“Why Is Everyone’s Back Hurting? 70% of Ghanaian Adults Suffer from Low Back Pain—And I Might Be One of Them”
— A physiotherapist raises the alarm, but the real wake-up call might be your own aching spine.
It started with a weird stiffness in the mornings. Nothing serious. Just a little tightness in my lower back every time I bent to tie my shoes. I figured I’d just slept funny or maybe stood too long the day before.
Fast-forward three months: I was hunched over my bed like an old man after sweeping a small hallway.
And that’s when I heard it—on a local radio health segment:
“Over 70% of Ghanaian adults are suffering from low back pain.”
A physiotherapist was sounding the alarm, but honestly? It didn’t feel like an alarm to me. It felt like a confirmation.
Because almost everyone I know—young, old, gym rat, office worker, even that strong auntie who sells at the market—has at some point rubbed their back and winced.
We’re All Walking Around in Pain and Pretending We’re Fine
Let’s be honest: most of us don’t even take back pain seriously until we literally can’t sit, stand, or sleep properly.
We act like it’s just “body heat” or maybe we "twisted something small." Some people run to painkillers. Others go straight to prayer camp (because of course, spiritual warfare). But very few of us actually seek out proper help.
And I’m not blaming anyone. It’s not always easy to know where to go. Or afford it. Or even admit something is wrong—especially when society expects you to just “man up” or “push through.”
But here's what this physiotherapist is saying that we can’t ignore anymore:
Low back pain is becoming an epidemic in Ghana.
Not just an inconvenience. Not just “old people problem.”
A real, silent epidemic.
What’s Causing It?
I’m not a doctor, but from what I’ve noticed (and felt), it’s probably a mix of everything.
- Bad posture. (Ever caught yourself slouched on your phone for an hour straight?)
- Heavy lifting. (Shoutout to all the market women carrying entire shops on their heads.)
- Sitting too long. (Office workers, remote workers, drivers... yeah, you too.)
- No exercise. (Unless you count walking to the fridge during commercials.)
- Stress. (Because mental tension does translate to physical pain.)
And don’t get me started on beds that feel like concrete, old plastic chairs, or the backbreaking commute in trotros with zero lumbar support.
“It’s Nothing” Can Become Something
In my experience, the worst part about low back pain isn’t the pain itself. It’s the delay in doing anything about it.
We keep ignoring the signs.
We keep adjusting our sitting position like it’ll magically go away.
We keep joking about it—“Ah, my back oo!”—as if humor will heal us.
But what if it’s your spine saying, “Hey... I’m not okay.”
And what if waiting makes it worse?
Not Just a Health Issue — A Productivity Killer
Here’s something we don’t talk about enough: low back pain doesn’t just hurt you, it hurts your life.
It slows you down. Kills your energy. Affects your sleep. Makes you grumpy for no reason. And over time, it can ruin your ability to work, take care of your family, or even enjoy simple things—like dancing at a wedding or playing with your kids.
And guess what? The physiotherapist pointed out that many of these cases are preventable or manageable—if we catch them early.
But how do you catch something you’re taught to ignore?
So... What Can We Do?
I’m not totally sure, but maybe it starts with listening to our bodies.
Not brushing off pain as just “stress” or “old age” or “bad luck.”
Actually seeing a physiotherapist. Taking movement breaks. Doing stretches in the morning. Investing in decent chairs (or at least cushions).
Maybe it means demanding better ergonomic spaces at work. Or adding back health to the conversation around wellness—not just weight loss or glowing skin.
Because back pain is not sexy, but it’s real. And if 7 out of 10 of us are dealing with it?
Then maybe the real national emergency isn’t just electricity or roads.
It’s our spines.
Final Thought
I’m not writing this from a place of perfect health. I still stretch awkwardly before getting out of bed. I still catch myself slouching while typing this. I’m still learning.
But what if we all started paying attention—before the pain forces us to?
What if our bodies aren’t betraying us... they’re begging us to care?
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