Healthy Tips

Back Pain Facts & Statistics

Although chiropractors care for more than just back pain, many patients visit chiropractors looking for relief from this pervasive condition.  In fact, 31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time.1 
                                                     A few interesting facts about back pain:
 • Low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the Global Burden of Disease 2010.
• One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year.2
• Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work.  In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.
• Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic—meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.
• Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain—and that’s just for the more easily identified costs.3
• Experts estimate that as many as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in our lives.4 
                                                                  What Causes Back Pain? 
The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain. While sports injuries or accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest of movements—for example, picking up a pencil from the floor— can have painful results. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychological stress can cause or complicate back pain. Back pain can also directly result from disease of the internal organs, such as kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss.
 
                                                       Manipulation as a Treatment for Back Problems 
Used primarily by Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) for the last century, manipulation has been largely ignored by most others in the health care community until recently. Now, with today's growing emphasis on treatment and cost effectiveness, manipulation is receiving more widespread attention.
 
Chiropractic spinal manipulation is a safe and effective spine pain treatment. It reduces pain, decreases medication, rapidly advances physical therapy, and requires very few passive forms of treatment, such as bed rest.5
 
In fact, after an extensive study of all currently available care for low back problems, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research—a federal government research organization—recommended that low back pain sufferers choose the most conservative care first. And it recommended spinal manipulation as the only safe and effective, drugless form of initial professional treatment for acute low back problems in adults.6
 
A patient information article published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association also suggested chiropractic care as an option for people suffering from low back pain--and noted that surgery is usually not needed and should only be tried if other therapies fail.
 
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) urges you to make an informed choice about your back care. To learn more about how the services of doctors of chiropractic may help you, review the results of recent research studies and contact a Doctor of Chiropractic in your area. 
 
                                                                 Tips to Prevent Back Pain
 • Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
• Remain active—under the supervision of your doctor of chiropractic.
• Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.
• Warm up or stretch before exercising or other physical activities, such as gardening.
• Maintain proper posture.
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
• Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
• Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.
•Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
• Work with your doctor of chiropractic to ensure that your computer workstation is ergonomically correct.
 
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Source ACA  References:

 1. Jensen M, Brant-Zawadzki M, Obuchowski N, et al. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Lumbar Spine in People Without Back Pain. N Engl J Med 1994; 331: 69-116.

 2. Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms, Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98.

 3. This total represents only the more readily identifiable costs for medical care, workers compensation payments and time lost from work. It does not include costs associated with lost personal income due to acquired physical limitation resulting from a back problem and lost employer productivity due to employee medical absence. In Project Briefs: Back Pain Patient Outcomes Assessment Team (BOAT). In MEDTEP Update, Vol. 1 Issue 1, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Rockville,

4. In Vallfors B, previously cited.
 
5. Time to recognize value of chiropractic care? Science and patient satisfaction surveys cite usefulness of spinal manipulation. Orthopedics Today 2003 Feb; 23(2):14-15.

 6. Bigos S, Bowyer O, Braen G, et al. Acute Low Back Problems in Adults. Clinical Practice Guideline No.14. AHCPR Publication No. 95-0642. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health


CHANGES FOR A BETTER YOU.

EAT HEALTHY: SUPER POWER FOODS

Not all foods are created equal.  Some foods claim 'bragging' rights as 'power foods'.  They can ward off serious medical diseases and protect your immune system.  Foods that are less processed (think back-to-basics) are the best.  According to Prevention Magazine, the following are some super-power-packed foods.

  • EGGS
  • GREEK YOGURT
  • FAT FREE MILK
  • SALMON
  • BEANS
  • NUTS
  • EDAMAME & TOFU
  • OATMEAL
  • FLAX SEEDS
  • OLIVE OIL
  • AVOCADO
  • BROCCOLI
  • SPINACH
  • TOMATOES
  • SWEET POTATOES
  • GARLIC
  • RED PEPPERS
  • FIGS
  • BLUEBERRIES
  • ASIAN PEARS
  • LYCHEE*
  • APPLES
  • GUAVA
  • DARK CHOCOLATE

*Pictured below is the Lychee Fruit.  This super-fruit is shaped like a rounded heart with a red, rough skin.  When you peel back the outside, the flesh is white to light pink, moist and translucent like the inside of a grape. Lychee's taste is sweet and fresh with a slightly acid flavor.

Lychee Tabbouleh

  • 1 pkg (5.25 oz.) tabbouleh mix
    ½ cup chopped fresh or canned lychees
    1 Tbsp lemon juice
    1 Tbsp snipped (or 1 tsp dried) fresh mint
    raddichio or lettuce leaves
    grated lemon peel (garnish)
    red onion, sliced (garnish)

    Prepare the tabbouleh mix according to the package directions, omitting the tomatoes and lemon juice.

    In a medium bowl, combine the tabbouleh, lychees, lemon juice and mint. Refrigerate the mixture for 4 hours. Serve on the raddichio or lettuce leaves and garnish with lemon peel and onions.

    Servings: 4

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