A new national survey has revealed that 86.7% of Australian women suffered back pain in the past 12 months. Of those women afflicted 57.5% experienced mental fatigue, 54.8% reported it added to their mental load and 47.6% experienced a moderate-to-extreme mental health impact as a result of back pain.
The new data obtained from the 2026 Spinal Health Survey, an independent national survey by Pureprofile (May 2026) of 1,040 Australian adults (528 Women and 512 Males), revealed that although the prevalence is slightly lower than men (87.5%), women experience significantly higher psychological consequences due to back pain.
ACA Women In Chiropractic Chair Dr Ali Young said, “With 53.7% of women suffering back pain reporting they’ve never sought a formal medical diagnosis, saying the barriers partly financial; 49.7% of women said the cost of living has prevented them from seeking treatment.
“The survey results should prompt a serious national conversation about how women can improve their spinal health because back pain is not just a musculoskeletal problem; it incorporates mental health, equity and quality-of-life issues that deserve far greater attention,” she said.
“With numerous studies finding people living with chronic back pain are at heightened risk of experiencing mental health problems including a study by the International Association for the Study of Pain (2021), the significantly high number of women reporting chronic back pain is concerning,” said Dr Young.
“Women are managing back pain alongside the mental, physical and financial demands of family life with the data showing the combined load is substantial,” said Dr Young.
In women, depression or anxiety from back pain peaked in the 51–60 age group at 17.1% – a critical age that coincides with peak income-earning, caring responsibilities and hormonal changes. “It’s recognised by healthcare professionals that chronic back pain can lead to psychological and social problems when depressive symptoms worsen back pain and increase the disability associated with it, which in turn can exacerbate back pain’s negative impact on the mental health of sufferers,” she said.
“The vicious cycle of back pain triggering a mental health problem can lead to the original back pain problem worsening and continue to accelerate unabated in the absence of interventions to break the pain cycle, while the costs of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including back pain, to the Australian economy continue to rise substantially,” Dr Young said.
During National Spinal Health Month (June), the ACA is encouraging women and families to prioritise their spinal health and seek evidence-based, drug-free healthcare to help prevent developing a chronic condition and minimise the impact back pain has on their mental health.
10 Things You Can Do to Improve Spine Health
Maintain good posture: Keep your ears, shoulders and hips aligned when sitting or standing. Poor posture places unnecessary strain on the spine and surrounding muscles.
Stay physically active: Regular movement helps keep spinal joints mobile and strengthens the muscles that support your back. Walking, swimming and cycling are excellent low-impact options.
Strengthen your core: Strong abdominal and back muscles act like a natural brace for your spine, improving stability and reducing the risk of injury.
Stretch regularly: Gentle stretching improves flexibility and reduces muscle tension in the back, hips and hamstrings, all of which influence spinal health.
Lift correctly: Bend at your knees rather than your waist, keep objects close to your body and avoid twisting while lifting heavy items.
Maintain a healthy weight: Excess body weight, particularly around the abdomen, increases pressure on the spine and can contribute to back pain.
Prioritise quality sleep: A supportive mattress and pillow help maintain spinal alignment and allow your body to recover overnight.
Take breaks from sitting: Prolonged sitting can place stress on spinal discs. Aim to stand, stretch or walk for a few minutes every 30 to 60 minutes.
Stay hydrated: The discs between your vertebrae contain a high percentage of water. Good hydration helps them maintain their cushioning properties.
Don’t ignore persistent pain: Ongoing back or neck pain should be assessed by a healthcare professional. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming chronic problems.
