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EFIC On the move

EFIC ON THE MOVE

 

Physical activity´s well-known health benefits include a reduced risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and improved mental health. What is less well known is that greater levels of physical activity and exercise are also associated with a lower risk of developing chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain on a daily basis for 12 weeks. It is a significant health issue affecting between 12-30% Europeans.

The cost to the economy is enormous in terms of healthcare costs and lost productivity (2.2% of GDP in Germany, 2.8% in Ireland, and 1.7% in the Netherlands).

Therefore, our Past President, Bart Morlion, launched the idea of a Presidential Campaign, that will run across the three-year mandate of each President. The theme for 2017-2020 was ‘EFIC On the Move’ focusing on the importance of physical activity in preventing primary and secondary pain.

Factsheet: EFIC On The Move at a glance

OUR CALL TO ACTION

 

All healthcare professionals should advise patients on the importance of physical activity and the role that  physical activity plays in the prevention of chronic pain. This requires knowledge, motivation, empowerment (using language that patients understand), a physical environment that facilitates change and a plan that helps them to persevere.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

 

Please contact secretary@efic.org if you wish to use these materials for your own campaign activities, or if you wish to request a translation into your own local language.

CAMPAIGN MILESTONES

 

Working Group Members
  • Henrik Bjarke Vægter (Chair)
  • Michiel Reneman
  • Mira Meeus
  • Jonas Verbrugghe
  • Caitriona Cunningham
Physical Activity and Pain: A Few Facts

Physical activity:

  • Reduces a person’s chance of developing low back pain by 40%.
  • Reduces a person’s chance of developing osteoarthritis by 50% (e.g. hip and knees).
  • Increased frequency, duration, and intensity of exercise are associated with less chronic pain when age,education, and smoking are taken into account.
  • Reduces the chance amongst 20-64 year olds of developing chronic pain by 10-12% compared with those who don’t exercise.
  • In older women it reduces the chance of developing chronic pain by 21–38% compared with those who are not exercising.
  • Older people who exercise more regularly, for longer and at a higher intensity are less likely to develop chronic pain.
  • People in working age who exercise 3-5 times a week are also less likely to develop chronic pain.

CAMPAIGN  TOOLS

TRANSLATIONS

Albania
  • Tips for people living with pain, for healthcare professionals, and for the General Public – download the infographic
Denmark
  • Tips for people living with pain, for healthcare professionals, and for the General Public – download the infographic
Estonia
  • Tips for people living with pain, for healthcare professionals, and for the General Public – download the infographic
France
  • Tips for people living with pain, for healthcare professionals, and for the General Public – download the infographic
Germany
  • Video: Tips for people living with pain, healthcare professionals, for the General Public – watch here
  • Tips for people living with pain, for healthcare professionals, and for the General Public – download the infographic
Hungary
  • Video: Tips for people living with pain, healthcare professionals, for the General Public – watch here
  • Tips for people living with pain, for healthcare professionals, and for the General Public – download the infographic
Italy
  • Tips for people living with pain, for healthcare professionals, and for the General Public – download the infographic
Lithuania
  • Tips for people living with pain, for healthcare professionals, and for the General Public – download the infographic
Poland
Portugal
  • Video: Tips for people living with pain, healthcare professionals, for the General Public – watch here
  • Tips for people living with pain, for healthcare professionals, and for the General Public – download the infographic
Serbia
  • Tips for people living with pain, for healthcare professionals, and for the General Public – download the infographic
Spain
  • Tips for people living with pain, for healthcare professionals, and for the General Public – download the infographic
The Netherlands
  • Tips for people living with pain, for healthcare professionals, and for the General Public – download the infographic
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