48 PROFILE
Back to the future Yoga – a treatment for back pain and an effective preventative measure…
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avid Cameron not only pledges severe cuts to the NHS, but also threatens to cut benefits to people on long-term sickness and disability allowance to the tune of another £4bn. Given threats to job security and increased demands to raise performance, will employees feel under pressure to attend work when they are unwell? What does this mean for employees’ health and wellbeing at work, and where does employer responsibility stop and government legislation begin? Since it is estimated that up to four out of five people (80%) will experience back pain at some point in their lives, it is likely that back pain sufferers are going to be anxious about recent developments. Anyone who has been a victim of back pain would probably agree when suffering an attack that the pain is all consuming, relentless and debilitating. Current government policy lacks empathy for the long-term sick and is inclined to treat them as malingerers, yet over five million adults consult their GPs annually about back pain; we are talking about a large percentage of our workforce. “We’re going to change the whole way welfare is done in this country so everyone takes responsibility and plays their part. This is our new welfare contract: Do the right thing and we will back you all the way. But fail to take responsibility – and the free ride is over,” David Cameron 20th April 2010.
Cuts to the public sector Looming cuts to the public sector also mean that those who have either exceeded or are nearing their
sickness quota are more likely to lose their jobs than those who have not been absent. Is it little wonder then that the recent review of the Health and Wellbeing of NHS Employees, led by Dr Steve Boorman and supported by the Work Foundation along with others, shows ‘sickness presence’ as a concern for the public sector, ie. employees coming to work when they should be at home resting.
Alternative back pain treatments The report ‘The Economic Burden of Back Pain in the UK’ confirms that back pain is one of the most costly conditions in the UK, and this is in line with findings in other countries.1 It also stated: ‘Further research is needed to establish the cost-effectiveness of alternative back pain treatments, so as to minimise cost and maximise the health benefit from the resources used in this area.’ The BMA recently carried out a two year study of acupuncture and other complementary and alternative medicines, and agreed they should be integrated into the NHS.
Public Service Review: Health and Social Care: issue 25
A recent report from the NHS stated that while it may seem that sending patients for an X-ray or MRI scan can provide some reassurance, the scans often reveal very little2 and Professor Peter Littlejohns of NICE, National Institute for Clinical Excellence, said: “Patients whose pain is not improving should have access to a choice of different therapies including acupuncture, structured exercise and manual therapy.”
Low cost to NHS However, it’s not all doom and gloom as radical changes are set for the future, NICE is welcoming the new government health strategies to implement more acupuncture and osteopathy into the practice so patients can expect to receive alternative and complementary solutions on the NHS. Until recently, Britain’s approach to healthcare has been considered somewhat backward compared to our European counterparts, and this contemporary approach will help to bring us into the 21st Century.
PROFILE 49
Professor Littlejohns said the costs to the NHS would be minimal – he anticipates costs will only be a further £77,000 because of the expected reduction of disability and healthcare needs. These guidelines were welcomed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Dr Dries Hettinga of Back Care.
programme of integrated acupuncture, osteopathy and a supervised yoga course? If sickness from back pain costs employers £6m per year, and the cost to the country is billions, then providing yoga at work could prove to be extremely cost-effective. Employees could use yoga not only to get well but also as an effective preventative measure.
‘Anyone who has
“I would definitely recommend Joy’s Yoga for Back Pain to every patient of mine,” Dr Zulia Valeyeva-Frost MD, Harley Street UK.
been a victim of back pain would probably agree when suffering an attack that the pain is all consuming, relentless and debilitating.
“As an osteopath I would recommend Joy’s yoga school for most of my patients once they have recovered from the initial acute phase of back pain,” Mardi Jameson, Osteopath, CEO Brixton Therapy Centre, London.
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Joy’s story As someone who has suffered debilitating back pain, I’ve tried a multitude of treatments and ‘gizmos’. Mostly the impact was negligible, very short lived or expensive. Like most people, I would have done anything to ease the pain and discomfort in order to lead a normal, active life. 20 years later, I’m not only fully recovered but I also retrained to teach yoga. I run Yoga for Back Pain Workshops in my studio and also facilitate Health at Work Programmes in the public and private sector, addressing all kinds of work related problems such as RSI, fatigue, depression and persistent headaches. I am convinced that one of the most effective treatments for back pain is yoga, in particular, yoga that is influenced by the late Vanda Scaravelli, author of ‘Awakening the Spine’.
Not a quick fix This is not a ‘quick fix’ but a system of continual learning and practice, which helps to the development deeper postural muscles, creating a healthy posture. The system I teach emphasises the importance of breathing into the back of the lungs, and when practised in conjunction with different postures, it enables space to be created between the
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vertebrae, achieving shifts that can significantly realign the spine.
Self-empowerment If this government is really concerned with ‘everyone taking responsibility and playing their part’, it should seriously consider providing yoga as part of the NHS treatment strategy for back pain. Yoga could be part of a back to work self-empowerment programme. As a practitioner and therapist, I am convinced that for most chronic back pain sufferers, yoga would offer relief from pain as well as all the attendant psychological and emotional benefits. As Lord Darzi’s polyclinics become a familiar sight on our high streets, this could present an ideal opportunity to integrate therapeutic yoga into the medical practice. This would not only facilitate a convenient and cost-effective referral point for allopathic and complementary therapists, but also provide continuity of care, patient satisfaction and financial viability. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a GP could write out a prescription offering a
If you are an employer or Joy Anderson employee who is interested in introducing any of these services to your workplace, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your requirements. Pick up a free five part mini-course from our website. 1
Maniadakis A, Gray A, 2000 Jan; 84(1):95-103
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Dr Dries Hettinga, Head of Research at The UK Charity Backcare
Joy Anderson YA, AIYP, BYTA, BSY, ITEC CEO of Joyoga Studio Author of ‘Yoga for Back Pain Tool Kit’ Professional Member of the BackCare Charity Tel: +44 (0)20 7274 7577 Mobile: +44 (0)7788 442566 joy@yogaforbackpain.com www.yogaforbackpain.com
Public Service Review: Health and Social Care: issue 25 © Reproduced with the kind permission of PSCA International Ltd 2010 www.publicservice.co.uk