The Australian Chiropractors Association launched National Spinal Health Month (1–30 June) with the theme “A healthy spine supports a healthy mind,” highlighting the interconnection between back pain and mental health. ACA President Dr Billy Chow emphasized that the coexistence of back pain and mental health conditions is associated with impaired quality of life, while chronic musculoskeletal disorders pose significant financial burden, particularly as cost-of-living pressures mount. Depression can worsen back pain and increase disability, which in turn worsens back pain’s negative impact on mental health.
A new Australian clinical research study examined integrating an online, psychologically informed pain management program with standard chiropractic musculoskeletal care. The study, funded by ACA and conducted through CQUniversity with Macquarie University’s MindSpot program, was led by Dr David McNaughton, a chiropractor and Senior Lecturer at CQUniversity. His research applied a biopsychosocial model focusing on relationships between spinal health, chronic pain, and psychological impact, showing encouraging results in mitigating musculoskeletal disorder effects on physical and mental health.
An independent national survey by Pureprofile revealed concerning trends: 87.1% of Australian adult respondents experienced back pain within the past 12 months, with almost three quarters (69%) reporting mental health impacts, and nearly half (45.9%) reporting moderate to extreme impact. In the past two years, chronic pain surged 22%, with the proportion of back pain sufferers with chronic pain increasing from 30% in 2024 to 44.1% in 2026. Cost-of-living pressures are preventing treatment-seeking: 44% reported cost prevented them from seeking professional help, with GP visits down 14%, physiotherapy down 23%, and chiropractic down 19% since 2024. Meanwhile, 85% of sufferers reported using over-the-counter pain medication—up from 81% in 2024—while 61% reported using prescription medication. Notably, 1 in 10 back pain sufferers reported taking over-the-counter medications daily, despite clinical evidence that paracetamol is no more effective than placebo for low back pain.
Of major concern, 52% of back pain sufferers reported back pain added to their mental load, with women particularly affected: 55% reported added mental load, and 28% said they were more likely than men to avoid treatment due to cost. An estimated 6.1 million Australians are affected by musculoskeletal disorders, with 58% of working age (25–64 years), representing 28.5% requiring time off work or becoming unable to work.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.financialcontent.com/article/prlog-2026-6-1-research-and-data-reveals-back-pains-mental-physical-and-financial-toll