Within the service back problems are commonplace, and it has been estimated the UK loses an incredible 4.9 million days to employee absenteeism through work related back pain.

For BackCare Awareness Week 2021, we put together a wide range of special blogs, videos and resources to help members deal with issues caused potentially through their everyday work.

Here’s a summary of what we did:

• In a new blog, Wellbeing Lead Belinda Goodwin, and National Board Lead for Operational Policing Steve Hartshorn discussed what PFEW is doing to support members with issues potentially caused by body armour – and how members can prevent back problems.

• We looked at factors which impact on our members’ ability to carry out their duties. In a blog, Leicestershire Police’s Chief Constable Simon Cole, the NPCC lead for Uniform, brought us up to date with the latest work being done nationally to help to ensure the health and safety of colleagues.

For many years, PFEW has been at the forefront of research. As part of the National Body Armour Working group, we work closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other policing organisations such as the Home Office and force health and safety leads.

• The Police Rehab Centre at Flint House successfully treats over 3,000 police officers every year. The Charity’s team of highly skilled Physiotherapists, Mental Health Practitioners and Registered Nurses, make it their mission to enable serving officers to get back to full duties, and also offer retired police officers help with physical rehabilitation.

In partnership with PFEW, Flint House produced a special series (see below) of three videos specially for BackCare Awareness Week 2021. In these informative videos Mark Bindefeld, Deputy Lead Rehabilitation Therapist at the Police Rehabilitation Centre in Goring, took us through some simple techniques to alleviate pain.

1. The first video looked at the importance of general fitness for avoiding back pain. Analysing core stability, this explained how to reduce back pain, and how to negate any back pain you might get in the future.
2. Video two looked at how you can use everyday items to help your back conditioning.
3. The third video highlighted the importance of moving when at a desk and changing posture.

BackCare Awareness Week 2021 (4-8 October) – Other Resources:

PFEW Back to Basics initiative

The Police Rehab Centre at Flint House

www.backcare.org.uk : Advice Videos

• What is back pain? - BackCare
• How to sit at your desk - BackCare
• Looking after your back - BackCare
• Exercises - lower back stretch - BackCare
• Keeping active - BackCare
• Exercises - posture improvement - BackCare