Welsh Backs

Hedd Pugh knows all too well that back pain can strike when you least expect it.

Power-lifter: Dinas Mawddwy farmer Hedd Pugh gets his back into some building work.

"But the nature of farming means that life goes on and you have to get on with the job in hand," said Mr Pugh, who has been farming at Dinas Mawddwy in Gwynedd for more than 30 years.

"My advice is don't let back pain get you down. When it strikes you have to do your best to keep active and mobile. It is the only thing that works for me."

Mr Pugh's farm is stocked with 1200 sheep, so 'duvet days' are out of the question.

"I did develop some back trouble during my early 20s and it's the sort of thing that never goes away.

"But you have to look after yourself, take care when doing lifting work and manual labour. I find the best answer always is to keep busy and active."

Mr Pugh, who turned 50 in November, makes the occasional visit to a nearby osteopath, but usually relies on self-help to conquer any potential back problems.

"Pain is a very difficult thing to judge and compare in different people. We all have different pain thresholds.

"I have found there is little point in staying stuck in the chair and seizing up when back pain strikes. You have to work your way through it and get on with life.

Over you go: Dinas Mawddwy farmer Hedd Pugh lifts one of his sheep into a pen.

"For example, there would be no way I could contemplate being laid-up during a busy time such as the sheep-shearing season in June.

"It's hard work and involves a lot of bending and lifting, but you get on with it and keeping mobile does help tackle any potential problems."

Mr Pugh, a member of the National Farmers Union of Wales (NFU Cymru) who supports the current Welsh Backs health initiative, added: "We are all different, but as far as I am concerned the advice is to keep active and keep busy."

The Welsh Backs Government campaign to help the Welsh nation fight back troubles is a joint initiative developed in response to Health Challenge Wales. Welsh Backs aims to reduce the physical burden faced by more than two-thirds of the population of Wales who will at some time suffer from back pain.

For more information about the Welsh Backs campaign visit www.welshbacks.com

Editor's notes

1. Back pain will affect nearly 80% of us during our lives, probably more than once.
2. Back pain is rarely serious and there are lots of things you can do to manage your pain.
3. If you are affected by back pain, or know someone that is, there is a lot you can do to help yourself. There are public information leaflets available through the Welsh Backs website.
4. Staying active means different things to different people, but the simple message is carry on as you normally would. Don't be afraid to walk the dog, walk to work, or go for a swim, even if it hurts. It's the best thing you can do to speed your recovery.
5. 'Hurt does not mean harm'. Just because you're in pain, it doesn't mean you are doing permanent damage. It's okay to take over the counter pain killers to help you to carry on as normal and speed your recovery. The public information leaflet provides clear, concise advice.
6. What the experts say... Welsh Backs has been developed in consultation with a wide group of stakeholders and is supported by leading experts in this field. Dr Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer for Wales - "Stay active and lead as normal a life as possible." Prof Mansel Aylward, Chair, Wales Centre for Health - "Welsh Backs will contribute substantially to improving the health and well being of people in Wales." Terry Rose, Director, Health and Safety Executive for Wales and the South West - "Back injury is a very common problem, which in workplaces can often be avoided by simple changes to job design, the right training and the right equipment." Dr Sally Venn, GP - "I welcome the Welsh Backs initiative - reassuring back pain sufferers that staying active is definitely the right thing to do!"

For more information, please contact COI News and PR Wales on 0844 800 6823 or email Wales@COI.gsi.gov.uk.