Low back pain in rural Tibet

Low back pain is a significant, under recognised problem in central Tibet, impairing health and productivity. In a baseline assessment of 30 rural villages surrounding Shigatse City, Tibet, many people, especially women, identified low back pain as a serious health problem. Consequently, the aim was to establish the prevalence of such pain and to develop appropriate interventions.
 
A Back-Happy Tap-Stand was designed and installed in more than 30 villages. The stand reduces the need for lumbar flexion by adding a high tap and waist-high bench to water collection points, removing the necessity of having to bend when filling and lifting water containers.