Are you sitting comfortably?

Back pain is a common problem, with four out of five people suffering from debilitating back pain at some point in their lives.

The main causes of back pain are bad posture, strained muscles or ligaments, and stress.

Therefore, it is essential that action is taken to prevent back pain occurring, and that you are also aware of how to manage back pain.

The majority of back pain lasts from a few days to a few weeks, typically occurring in people aged 30-50.

However, if you experience back pain for the first time when you are under 20 or over 50 this is a red flag, as is pain in the ribs, so a check-up with your doctor is vital.

Causes of back pain

Researchers believe there is no singular example of 'the perfect posture' as it depends on the position you are in, whether standing or sitting, although it is essential to maintain the alignment of the spine as misalignment leads to imbalance in muscle tone.

Furthermore, as women are particularly prone to posture and back problems due to carrying heavy handbags, pregnancy, and holding children on their hip, it is particularly important to take certain steps to prevent back pain.

Prevention

There are numerous ways that back pain can be prevented in the work place and at home. Here are a few tips to prevent pain the workplace:

• Keep head raised: focus on aligning your head and neck right above your shoulders, avoiding leaning forward
• Make sure the mouse is next to the keyboard to avoid overreaching the wrist or twisting the shoulder
• Choose a chair with good lumbar support, tilting the chair back so it is slightly reclined
• Keep the monitor at arm's length and two to three inches above eye level
• Feet should be flat on the floor, shoulder width apart to avoid tension in the knees and ankles and maintain alignment of the spine
• Don't cross your legs as this makes it difficult to keep the spine straight, risking over-stretching pelvic muscles and increasing risk of varicose veins
• Take regular breaks to prevent you from becoming stiff and tense

Measures can be taken at home to minimise and avoid risk of back problems. These include:

• Vitamin K, which is present in broccoli, spinach, and dark green leafy vegetables, is essential to build strong bones. Strong bones make a strong body!
• A softer mattress is better for the back, relieving pressure on the spine
• Bags and briefcases should not weigh more than 10% of your bodyweight as this will lead to strain on the spine. A messenger bag distributes weight more evenly across the body, being a better option
• Core strengthening exercises ideally reviewed by a qualified practitioner specifically to your needs

Treatment

If you suffer from back pain, it is treatable. The best treatment for back pain is to stay active and use over-the-counter painkillers if necessary. It is very important to remain active as your back muscles become weaker the longer you are immobile, causing more problems in the long term.

If back pain lasts longer than six weeks, exercise classes, acupuncture, physiotherapy, or combinations of painkillers are the main forms of treatment.

UCLan's Physiotherapy Clinic offers acupuncture and physiotherapy, along with many other services to alleviate back pain, at a low cost of only £30 for an initial assessment and treatments ranging from as little as £25.

For more details please click here or telephone 01772 894902.

Conference - Bridging the gaps between research and practice in Dysphagia: international perspectives

The Advancing Dysphagia Practice team have announced their first international conference event, to be held in September at UCLan Cyprus.

The team have secured a panel of prestigious international speakers who will address topical professional issues, including values-based decision making in complex cases, ethical decision making and risk management, outcome measurement differences between research and practice, plus updates on the latest research news for specified clinical populations.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers include Professor Paula Leslie, University of Pittsburgh (left); Dr Kate Reid, University Hospital Birmingham; Dr Emilia Michou, University of Manchester and Dr Hazel Roddam, University of Central Lancashire.

The programme will incorporate chaired Question & Answer sessions with the presenters so that all audience members can participate fully, ask and hear all questions and discussions.

The second day includes a choice of interactive workshops for in-depth discussion of specified topics - professional issues and clinical-population specific, led by the presenters. The event will close with workshop feedback and a final keynote address.

'Bridging the gaps between research and practice in Dysphagia: international perspectives' takes place on September 4-5, 2015. For further information and booking details please email us.

UCLan PaST researcher takes part in top NHS event

CAHPR Cumbria & Lancashire Regional Hub Chair Dr Hazel Roddam recently represented the UK Council for Allied Health Professions Research at a prestigious NHS webinar event.

Dr Roddam was one of three invited panellists at the 'Unlocking the evidence of best practice webinar', which was organised by the NHS Clinical Soft Intelligence Service, with a focus on rehabilitation services for long-term conditions.

A Principal Lecturer in Research based in the UCLan PaST Division, Dr Roddam was asked to represent the allied health professionals sector, including speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

Speech and language therapist Dr Roddam has extensive experience as a clinician and manager, working within NHS and local authorities, prior to taking up her current post.

She said: "The focus of this event was on effective support for front-line practitioners and teams, to build research capacity in the workforce and to develop capability in individuals, some of whom will be the clinical-academic leaders of the next generation."

The audience included over 100 practitioners from around the United Kingdom who are involved in delivery and commissioning of rehabilitation services, (including NHS, social care, voluntary and charitable sectors).

The event, which was in partnership with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and supported by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, was held on 19 January in London.

Students elected to ECPTS board

A trio of UCLan PaST undergraduates have been appointed to the Executive Board of the European Confederation for Physical Therapy Students (ECPTS).

Daniel Roberts (President), Ashleigh Nicholson (Secretary General) and Rachel O’Mahoney (Treasurer) were elected at the recent ECPTS General Assembly held at Hochschule Fresenius, University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg.

The ECPTS aim to connect European Physiotherapy students with a view to creating and developing national Physical Therapy associations.

