Law enforcement officers are a profession in a unique position in many ways. We all know that they are exposed to many risk factors. But few of us are aware that police officers tend to be at higher risk for low back pain. This article will discuss the prevalence, cause, and management of low back pain in law enforcement first responders.
A recent study in the February 2017 issue of the research journal Spine looked at low back pain in members of the police profession. Questionnaires completed by 3,589 law enforcement officers revealed that nearly 70% reported symptoms of low back pain in the past 12 months. Almost 97% of them felt that the presence of their lower back pain was partially or totally related to their work in the police. Nearly 30% of those surveyed lived with chronic low back pain. These officers were more likely to report reduced work activities and missed work days in the past year due to their pain.
The causes of low back pain in the police community are due to a variety of factors.
Many in law enforcement are required to spend long hours driving vehicles. As these vehicles are used for longer periods by different drivers, the driver’s seats begin to break down. Upholstery may compact unevenly. If this is the case, the driver will be sitting in an awkward unbalanced position for many hours. When this occurs, it puts physical stress on the lower back and pelvic joints.
Another cause of back conditions is due to the sheer physicality of work. Police enforcement officers are required to physically chase suspects, climb and negotiate obstacles, and restrain violators. Sometimes a police officer is the first person to arrive in a medical emergency and may have to be in a posturally demanding position to administer CPR, resuscitation, stop blood loss, or extricate a victim from danger. Inevitably, again, physical stress occurs on the back.
One cause of back pain that is sometimes overlooked is the officer’s seat belt. A duty belt is worn around the top of the hips and holds not only a firearm, but many other items such as handcuffs, a baton, a radio, a TASER, and a bag for latex gloves. Work belts can be heavy, uncomfortable to wear, and put mechanical stress on your lower back.
There are undoubtedly other causes of lower back stress, but one gets the general idea from the examples above.
Whatever the cause of the injury and complaint, a physical solution and chiropractic care can often help a physical problem. Chiropractors focus on helping patients who have lower back pain. Many back conditions are caused by misalignments and improper movement of the bones of the spine and pelvis. Chiropractors can evaluate the police officer during a physical exam and determine if realignment by the chiropractor performing a chiropractic adjustment will help correct the cause of the back pain.
Chiropractors are experts in treating lower back injuries. Many law enforcement officers who have developed back ailments due to their line of work have been helped by chiropractors. Additionally, many police officers see chiropractors on an ongoing basis for maintenance care to avoid injury and enjoy a long and healthy career.