It's a Pain in the Back!

It's a Pain in the Back!

Back pain is one of the most common ailments that a person will suffer from in their lifetime. Studies estimate that as many as 80 percent of the population will experience a back problem some time in their life. In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that at least $50 billion dollars a year is spent on back pain. Back pain is one of the top five reasons that patients visit their doctor. It is a very common injury and you are NOT alone or different if you suffer from back pain.ParkwayHealth Chiropractic Services are available at ParkwayHealth Gleneagles Medical Center.

-----By Dr. Atipa Limpisvasti, B.Sc.M.Chiropractic, ParkwayHealth ParkwayHealth is a member of Parkway Pantai Group. Parkway Pantai is one of Asia’s largest integrated private healthcare groups. It operates 31 hospitals with more than 6,000 beds in Singapore, Malaysia, India, China, Brunei and United Arab Emirates.In 2005, ParkwayHealth opened its first medical center in Shanghai, bringing world-renowned quality healthcare to China. Through the acquisition of World Link Group in 2007, ParkwayHealth becomes Shanghai’s largest foreign-owned medical network.ParkwayHealth China is a leading international healthcare provider. With a team of over 95 internationally trained physicians, we now operate 10 medical and dental centers conveniently located in Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing and Hong Kong offering more than 40 specialties.

What are some of the Causes of Back Pain?

The spine is a very complicated structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, nerves and muscles. Many of us can pull muscles, sprain ligaments, irritate joints or rupture discs and sometimes a combination of the above. Injuries to our back can be from macro traumas like sporting injuries, falls or motor vehicle accidents. Smaller micro traumas such as prolonged work positions, bending, picking things up from the floor and even sneezing can trigger back pain. Arthritis, poor posture, weight gain and psychological stress may at times complicate or cause back pain. Other non-mechanical types of back pain can result from diseases of the internal organs, such as kidney stones, bone loss or blood clots.

Does Back Pain Heal Itself?

We used to believe that back pain would heal or "fix" itself. However, this is not always the case. Personally, I have suffered from low back pain on and off for over ten years and used to think that it would just go away by itself. I have found this to be one of the most common misconceptions people have about back pain. Recent research supports that neck and low back pain tend to be recurrent. It is important for people to get a proper diagnosis and become educated about back pain, find out why it occurs and determine how to best manage the condition. This approach will give people the best long term prognosis and improve their overall health.

So What Can You Do To Help Prevent and Treat Low Back Pain?

These tips will help prevent and improve back pain and in turn benefit your health:

?Always bend at the legs and keep your back straight, never bend and twist when lifting.

?Take frequent breaks and stretch, particularly if you are sitting for long periods of time.

?Set up your work area and desk ergonomically to minimize postural stress.

?Be active! Exercise and walking helps reduce back pain. An inactive lifestyle contributes to back pain.

?Maintain a healthy diet, weight and drink plenty of water.

?Wear comfortable, low heeled shoes.

?Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow to spinal tissues resulting in nutrient and oxygen deprivation.

Finally, it's a good idea to make an appointment to talk to your healthcare professional to get an accurate diagnosis and together develop a customized treatment plan to take care of that pain in your back.