Common Misconceptions About Back Pain

Neel Anand, MD demystifies common myths about back pain. Dr. Anand is the Director of Orthopedic Spine Surgery at the Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders in Los Angeles.

Your mother wasn�t entirely incorrect; hunching your back can definitely be bad for your spine. Nevertheless, the reverse is true also. Sitting up straight for too long without a rest may also add stress to the structures of the spine. Be sure to stand up, stretch, and take a quick walk several times a day to help you from developing complications which can lead to injury.

Conversely, a mattress that is too soft could lack the support necessary to allow appropriate movements. Studies reveal that the medium-firm mattress offers an ideal level of support to help prevent additional injury.

Exercise Behind Back Pain

A survey by the North American Spine Society revealed this as the number one misconception. Of course, in the event that you aren�t energetic all week and you participate in a strenuous activity soon after, you could readily experience injury. It’s possible for you to help prevent back pain by preparing your body for especially more intense work outs and the shock of everyday motions before engaging in physical activity with stretches and warm-up exercises to greatly help wake up muscle tissue. (Take a cue from professional sportsmen who factor stretching and warm ups within their daily routine.) By strengthening your core and torso, you strengthen your back. That means exercises focused on strengthening back muscles and your stomach together with cardio to improve your total fitness.

Other Causes for Back Pain

Getting older doesn�t mean life needs to be debilitating. While there are aches and pains which occur naturally with age, remaining physically fit through exercise helps keep our bodies strong, flexible and limber, making them extremely beneficial to your overall health and wellness. There are so many exercise options to try including Tai Chi, Pilates, yoga and other treatment options that range from acupuncture to complex treatment alternatives, surgical and nonsurgical, to physical therapy. The bottom line is, back pain is not something you should have to live with.

Back pain sufferers often claim that an improper twist caused their injury. However, that occasion was probably the end result of a great many other variables. Overdoing a workout, while lifting heavy things, using poor techniques, bad posture and particularly weight gain can all place strain on the spine and lead to seemingly �out of nowhere � spasms. Occasionally the issue is more serious, as with joint and disc disorders and injuries.

There are few things as relaxing as sinking into a warm tub, but after injuring your back, doing so could really make your situation worse by increasing inflammation. Healthcare specialists recommend applying ice to the affected region for 20 minutes at a time for the initial two or three days in order to be able to decrease pain and inflammation. Individuals who suffer with chronic back pain and who do not experience inflammation can find relief with a warm bathtub. Play it safe and check with your healthcare professional for the best treatment option.

Most people will experience some form of back pain in their life, but the majority will find relief through simple lifestyle changes such as exercise, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy, or even simply by waiting it out. In fact, spine surgery is only recommended to a small percentage of patients after all other methods of treatment have proven futile. These patients frequently suffer from joint issues that cause persistent pain or degenerative back issues. Whether you comprehend the source of your back pain or not, a fear of movement shouldn’t ever prevent you from living.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 . 

By Dr. Alex Jimenez

Additional Topics: Weight Loss Eases Back Pain

Back pain and symptoms of sciatica can affect a majority of the population throughout their lifetime. Research studies have demonstrated that people who are overweight or obese experience more back complications than people with a healthy weight. A proper nutrition along with regular physical fitness can help with weight loss as well as help maintain a healthy weight to eliminate symptoms of back pain and sciatica. Chiropractic care is also another natural form of treatment which treats back pain and sciatica utilizing manual spinal adjustments and manipulations.

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