The bad back myth

Peter Costello voices his concern about “bad backs” and DSP, but what’s the truth? His careless remark gives us a wonderful insight into the depth of knowledge that underlies the Coalition Government’s plans for the disabled.

While 33% of DSP recipients have a “musculoskeletal or soft tissue injury”, this includes far more than just backs. It includes all the “arthritis” conditions, tendonitis, repetitive strain injuries and the like. The graph below tells the story.



See the ABS Statistics

As an assessor, my impression is that the major sources of back injuries are men who have long work histories in heavy industry (before OH&S was taken seriously) and women involved in nursing, aged care and cleaning. Trauma from Motor Vehicle Accidents is also significant.

To qualify for DSP, one’s back pain must be almost constant and severe. The person needs to have had every reasonable treatment such as Physiotherapy, rehabilitation, Pain Management and medication. They need to have been properly assessed by their own Doctor, a Medical specialist and a skilled Work Capacity Assessor. They need to be determined as incapable of working 30 (soon to be 15) hours per week in a job available anywhere in Australia at award wages.

Read the The Government's own criteria

The ignorant Mr Costello promotes a simple solution -moving people with back injuries into “non-manual” positions. Obviously he has no understanding of back injuries. People with back injuries need work where they can alternate between sitting and standing, as well as move around regularly. They need to take rest breaks as required. The position that is most comfortable for rest varies with the individual condition and the nature of the injury. For some, lying down is necessary. Many report that no position is comfortable. Constant pain and the side effects of medication impair performance, judgement and concentration. Non-manual work can be just as problematic as manual work. Sedentary work is worse.

Access to treatment is another barrier. Waiting time for treatment in public facilities is typically 12-24 months. So unless you are “fortunate” enough to be injured in a work accident, if you can’t pay for private rehabilitation, good luck.

Of course this doesn’t mean that people with back injuries can’t live worthwhile, productive lives. It’s just that the majority are not the bludgers Peter Costello is whinging about, and his proposed measures will do little to encourage or help people with moderate to serious back disability.