BUILDERS working on the new Holy Cross Hospital extension benefited from some free advice during national Back Care Awareness Week.

Back pain is one of the main causes of absence from work and is said to cost the economy £15 billion every year. Back Care Awareness Week is organised annually by national charity, Backcare.

The physiotherapy centre held a free drop-in session for workers worried about aches and pains in their backs.

“Construction work can take its toll on backs so it’s really important that builders know how look after themselves,” As an industry, construction does a lot of excellent work in educating builders about good working practices,” said Ed Carroll, musculoskeletal expert at Holy Cross’ physiotherapy centre

“For the past 18 months or so we’ve had builders on site building a new education centre so we wanted to share our expertise with them during Back Care Awareness Week and help them to look after themselves.”

Many of The Physiotherapy Centre’s patients present with back pain. The centre’s therapists provide one-to-one consultations and treatment, including hydrotherapy and acupuncture, as well as individual and small group classes in Pilates and other techniques.

Patients can refer themselves for a consultation by calling the centre on (01428) 647647, or visiting www.thephysiotherapy centre.org.uk to find out more information.