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:
- 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 sport 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)
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 Dr. Conboy to ensure that your computer
workstation is ergonomically correct.
Source6565 N. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 225nbsp; The American Chiropractic Association
References:
- 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.
- Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and
Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms,
Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab
Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98.
- 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, MD, Summer 1994.
- In Vallfors B, previously cited.
- 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.
- 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 and Human Services, December,
1994.
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