The most common musculoskeletal problem of the 21st century.
It costs thousands of dollars in treatments, medications and medical bills.
Yet 80% of all adults will suffer at some point the dreaded LOW BACK PAIN, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Commonly diagnosed as lumbar sprain or strain, this epidemic has most specialists frustrated and most health care system backed up with patients who don’t know where to turn for relief.
Why do we get low back pain
There are many reasons for having low back pain, from a false movement to degeneration of the vertebrates.
The main reason that has been discovered in recent years is that humans are becoming more and more sedentary every day, which means that we don’t move as much as we used to. For example, think about how long you stay sitting down in one day. Recently an article in the Washington post explained that an adult spends about 6 and 1/2 hours sitting down and teenagers about 8hrs.
This life style is a detriment to our spine, how? The problem lies in muscle functions.
Have you ever noticed that if you try to do an activity that you haven’t done in a while, the next day, your muscles are sore and you are in pain because of it? For example, I went skiing this winter for the first time in 2 years and even though I have done exercises for my legs regularly, the type of activity that is skiing made my quadriceps and my knees sore the next morning. It was as if I was learning to walk again. The reason is that when we don’t use certain muscles, they become weaker and, therefore, create an instability with our joints and bones.
Because of our sedentary life, our back muscles, are the least used during a day or night. The more the muscles become weak, the less stable our spine becomes which leads to numerous complications since the pressures we appropriate to our back never diminishes but usually increases.
This leads to lumbar strains or sprains, herniated disks, radiculopathy, sciatica or Spondylolisthesis just to name a few.
The number one thing that people will do is a quick medication to relieve the pain. Either by pain killers (opioids) or pain relief sprays, creams or gel. Do not be fooled, temporary relief, although useful, will not fix the problem. In fact, it can lead to more complications such as an addiction to the medication or, since the problem was never rectified, an increase in musculoskeletal injuries.
Another, more logical option is to see a physical therapist (physiotherapist), chiropractor or osteopath. The results vary greatly since there are so many variables and so many different types of treatments but these professionals are specialized in the bio mechanics and anatomy of the human body. The issue with this paramedical approach is that you need to find the right one for you, if you would like to know more on the subject, read this blog.
Who has the right cure
The simple answer to this is : no one.
If we could compare our back to a puzzle, most solutions presented in this book are pieces to a complete solutions. Some may fit and some won't, but the only person that can put it together is yourself.
One piece of the puzzle that seems to fit for everyone though is a proper rehabilitation program that include stretches, strengthening muscles, realignment exercises and an education on postural hygiene which is to say learning how to sit, walk, work and sleep properly.
An interesting research from the british medical journal, compared physical therapy treatment with simply giving advice and at home exercise program. The result proved that getting advice and doing regular exercises, have the same results as getting treatments regularly. This blog is not advocating that you do not go and see a therapist for treating your MSK (musculoskeletal) problem, since to get the right advice and get the right program you need professionals or else you could injure yourself even more.
Rather the point is that the cure lies in each of us. No matter how many times you go see specialists, odds are you will not get better if you don't put in the work yourself. By following a program and heeding advice on posture and habits, we can get rid of low back pain and keep it at bay. Of course, to do so means doing an effort each day for up to 6 months (depending on each individual). We suggest you use a pain relief spray or cream to help with the daily excercise and to help feed and repair damage muscle such as TriumphdailyMD.com.
Please consult your physical therapist for home rehabilitation treatments and if Interested in a daily treatment to relieve pain and strengthen muscle tissues check out TriumphdailyMD.com.