They also help to promote education, the profession and student values, along with working on the expansion of the ECPTS across Europe. Students also share knowledge and ideas and collaborate on international projects.

Daniel commented: "I'm responsible for working together with the Vice-Presidents to seek out new and exciting opportunities for ECPTS to get involved in. I liaise with other groups and professionals external to ECPTS to maintain and strengthen existing relationships that we have.

"I also work closely with other board members as to identify any problems in relation to the ECPTS and work towards finding solutions. Like the rest of the Executive Board, the President also looks for ways to raise the profile of ECPTS and help it to become more internationally recognised among students and professionals."

Course Leader Heather Stewart added: "Daniel, Ashleigh and Rachel are all enthusiastic about being part of this group, and finding out about physiotherapy across Europe. It’s a great achievement for all of them to have been elected to hold positions on the Executive Board for the next year, and it is fantastic representation for UCLan in Europe."

The new Executive Board are pictured above (from left to right): Dimos Petrou (Greece), Rachel, Ashleigh, Klára Kučerová (Czech Republic) & Daniel.

To find out more about the ECPTS please click here.

Students share physio knowledge at local schools

UCLan Physiotherapy undergraduates took time out from their studies to deliver teaching sessions at four local primary schools.

The second year students visited schools in Preston and Wigan to present one hour lessons to children aged 4-11 which showed them how to keep their skeletons healthy.

Pupils at Harris Primary School, Nateby Primary School and English Martyrs Catholic Primary School in Preston, and Woodfield Primary School in Wigan were taught the basic names of bones, how to better understand the human skeleton and build healthy bones, through to the understanding of osteoporosis and bone health in relation to posture.

The students covered topics such as anatomy, physiology, the benefits of physical activity and how to maximise bone health through diet and physical activity, as well as how to prevent osteoporosis. Lecturers Gill Rawlinson, Mandy Dunbar and Sara Fisher supervised the students during the visits.

Gill commented: "These visits provided a great opportunity for the students to raise awareness of the role of the physiotherapist, and help children learn more about how their bodies’ work and how they can stay healthy and prevent problems in later life.

"Despite some of the students being quite daunted by the challenge, they delivered excellent sessions which really helped them with their communication skills. The children were really enthusiastic and enjoyed getting the chance to explore the skeletons and anatomical models.

"I'd like to thank all of the primary schools for their help in organising these visits which provided us with a great opportunity to engage with our local community."

UCLan PaST graduate accepts Sports Motivator role

Sam Cadwallader hopes to use her love of sport to inspire others to get involved in physical activity, after being appointed as a Sports Motivator at UCLan.

Since graduating with a Sports Therapy degree in 2010 Sam has worked in a variety jobs at UCLan, but hopes her current role will allow her to make a real difference to students' lives.

"I work for UCLan Sports Arena, but I have a base in Harrington reception foyer which is the on-campus link between students and the Arena," said Sam.

"I plan to recruit a team of volunteers, to raise awareness of the Arena and increase student participation by running sessions and events for students to engage in."

Sam's progression into her current position is the result of a number of years of hard work, initially as an undergraduate before going on to work at both the Arena and Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre.

She added: "I thoroughly enjoyed the Sports Therapy course. In particular I enjoyed the Spinal module taught by Karen May. Even though it was challenging and a very complex topic, it motivated me to want to learn more, helped by the fact that I enjoyed Karen's teaching style in particular.

"During my third year I studied part-time, enabling me the time and opportunity to work with Morecambe FC alongside their Physiotherapist. The experiences gained were invaluable and really developed me as a Sports Therapist.

"To learn and adapt my skills in the 'real world' outside a classroom environment played a huge part in my progression as a Sports Therapist and I'd hugely recommend students get as much hands on experience as possible.

"Being female in a male dominated environment was extremely challenging, but one that was enjoyable. Although I haven't gone on to pursue a career in Sports Therapy, I still have an interest in it. I own my own massage bed and often treat and advise family and friends.

"I'm extremely excited about my new role. The sports facilities available to students are fantastic and showcasing them is something I'm very passionate about."

Sam is looking for any enthusiastic students interested in volunteering and being involved in this opportunity - whether it's delivering sessions or promoting sport.

For further information please email Sam.

Allied Health team secure research funding

Staff from the Allied Health Research Unit are set to launch a new study project at Baskent University, Turkey.

Professor James Selfe and Dr Jessie Janssen have already conducted a UK study into the various different kinds of Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) which is a type of knee pain.

It is currently unclear what precise mechanisms cause discomfort in the knee, with recent research suggesting there are many different types of knee cap problems.

Their work with physiotherapy clinics to explore what combination of tests and questions can help to differentiate between different types of pain will help the researchers to develop better and more specific treatment.

Through £1,600 of Erasmus funding, Professor Selfe and Dr Janssen will train a team of physiotherapists in Turkey to carry out an intervention study to build on their existing UK project.

Professor Selfe said: "Our work in Turkey will allow us to assess outcome in subgroups of PFP patients and build on our previous UK-based feasibility study, where we were able to identify three separate sub-groups of patients who may require different types of treatment to each other."

In the last decade, musculoskeletal disorders have increased to become the greatest cause of disability among EU member states and are the second greatest cause of disability worldwide. PFP is a specific musculoskeletal disorder that can cause significant pain leading to limitations in societal participation and physical activity and is a condition commonly referred for physiotherapy.

It's anticipated the study will take around 18 months to complete, with results being published in 2016 or 2017.