Australian men’s back pain linked to mental health and productivity losses

New survey data from the Australian Chiropractors Association shows back pain is widespread among Australian men and is tied to higher mental health strain, workplace productivity losses and rising economic costs. The group says the issue is especially acute for working-age men heading into National Men’s Health Week.

Why it matters: - Back pain is affecting most Australian men and is spilling into mental health, work performance and income. - The Australian Chiropractors Association says the burden is being under-recognised, especially among working-age men. - Chronic musculoskeletal disorders, including back pain, are projected to cost the Australian economy $638 billion in lost productivity over the next decade.

What happened: - The Australian Chiropractors Association released findings from the 2026 Spinal Health Survey ahead of National Men’s Health Week, set for 15-21 June. - Pureprofile conducted the independent national survey of 1,040 Australian adults in May 2026. - The survey found 87.5% of Australian men reported back pain in the last 12 months. - Dr Billy Chow, ACA president, said men aged 31-40 reported the highest mental health burden from back pain, at 57.0% moderate-to-extreme impact. - The same age group for women recorded a 54.8% moderate-to-extreme mental health impact. - The survey found 47.8% of men had back pain without ever seeking a formal medical diagnosis. - Men’s GP consultation rates fell 21.9% between 2024 and 2026. - Women’s GP consultation rates fell 7.5% over the same period.

The details: - The survey found 92.9% of employed Australians had experienced back pain. - One-in-five employed Australians, or 21.7%, reported impaired workplace productivity because of back pain. - Among working-age Australians aged 25-60 who reported low back pain, 28.5% said they needed time off work or were no longer able to work in the past 12 months. - Physical workers who lift or carry reported the highest clinical burden, with 49.4% living with chronic pain and 55.5% reporting moderate-to-extreme mental health impact. - Construction and trades showed the highest burden by industry. - In those sectors, 60.0% of back pain sufferers reported chronic back pain and 64.0% reported moderate-to-extreme mental health impact. - Hands-on trades have a 98%-99% male workforce, and 88% of construction workers are men. - 44.0% of all male back pain sufferers reported chronic back pain, defined as pain lasting 12 weeks or more. - Workers who stand reported the highest chronic pain rate at 55.4%, or 11.1 percentage points above average. - Shift workers reported 5.7 percentage points more chronic pain than day workers and 3.7 percentage points greater mental health impact. - Among employed respondents, 75% performed computer or desk work. - The most common work-related triggers were desk work at 26.4%, computer use at 22.7%, poor ergonomics at 12.3% and workplace injury at 7.9%. - Employed respondents reported a 44.8% chronic pain rate and 44.6% moderate-to-extreme mental health impact. - The ACA member survey of 110 chiropractors found 47% had back pain patients on workers’ compensation leave. - Financial constraints were cited as the biggest clinical challenge by 50% of chiropractors. - Deloitte says 6.1 million Australians are already affected by musculoskeletal disorders. - Deloitte says 58% of those affected are working age, 25-64. - Deloitte says musculoskeletal disorders cost the Australian economy $55.1 billion a year in direct health costs, lost productivity and reduced quality of life. - Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine projected in August 2025 that 3.2 million working-age Australians could be living with chronic back pain by 2033 if common back pain is not addressed. - Monash projected that outcome would cut Australia’s GDP by about 4.6% over 10 years.

Between the lines: - The data points to a cycle in which pain, untreated or poorly managed, can worsen mental health and make recovery harder. - ACA is framing back pain as both a health issue and a workplace safety issue, not just a personal medical problem. - The strongest burdens appear in male-dominated physical jobs, but desk-based work is also a major trigger, which broadens the risk beyond trades.

What’s next: - ACA is urging workplaces, employers and working-age Australians to assess spinal health habits and identify back pain triggers during Week 2 of Spinal Health Month. - ACA is directing people to free resources at spinalhealth.org.au to improve spinal health and overall wellbeing. - ACA says preventing back pain should be treated as a workplace health and safety priority to reduce workers’ compensation claims, sick leave and lost productivity. - The association also invited media inquiries via ACA@insightcommunications.net.au and its media centre at Media centre.

The bottom line: - Back pain is emerging as a major driver of hidden mental health strain and productivity loss for Australian men, especially those in working age and physically demanding jobs.