Workers in the transport and logistics sector are being encouraged to take proactive steps to protect their back health, as figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal that 20,000 people in the industry are currently on long-term sick leave due to musculoskeletal issues.

The statistics show that musculoskeletal conditions, including chronic back pain, account for 5.5% of all sick leave across the UK workforce. Between 60% and 80% of Britons will suffer from back pain during their lifetime, with transport and logistics workers particularly at risk due to long hours, heavy lifting and physically demanding routines.

To mark Back Care Awareness Week (13-19 October), the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has launched the Stand:Stretch:Stride Rule – a three-step framework designed to help workers manage their back health. 

The simple guideline encourages people to take three minutes every 30 minutes to stretch or move, aiming for at least 30 minutes of activity each day.

The exercises are designed to be completed on site, whether workers are driving long distances, loading and unloading goods, or working in warehouses and depots. The approach is supported by Chief Medical Officers' guidelines on physical activity and NHS recommendations to move every 30 minutes.

Tim Button, Chiropractor and President of the BCA, said: "Those working in transport and logistics face some of the toughest physical demands of any job, so it's no surprise that back pain and musculoskeletal issues are so common. In our profession we see the impact every day – from persistent aches to injuries that keep people off work for weeks."

The initiative follows the BCA's recent Health Economics Report, which suggests that improved access to chiropractic care could save £400 million annually and unlock hundreds of thousands of extra musculoskeletal appointments each year.