Introduction
Chronic lower back pain may be defined as a physiological difficulty most encountered in the back muscles of humans. As indicated by Guarino, (2010), this pain emerges from a sprain that mostly occurs within the lower back region. Chronic back pain is predominantly noticed in Australian adults and the adults are mostly affected by this condition. Investigations conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate vital insights. From these investigations, it is notable that 15% of Australians suffer from this condition. According to most studies in Australia, the condition emanates from strain or injury incurred by the lower back muscles. These investigations also indicate that 24% of adults aged between 65 and 75 suffer from this condition (COHC, 2011). There are different factors noted to cause the development of this condition amongst the Australian elderly people (Briggs & Buchbinder, 2009). It is vital to examine some of these contributing factors. The objective of this discussion is to analyze the biological and socio-cultural factors influencing the occurrence of chronic lower back pain in Australian adults (AIHW, 2005).
Accordingly, several surveys have been conducted throughout Australia to examine the pattern of occurrence of this condition. The National Health Survey 2004-05 indicated that approximately one out of 10 individuals within Australia eencounter remarkable hindrances to activities. The basic reason was due to the occurrence of chronic lower back pain (Briggs & Buchbinder, 2009). These problems are predominantly cited amongst the ageing population in Australia.. Most health institutions and research organizations have indicated an increased incidence of this condition in Australia. The adult population of over 60 years has frequently been affected. These lifestyle diseases are increasingly widespread (Walker, Muller & Grant, 2004). The elderly, usually above 60 years old are the most affected population (Briggs & Buchbinder, 2009). The gradually increasing rates of occurrence of this condition might be attributed to many factors. Most sources indicate that the internal and external pressures notable of Australian lifestyle are a major contributing factors. This condition has remarkably affected the elderly persons in Australia for a considerable long period. Indicatively, people depend on their backs for several chores and during many occasions (COHC, 2011).
As prompted by the discussion plan, man’s back has an important role. The basic function if is to support the entire human upper body. The back also props up the cranium. All of these anatomical structures are evidently important and have great weight. This condition has become so common amongst the elderly population in Australia (Walker, Muller & Grant, 2003). It has severe consequences and there is need for this Australian population to understand this complication. Apart from this, they need to strive to prevent further increase in the number of incidences. It is vital to recognize the causative factors and appropriate preventive mechanisms. This should be done it time before this condition disables a significant size of the viable older persons. Notably, there are various factors that have been indicated to lead to the development of this condition within adults. Some of the factors to be analyzed include biological and socio-cultural factors. These have largely been noted to contribute to the development of this condition in Australia.
Chronic Back Pain in Adults
Critically, previous studies in Australia in the periods of 2004 and 2005 elicited very vital indications. From these investigations, it was evident that lower chronic backache affects about a greater percentage of adult individuals. According to most studies, approximately 11.4% of the Australian citizens within an age category of 30 and above years suffer from the condition (Willis, Reynolds & Keleher, 2009). In the self report in formation revealed by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, persistent backache was indicated to be increasingly common amongst the elderly population. This was relative to the pattern observed within the younger population. Observably, there are different kinds of lower back pain notable within the adult Australian population.
It is crucial to agree that non-specific backache remains the highly widespread type. This type of backache is normally categorized in this group due to the fact that the main origin of the ache usually remains unknown. As a result, this complication may not be particularly diagnosed. The degree of this pain also varies from very serious to serene (Briggs & Buchbinder, 2009). Sciatica forms the next category of the adult lower backache. Alternatively, this condition might also be referred to as the ache within the nerve root. In Australia, the sciatica transpires within every one amongst 20 incidences of the backaches. Observably, it is the outcome of a nerve that emanates from a chord under pressure or hurt. The main contributory element of the complication is associated with the disc prolapsed. It is notable that a remarkably severe leg ache relative to the backache might be an indication of the complication.
Conditions Determining Occurrence of Persistent Backache Complication amongst the Older Persons
Biological Conditions
Evidently (as observed in Australia), many biologic conditions cause lower back pains in adults. Genetic makeup predominates as the basic and initial determinant. Various research institutes in Australia have indicated that backaches might emanate from inherited susceptibility factors (Willis, Reynolds & Keleher, 2009). The susceptibility factors might be inherited by the children through the transfer of genes. There are several genetic complications that may lead to the development of the backache. Some of these observed in Australia include osteoporosis, osteomalacia as well as osteoarthritis. Notably, these conditions are observed to emanate as Australians grow into advanced ages. The destructive contraction in height of the disc remains as a predominant hereditary occurrence. It leads to back complications. Nonetheless, this occurrence is just one of the several channels in which hereditary factors manipulate the transpiration of backache.
