Tradies from around the Tatiara were well taken care of in ‘National Tradies Health Month’. Almost 40 tradies from around the district gathered at Tatiara Truck and Trailers Bordertown at 6.30am on Thursday August 9. 

Canberra carpenter Adam Potts is the first to admit taking care of his body was not his top priority as a young builder. But at 35 and after 15 years as a tradie, the job is starting to take its toll.

A new study reveals that tradies are almost twice as likely to take care of their tools than their health despite having one of the highest injury rates of any occupation. The Empirica Research commissioned by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) was released on Wednesday to mark the launch of Tradies National Health Month.

New research suggests local tradies are more likely to take better care of their tools than their bodies. The findings have been released to coincide with Tradies National Health Month. The stats also show almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of Aussie tradies have been injured in their current job, with many failing to see a doctor.

Like any industry brewing has its hazards, but the Independent Brewers Association is working to make it as safe as possible. The Association has partnered with Victual Risk Management to launch the IBASafe Manual in April 2018. Prior to launching, Victual worked with Akasha Brewing Co to pilot the program and ensure it covered everything the brewing industry needed.

 New data released by medibank shows that since 2012 girls aged 10-19 have had a 31 per cent increase in ACL repairs. Looking at girls between 10-14, there's been a 52 per cent increase. It is thought this rise is partly due to more girls playing contact sports.

One in three Australians aged 65 and over is affected daily by chronic pain, according to a survey conducted by Chronic Pain Australia (CPA). Chronic pain is Australia’s third most costly health burden, the leading cause of early retirement, and costs the economy more than $34 billion per year, the survey says.

In the wake of the supermarket plastic bag ban, customers are raising concerns about shoulder injuries after carrying reusable bags “overfilled” with heavier shopping. Shoppers across the country have complained about supermarket checkout staff loading up the larger, sturdier bags simply because they can fit more in, making them heavy to carry and putting customers at risk of hurting themselves.

Advice to rest and avoid pain has traditionally been given to people with chronic pain. However, research linking lower back pain in teens with work absenteeism as adults points to the need to tackle pain early, eliminating fear-avoidance behaviour later in life. During National Pain Week (23–29 July) the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is highlighting the effectiveness of physiotherapy in pain management programs.

Two years ago, Eleanor Gair struggled to sit in an armchair and get up due to severe lower back pain - now she's mostly pain free.