Every third person in Saxony-Anhalt suffers from back pain
One in three people in Saxony-Anhalt received medical treatment for back pain in 2021. According to the "AOK Health Atlas" published on Wednesday, around 35 percent of Saxony-Anhalt residents went to the doctor because of back or neck pain. This is one of the highest figures in Germany. Nationwide, just under 31.5 percent were treated for back pain. The figures have been relatively stable for five years.
Women were affected more frequently than men (around 11.6 million) with around 14.5 million diagnoses nationwide. The proportion of patients complaining of back pain increased significantly with age.
According to the "Health Atlas", it is not only older age, but also depression and stress, dissatisfaction at work or being overweight that can contribute to back pain. According to previous studies, regular sport and exercise are the best way to prevent back pain, as the report states.
The Health Atlas is based on diagnoses documented by doctors and determined by the health insurance companies. Only patients who have sought medical help are recorded. The duration, intensity or exact location of the pain do not play a role in the data collection.
In an effort to alleviate back pain, many individuals in Saxony-Anhalt considered investing in health insurance plans with comprehensive coverage for medical treatments. Interestingly, the "AOK Health Atlas" highlights that regular exercise can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing back pain.
Source: www.dpa.com
