Back health day

The causes are varied and often cannot be clearly determined. However, the greatest risk factor is considered to be long-term sitting in combination with a lack of exercise. Psychosocial strains such as stress or problems at work and in private life also often affect the back. The localization of the pain is crucial: most complaints occur in the lower back. The lumbar spine is exposed to a particularly high risk of injury as it carries the majority of the body weight and particularly high pressure and leverage forces act in the area between the upper body and pelvis. Pain in the middle back often originates in the thoracic spine, while complaints in the upper back are usually located in the neck region. From there, it can radiate into the shoulders and arms, and headaches in the back of the head are also typical accompanying symptoms. Every year since 2002, Back Health Day on March 15 has called on people to actively combat back pain, as it is often caused by bad habits and behavior that can be easily remedied. The motto of this year's day of action is "Back'n'Roll - Bring movement into your life!" The 25th Back Health Day will focus on the topic of "health-promoting exercise". Across Germany, attention will be drawn to how regular everyday exercise can prevent back pain and improve quality of life in the long term.

Many companies in the Bayern Innovativ network show how back health can be put into practice - with fresh ideas, preventative measures and innovative approaches that bring movement into everyday working life.

Prevention can also work virtually. This is demonstrated by the health tech company Kaia Health, which offers digital therapy programs for back pain and chronic pain. "Kaia Health was founded in 2016 out of personal motivation," explains Ronald Graefe, Regional Sales Manager at the company. "It was often difficult to find suitable therapy places for back pain. That's why we set out with the aim of focusing on improving patients with back pain, particularly with a view to preventing chronic pain, and offering effective, home-based therapy." Following a doctor's recommendation, patients can use the app via a prescription, which is activated within a few days. This makes the app a digital health application, a so-called DiGA, which has been tested and approved as a medical device. "As a rule, the doctor prescribes the digital therapy. Once the prescription has been redeemed with the health insurance company, you can get started straight away," explains Graefe. The program begins with an initial assessment, during which pain levels and limitations are recorded, and then puts together an individually tailored training program. To avoid mistakes during the exercises, an AI movement coach is used to provide immediate feedback to the patient - just like a physiotherapist, but from the comfort of their own home. Experience in healthcare shows that this digital approach is more than just a technical gimmick: In a study with 1,237 participants, pain decreased by 33 percent after three months and by as much as 46 percent after twelve months. Another study confirmed that digital movement feedback is comparable to that provided by physiotherapy specialists. Users are also reminded to do exercises and motivated to remain active on a regular basis through playful elements. For Graefe, back health is more than just freedom from pain: "It's about quality of life and the chance to enjoy everyday life more without pain." On Back Health Day, he gives clear advice: "Regular exercise should ideally be planned with specific exercises and carried out consistently. If you have complaints, it is advisable to seek medical advice and use digital therapy like ours if necessary."

Among other things, Ergo-Tec develops customized, height-adjustable workstation solutions for logistics and production areas. The aim is to adjust workstations precisely to the activity and body height and thus noticeably reduce strain. The focus here is on solutions that promote movement instead of cementing rigid postures. Electromotive height-adjustable desks make it possible to alternate between sitting and standing, supplemented by saddle chairs or sit-stand aids with movable seat surfaces. "We mainly want to prevent complaints in the lumbar spine area, where most people have problems," says Prowinsky. In practices in particular - for example among dentists - there is a growing awareness of their own health and that of their employees. One particular innovation project is the "TheraSwitch" patient chair, an in-house product that was developed together with users. Designed for adult therapy in speech therapy, it ensures a stable, upright sitting position for people with speech or swallowing disorders and at the same time supports the ergonomic working posture of therapists, for example during diagnostic procedures such as endoscopies. "It is designed in such a way that both patients are safely positioned and professionals can work in a straight and back-friendly position," explains Prowinsky. For him, back health is one of the most pressing challenges in everyday working life. As a widespread disease, it affects both employees and the self-employed. According to Prowinsky, it is all the more important to start at the base: "You can do a lot of good with small adjustments without having to spend a fortune." According to Ergo-Tech's message, ergonomics does not start with spectacular investments, but with the conscious design of the daily workplace.

This approach is put into practice in "FPZ Back Therapy", among other things: a well-founded initial analysis is followed by a structured, supervised build-up program designed to specifically increase strength, function and everyday resilience. "Targeted strength training is the strongest conservative lever here," he emphasizes with regard to back pain, as it increases physical reserve, improves movement control and helps "to break the familiar cycle of rest, reduction and increasing sensitivity." The right dosage and professional support are crucial in order to convey safety and achieve lasting effects. His message for Back Health Day: "Don't let pain and terms like 'wear and tear' paralyze you. In most cases, back pain can be managed very well conservatively through measured exercise, targeted muscle building and good guidance."

Whether exoskeletons, apps, ergonomic workstations or structured strength training, the examples from the network show how diverse the paths to better back health can be. They range from high-tech solutions in industry and care to digital therapy support, individually adapted work environments and evidence-based training programs. As different as the approaches are, they all pursue a common goal: to get people moving, reduce strain and ensure quality of life in the long term. As a driving force and networker, Bayern Innovativ actively supports such developments. With its broad network of research, business and healthcare, the company helps to ensure that innovative ideas do not remain isolated, but are exchanged and find their way into practice. In this way, Bayern Innovativ also strengthens Bavaria as a future-oriented business location for health innovations. Back Health Day is therefore not only a reminder of the widespread widespread illness of back pain, but also of the opportunities to actively combat it. Prevention begins in everyday life, with small changes, conscious posture, regular exercise and the courage to seek support. After all, a healthy back is no coincidence, but the result of informed decisions, committed stakeholders and a working environment that takes health into account.