Dealing With A Bad Back

One of the most common complaints that people in general have is that of lower back pain. It affects people of all ages, weights, physical fitness levels and occupations. So many times a misstep or error in the mechanics of lifting can result in an injury to the back.

Many times people suffer from the injury and only if it is very annoying, painful, or recurrent do they seek medical attention. Unfortunately, though, for many that injury may be the start of many episodes and years of pain. Studies have shown that 7 out of 10 people who experience back pain will have another episode within a year.

If one is having pain it may be wise to seek medical care to make sure a serious problem is not the reason for the pain. Certainly, if any numbness occurs this should be checked out by your primary care provider or emergency room.

Researchers in Australia looked into this problem. Patients there with back pain were enrolled in the so-called Walk Back trial. Here half were enrolled in a six-month program that included physical therapist for six visits. These visits included

education about back pain and proper mechanics of lifting and caring for their back. They were also enrolled in a progressive walking program. Here they were expected to increase their ability to walk each week. The goal of the program was to work up to walking five days a week for 30 minutes by the end of the six-month program . The other participants in the study were not given this intensive care.

It was found that those in the educational and progressive walking program benefited greatly from the intervention. They had a marked decrease in their back pain and episodes of pack pain. It was felt that this intervention with education and modification in lifestyle was a cost-effective manner of decreasing the burden of back pain.

So, if you are one of those suffering from back pain, consider visiting your physical therapist for some education about the mechanic of your back and instruction in possibly how to lift objects and moving your body in space. Definitely though consider adding walking to your lifestyle.

Place yourself on a progressive plan of increasing your walking each week during a six-month period until you get up to walking 30 minutes, five days a week. Walking indoors or outdoors, this lifestyle modification is a winner on many fronts from strengthening your body, to losing weight, to improving your ability to deal with stress. What a great way to possibly save yourself and relieve that pain in the back.