jobs can involve:
- Repetitive lifting and carrying
- Long periods of standing
- Bending and twisting
- Manual handling
- Repetitive movements
- Long shifts with limited recovery time
None of these activities automatically causes back pain. In fact, backs are generally strong and adaptable. However, a sudden increase in physical workload, repetitive tasks or insufficient recovery can contribute to aches, stiffness and episodes of lower back pain.
Someone who has recently changed country may also have changed occupation, working hours and daily routine at the same time.
Stress, Sleep and Major Life Changes
Back pain isn’t always simply about the muscles, joints or spine.
Pain is influenced by many factors, including sleep, stress, physical activity, general health and previous experiences of pain.
Moving to another country can be a major life event. Changes in employment, housing, finances, social networks and family circumstances can all affect stress levels and sleep.
This doesn’t mean that back pain is “all in your head”. Pain is real, but the nervous system is influenced by what’s happening throughout the body and in our wider lives.
For some people, improving sleep, gradually increasing activity and reducing fear around movement can be just as important as treating a painful or stiff area.
Cultural Differences in How We Understand Pain
Another interesting aspect of diversity is that people don’t necessarily think or talk about pain in the same way.
Beliefs about back pain, treatment and recovery can vary between individuals and cultures.
One person might believe they should completely rest when their back hurts, while another may continue working despite significant discomfort. Some people seek professional help immediately, whereas others may wait until their symptoms have become difficult to manage.
This is why healthcare shouldn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.
A good assessment should consider your symptoms, work, activity levels, previous injuries, concerns and goals, rather than making assumptions based solely on an X-ray, scan or diagnosis.
Language and Access to Healthcare
For people whose first language isn’t English, navigating the UK healthcare system can sometimes be challenging.
Medical terminology can be confusing even for native English speakers.
Words such as “disc degeneration”, “sciatica” or “wear and tear” can also sound frightening when they aren’t properly explained.
Understanding what may be contributing to your symptoms is an important part of managing back pain. Patients should feel comfortable asking questions and understanding their treatment options.
Movement Is Usually Part of the Solution
For most people experiencing common back pain, staying appropriately active is an important part of recovery.
That doesn’t necessarily mean pushing through severe pain or immediately returning to heavy lifting.
Instead, it may involve gradually rebuilding confidence with activities such as walking, mobility exercises, strengthening and eventually returning to normal work, hobbies or sport.
At BodyWorx Health Clinic in Totton, our chiropractors and musculoskeletal therapists work with people from a wide range of occupations, ages and backgrounds.
Our aim isn’t simply to focus on where it hurts. We look at the bigger picture: why your back may have become painful, what might be keeping it irritated and what we can do to help you return to the activities that matter to you.
Looking for Help With Back Pain in Totton?
Whether you’ve lived in the New Forest your entire life or have recently made the area your home, back pain shouldn’t stop you doing the things you enjoy.
If you’re experiencing persistent lower back pain, stiffness or discomfort that’s affecting your work or everyday life, an assessment can help establish what may be contributing to your symptoms and what your next steps could be.
BodyWorx Health Clinic provides chiropractic and musculoskeletal care in Totton, serving patients from Southampton, the New Forest and surrounding areas.