Spinal health issues affecting nearly one million Czechs

Data from the General Health Insurance Company (VZP) reveals that nearly 946,000 clients sought medical attention for spinal and back problems last year. Experts suggest that over 2 million people in the Czech Republic may be suffering from such issues.

Common conditions include scoliosis, degenerative spinal diseases, herniated discs, and inflammatory diseases such as Ankylosing Spondylitis. There is a growing trend of these ailments among children and adolescents, as well as a steady increase in adult patients, particularly women, who reached over 525,000 in 2025.

Medical professionals attribute the rise in spinal issues to modern lifestyle factors, specifically sedentary office work, lack of physical activity, and chronic stress, rather than the heavy physical labor associated with previous generations.