- - - Your spine is made of CRAB! - - - - - Back pain tips from a Physical Therapist

Low back pain is one of the most common injuries that I see in my clinic. It is estimated that in the USA low back pain costs $100 billion per year (1) (thats 400,000,000,000 banana's @ $0.25 per banana). This is a huge burden to the economy not just in the USA but to the world as a whole. Over 80% of the population will experience low back pain at some point in their life, with many of those having a lifetime recurrence of pain (2). The most common cause of pain in the back is the Inter-vertebral Disc (3), which from anatomical dissections has the consistency of SOFT CRAB MEAT. 

From my experience low back pain is not just a physical ailment, such as a broken ankle is just a broken ankle. Low back pain has a large psychological component and also a huge social component. Let me give you an example of what I mean by this...

I had a patient who presented to my clinic with low back pain one afternoon. They were female of middle age, who had just lost their job because of their low back pain and had been off work for over a month. On initial presentation, this patient was very quiet and introverted. They reported a 10/10 pain (with 10 being the worst pain you could ever possibly experience), every movement hurt to perform and they were very emotional, to the point of being in tears. 

As you can tell from the experience above, it's not just the physical pain this patient was feeling, they were also depressed because they had lost their career over their low back pain. They were anxious because their back pain had started to consume their life and they felt they were backed into a corner with no escape. Their back pain had even started to affect their relationship with their family and friends, because they did not want to leave their house or participate in the community. Does this sound like you, have you ever experienced back pain? How did it make you feel? Chances are, you probably had a very down mood because back pain can be all consuming. 

So how can you improve your back pain....?

1st tip: THINK POSITIVE!

It is very easy to get depressed with back pain. Try to keep active. The more you can be active and participate with family/friends, the happier you will feel and the less disabled you will feel. Also, the more you move your back the better your back will feel. It is designed to move!

2nd tip: POSTURE, POSTURE, POSTURE!

Make sure, even with a sore back, you maintain a good alignment of the spine. If you are slumped forward and flexed, this is only going to further irritate the disc and the nerves in your back.  Maintaining good alignment allows for even force distribution through your musculoskeletal system. 

3rd tip: VISIT YOUR LOCAL PHYSICAL THERAPIST!

Physical Therapists specialize in diagnosis of disorders of the low back and can prescribe an appropriate back care regime, whilst also performing hands on manual therapy to the joints and soft tissues. Most back pain can be resolved quickly and easily if caught and treated early!! Don't let yourself become a lifetime sufferer!!

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog as much as I enjoyed writing it!! If you want to read more and keep up to date with my postings, I will be posting about other conditions and experiences, then make sure you FOLLOW @pt-pro-tips and also upvote/comment to show your appreciation and get in touch with me :)