• Poor posture and careless use of desk-based / hand-held technology pose serious health risk to young people
• Stress and strain on developing bodies will lead to serious physical disorders and a “life in pain”
• In one year
  Seven out of ten primary school children reported back or neck pain
  The number of children receiving treatment for back or neck pain has doubled

More than two-thirds of primary school children have reported experiencing back or neck pain over the course of one year, according to new research. Sixty-four per cent of secondary school children have suffered problems over a similar period and almost 90 per cent of the children have not reported their pain to anyone.

The results appear in a questionnaire-based study drawn from interviews with primary and secondary school children, conducted with full parental consent. The findings underline a growing concern among the medical community about the effects of computers, games consoles, smart- phones and iPad-style tablets on young people’s developing bodies. The children’s activities could lead to debilitating health problems that have been described by one expert as a “healthcare time bomb”.

The research was conducted in Neath Port Talbot by Helena Webb, a leading paediatric physiotherapist at Morriston Hospital. In the study 204 children from the ages of 7-18 were questioned in an in-depth survey about their back care. The research was carried out after the number of children receiving treatment for back and neck pain in the three counties covered by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board doubled over six months. The percentage of paediatric referrals to physiotherapy for back/neck pain increased from 2.1 per cent in September
2011 to 4.5 per cent in March 2012.

Webb said: “It’s really important you look after your back when you’re young. Adolescent back pain sufferers are four times more likely to experience back pain as an adult and problems can begin at primary school age. Introducing back care into the school timetable would really help us reduce the risk of the current generation of children becoming adults who live with back pain.”

The findings contributed to the thinking behind a free e-learning tool which has been launched today. Healthy Working MOVE has been developed by Cardinus Risk Management in conjunction with Matt Birtles of the Health & Safety Laboratory, and Lorna Taylor, a paediatric physiotherapist with 12 years’ experience, and the founder of Jolly Back. Healthy Working MOVE explains to young people how using electronic devices, carrying school bags and adopting different postures when working and relaxing can affect their bodies. It teaches them how to use technology comfortably and safely.

Lorna Taylor BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MCSP, HPCP said:

“Modern lifestyles and the increase in technology are having detrimental effects on our children’s musculoskeletal health and if not addressed in school and at home now, will have far reaching effects for our children, the future working generation and society. This is a healthcare time bomb.

“It’s vital we instil good habits and provide resources so children can be comfortable, be able to concentrate, reach their full potential and work and play sport as they decide, and not be limited by preventable disability and a life in pain.

“Healthy Working is a really comprehensive tool. It contains everything that I have ever wanted to tell a parent, child or teacher.”

Jon Abbott, managing director – ergonomics and safety at Cardinus Risk Management, said:

“For many years we have recognised the risk of ergonomics injuries to adults in the workplace, and Government advice on Display Screen Equipment has long targeted adults. But now our younger generations are using technology more regularly at school and home and yet we are failing to recognise and address the risks. It cannot be right that we work so hard to protect the working population but fail to recognise the impact technology has on children at a critical stage of their physiological development.

“It’s important that we raise children’s awareness of the importance of healthy spine posture, at school and at home. The long-term benefits are many and varied; the cost of failing to address musculoskeletal problems in children could be high. School is where children spend a large proportion of time every week and the health and safety considerations that apply to adults in the respect of technology, seating, lifting and carrying, should also apply to children. They are also at risk from the bad habits they develop at home.”

Healthy Working MOVE will help to promote safe practices among children and young people at home and at school. The e-learning programme will be offered free-of-charge to every primary school, secondary school and college in the UK. It has been developed by Cardinus Risk Management in partnership with the Health and Safety Laboratory.

The e-learning tool is based on the award-winning course Healthy Working that helps to protect adult workers around the world. The information, advice and guidance in Healthy Working MOVE has been designed and presented to appeal to children and young people in ways that will have strong appeal for children and young people. There is a version for primary school children, a version for secondary school children and another for students in higher education.

Healthy Working MOVE is an e-learning programme which is available FREE at www.healthyworking.com/move. Supporting materials are also available at
www.ergonomics4kids.co.uk.