How common is Low Back Pain?
Back pain is one of the top reasons for missed work and physician visits, according to many clinical studies, such as those in the American Journal of Public Health, the Annals of Internal Medicine, and at the University of Washington.
In an article for SpineUniverse called “What Really Gets Rid of Back Pain?”, Kamiah Walker describes a study of back pain and treatments that patients reported as effective or ineffective forms of relief.
In the study, back pain patients completed a survey, rating their dissatisfaction with various treatments. These included pharmaceutical and natural approaches, such as prescription medications, injections, herbal remedies, and chiropractic.
Patients reported feeling highly dissatisfied with over-the-counter-prescriptions as a method for relieving back pain.
Of the various treatments studied, patients reported being highly satisfied with massage and exercise as therapies for back pain.
Cardio Exercise.
It is important to include aerobic exercise in your daily lifestyle, for your back’s sake. Your spine and your vertebral discs (jelly-like shock absorbers between your vertebrae) need movement to stay healthy. You need to use cardio, or aerobic, exercise to send oxygen, blood flow and nutrients to your discs, spine and muscles.
Aerobic exercises such as walking, hiking, swimming and jogging are essential for good health. These forms of activity use large muscles such as legs. They enhance circulation, energy and mood, sleep quality, and the immune system. They keep the heart elastic and loose, and they burn many calories.
Stretching Exercise.
Stretches should be done slowly and gently. People who sit too much, at a desk or in a car, need to move in different directions to loosen the lower back. Rotational stretches and side-to-side movement are excellent for folks with an inactive job.
Stretches targeted for the low back muscles are good. Also, hip and thigh stretches loosen lower back muscles.
Strength-training Exercises.
If you are regularly experiencing low back pain, then getting stronger should be done with the supervision of a physical therapist.
Like stretching, strength-training should focus on the back, hip and leg muscles to prevent pain and relieve stress. Stabilization and preventing pain should be the focus for getting stronger.
Massage therapy.
Massage is a natural therapy, and one of the oldest forms of relief from back tension.
You can seek the hands of a massage therapist who practices relaxing Swedish massage, therapeutic Deep Tissue, stretchy Thai massage, or soothing Hot Stone massage.
According to Walker, “And when all is said and done, it is encouraging to know that massage garners such high patient satisfaction. Perhaps now we all have an excuse for extra visits to the spa.”
To watch a video of simple stretches to relieve back tension, visit the Higher Lifestyle video blog at www.higher-lifestyle.com.