Indicatively, an individual’s age remains as potential biological factor that leads to the development or occurrence of backache within the elderly persons. The effect of age on the orientation of the inter-vertebrae is notable in Australia. Advancement in age makes these bone’s disks to wither and contract. As these bones move on the surface of one another, rigidity is created. Consequently, a backache is developed. Increased age also leads to the contraction within the human spinal cord. The spinal cord might also be termed as the spinal stenosis (Wand, McAuley, Marston & De Souza, 2009). Biologists indicate that the effect causes pressure to occur upon the nerves of the spinal system as well as the cord. Consequently this effect results into pain. Gender refers to a third element that may lead to the development of backache amongst the adults in Australia. It is significant to comprehend diverse aspects of back pain with regard to the health of adult Australian population.
In Australia, elderly females have been noted to register several complaints concerning backaches relative to the males. This situation might be potentiated by the pronounced curve notable within the female’s downer back muscles. This curve exerts increased force on the female’s back. It is also notable that the occurrence of persistent backache in Australia might also be stimulated by the female’s weight of the bust. Generally, the females with larger bust sizes are highly affected by the back muscle tension. When the back is hurt, there is emancipation of severe pain and distress. Age has also been noted to cause this condition in Australia. Physical harm may include a variety such as shock on the back (Willis, Reynolds & Keleher, 2009). This might emerge from accidental harm. There are other body parts that are likely to transfer harm to the back. Such bodily harms may occur within the superior spinal bone. The chest may also be injured. The bodily harm on muscles occurs during the instances of unusual activities such as pulling heavy material and other physical labor. As noted in Australia, slight back injuries might occur due to tripping, falling, or even extensive twisting. For the Australian government and health authorities to manage the condition, it is vital to avert the predisposing factors.
Socio-Cultural Factors (family & individual)
Previous studies in Australia associate chronic lower backaches with the nature of work an individual does. In Australia, older persons engaged in tasking jobs are more susceptible to backache complications. The strenuous duties make depression to alter the functioning of the brain. Blood circulation to diverse body sections is also minimized. Individuals under poverty remain more susceptible to backache in Australia (Guarino, 2010). This results from depression as well as deprived diet, which reduces the bone substitution rate as well as the capacity to heal from the backaches. The Australian health agencies should note the significance of social assistance intervention in healing those with backaches. Backaches might be caused by the absence of social assistance (Walker, Muller & Grant, 2003). As most studies indicate, make persons to be more attached to the social system. It also enhances the level of concern for the patient. In Australia, this observation is eminent during the therapy of backache (AIHW, 2005). In Australia, wealth also influences backache. There are disparities notable in backache within diverse factions. In Australia, the people from poor family backgrounds are more likely to suffer backaches in their old age.
Conclusion
It is evident that Australian adults continue to suffer from the back muscle complications. Studies in Australia indicate high incidences of persistent backaches amongst adults relative to the younger population. The two different kinds of backaches are observable. It is also notable to take into consideration, the three major conditions that influence the occurrence of the complication amongst the elderly in Australia. These have been elaborately described in the discussion. Amongst some of the biologic influences for this complication include heredity, age, as well as the gender of an individual. Women have specifically recorded high incidences of persistent backache as compared to the males in Australia. The indulgence of close acquaintances and other family members assist in the reduction of the severity of backache. As noted in Australia, the socio-cultural elements also remain significant in influencing the progression of backache. There is an eminent need for conducting further extensive investigations about this challenge in Australia.
References
AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare). (2005). Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions in Australia, 2005. Sydney: AIHW Canberra.
Briggs, A. & Buchbinder, R. (2009). Back pain: a National Health Priority Area in Australia? Medical Journal of Australia, 190 (9): 499-502.
COHC (Canberra Optimal Health Centre). (2011). Low Back Pain: It May Not Have To Be Yours Forever. Web.
Guarino, A. (2010). Get your lower back pain under control–and get on with life. Sydney: Johns Hopkins University Pr.
Walker, B., Muller, R. & Grant, W. (2004). Low back pain in Australian adults: prevalence and associated disability. Journal of Manipulative Physiol Ther., 27(4): 238-44.
Walker, F., Muller, R. & Grant D. (2003). Low back pain in Australian adults: the economic burden. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 15 (2), 79-87.
Wand, B., McAuley, J., Marston, J. & De Souza, L. (2009). Predicting outcome in acute low back pain using different models of patient profiling. Web.
Willis, E., Reynolds, L., & Keleher, H. (2009). Understanding the Australian health care system. Sydney: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.