SELECTED ELEMENTS OF LIFESTYLE IN RELATION TO THE LEVEL OF A NON-SPECIFIC PAIN OF THE CERVICAL SPINE IN PERSONS AGED 20-35 YEARS

Background. Non-specific back pain indicating serious distant health and social consequences is an important challenge for both health promotion and prevention programs.

Material and methods. The study was conducted 150 patients (20-35 years) of the Rehabilitation Centre of the Regional Occupational Medicine Centre, Therapeutic and Preventive Centre in Lublin diagnosed with non-specific neck pain. The study also used VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) for self-assessment of the severity of pain - using proprietary questionnaire.

Results. The study also revealed unhealthy behaviour of respondents: lack of regular physical activity, regular – almost daily – consumption of alcohol and fatigue. In 36% of study participants, abnormal body mass index (BMI) was found. There was a significant relationship between the irregularity of this index and the level of severity of pain according to VAS (visual analogue scale). Reported pain was the greater – the more the respondents crossed a normal working time. No significant relationship between the level of pain and the

quality of physical recreation, economic status and the level of life satisfaction was shown.

Conclusions. Prevention programs should be addressed especially to women with abnormal BMI value who perform long hours’ office work. Health education in the field of work ergonomics, compensatory exercises and rational nutrition is necessary.