Shoppers pick up back pain advice

Physiotherapists will visit stores in Grangemouth and Stirling

Customers at supermarkets in Grangemouth and Stirling are to be given information on back care.

The Keep Moving, Keep Living campaign, which is taking place during Back Care Awareness Week, will also feature advice on preventing back pain.

Physiotherapists and exercise consultants from NHS Forth Valley will visit Asda in Grangemouth and Sainsbury's in Stirling.

Back ache is thought to cost the Scottish economy up to £1bn every year.

As part of the campaign, video screens will show shoppers the exercise classes held at Grangemouth leisure centre.

Staying healthy

In Stirling, customers at Sainsbury's supermarket will get the chance to talk to exercise consultants and local physiotherapists.

Norma Turvill, a physiotherapist with Forth Valley Back Pain Service, said: "This is a very good opportunity to get the message across that movement and exercise are a very important part of staying healthy.

"Long-term back pain can play havoc with people's lifestyles, both at work and home.

"As physiotherapists we spend a lot of time telling people how important it is to keep active and encouraging them to find some form of regular enjoyable exercise."

It is estimated that up to four out of five people will experience back pain lasting more than a day at some time in their life.