4 Things Employers Should Know About Back Pain

The lack of visible chronic lower back pain symptoms can lead to a variety of frustrating experiences—especially at your place of work. Every employer is different, but you may be able to minimize your work-place frustrations by sharing these four truths about your back pain with your boss:

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/4-things-your-boss-needs-know-about-your-lower-back-pain?source=3tab

Aerobic Exercise Wellness Bloodflow

Aerobic exercise increases the blood flow in the body, which helps speed up healing, but high-impact exercises may cause additional stress or trauma to the structures of the spine.

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/low-impact-aerobic-exercise

DC: What it means when your back "goes out"

The nerve supply to the spine has a relatively high threshold, writes Dr. Michael Noonan, so the pain from a back problem builds over time but can seem to come out of nowhere. The spasms generally associated with a back attack often come from the muscles protecting an inflamed or misaligned joint, where the real problem lies, Noonan writes...

(from Bangor Daily News (Maine) (free registration))

Reiteration on Sciatica

Sciatica (pronounced sigh-at-ih-kah) is not a medical diagnosis in and of itself – it is a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Learn all about it:

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/what-you-need-know-about-sciatica

Myths about Treatment for Back Pain and Back Problems

Back problems are often complex, so it's no wonder that myths abound. Pain causes, treatment options and effectiveness, and patient needs can all become mired in misinformation. Make sure you are well informed. Learn more...

Can't Relax? Dislike Normal Adjustments? There's Gentler Chiropractic Options

If you cannot relax, dislike the cracking feeling/sound, or have other concerns, a gentle form of chiropractic adjustment may be utilized rather than the more traditional techniques.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/gentle-chiropractic-techniques-neck-pain

Is Your Workplace Causing Your Back Pain?

Is Your Workplace Causing Your Back Pain? Join Spine-health on Facebook Become a fan and get the most up-to-date back and neck pain information. You can share your thoughts and stories on our page, plus connect with our passionate back and neck pain community. Whether or not your work is physically demanding, you may be putting your back at risk for injury and possible pain. Something as simple as choosing the right office chair or knowing the proper techniques for lifting objects can go a long way in keeping your back healthy and pain-free. Featured Article: Ergonomics of the Office and Workplace: An Overview

READ! Article: Chiropractic More Effective than Standard Medical Care Alone

Patient Outcomes Proves More Effective with Chiropractic Combined with Standard Medical Care Than Standard Medical Care Alone in the Military

 

BY: D. Scott Ferguson

DC, William J. Owens DC, DAAMLP

 Mark Studin DC, FASBE(c), DAAMLP, DAAPM

Many people suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives.  Most will seek the advice of a healthcare professional. However, many times this care is fragmented and not based on current evidence and can result in poorer outcomes. When considering outcomes, all doctors must consider creating a diagnosis, prognosis and then conclude a treatment plan. It is that treatment plan, which then determines the outcome after an accurate diagnosis. Many times, low back pain patients seek solely standard medical care and bypass a more effective chiropractic solution. This type of self-referral and physician triage has also been prevalent in the military and asks the question based upon outcome studies, is that in the best interest of both the military and the general public?  

In a recent paper by Goertz et al. (2013), the objective was, “To assess changes in pain levels and physical functioning in response to standard medical care (SMC) versus SMC plus chiropractic manipulative therapy (chiropractic adjustments) for the treatment of low back pain  among 18 to 35-year-old active-duty military personnel” (p. 627).  The authors stated, “Lifetime prevalence of low back pain has been estimated to be as high as 84%, with a median cost per quality-adjusted life year of $13,015” (p. 627).  The fact that lower back pain is a major source of disability and abuse of pain medication makes providing the best care possible a priority based upon outcome studies.  In this paper, it was reported that, “The majority of systematic reviews find that chiropractic manipulative therapy (adjustments) seems to reduce pain and disability at least moderately for many patients with low back pain” (p. 627).  Therefore, the questions are, “Should chiropractic care be part of your treatment plan and should it be included with standard medical treatment for lower back pain?” 

In the Goertz et al. (2013) study, the patients were allowed to seek standard medical care in an unrestricted fashion which meant they could go to their medical doctors as they normally would for lower back pain.  “Standard care included any or all of the following: a focused history and physical examination, diagnostic imaging as indicated, education about self-management including maintaining activity levels as tolerated, pharmacological (drug) management with the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents, and physical therapy and modalities such as heat/ice and referral to a pain clinic” (p. 628).  On the chiropractic side, the authors stated “Treatments consisted of HVLA [high velocity low amplitude a.k.a. chiropractic adjustment] manipulation as the primary approach in all cases, with ancillary treatments at the doctor’s discretion, including brief massage, the use of ice or heat in the lumbar area, stretching exercises, McKenzie exercises, advice on activities of daily living, postural/ergonomic advice; and mobilization” (p. 628).  This is important since chiropractors view the spine as an entire system and the approach to patients is different as well as the therapeutic intervention.

In conclusion, the authors reported, “The results of our pragmatic pilot study indicate a statistically and clinically significant benefit to those receiving chiropractic manipulative therapy (adjustments) in addition to standard medical care” (p. 631).  Finally, they report, “The results of this trial suggest that chiropractic, in conjunction with standard medical care, offers a significant advantage for decreasing pain and improving physical functioning compared with only standard medical care, for active-duty men and women between 18 and 35 years of age with acute low back pain when delivered in a pragmatic treatment setting” (p. 633).

This study concurs with a previous study by Liliedahl et al. (2010) who studied 85,402 patients and adds to the growing body of evidence in diverse forums that chiropractic for mechanical back pain is more effective and cost-effective than standard medical care. Evidence such as this helps to dispel the partial truths and overcome the prejudices to help the public make informed choices.

References:

1. Goertz, C. M., Long, C. R., Hondras, M. A., Petri, R., Delgado, R., Lawrence, D. J.,…Meeker, W. C. (2013). Adding chiropractic manipulative therapy to standard medical care for patients with acute low back pain: Results of a pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness study. Spine, 38(8), 627-634.

2. Liliedahl, R. L., Finch, M. D., Axene, D. V., & Goertz C. M. (2010). Cost of care for common back pain conditions initiated with chiropractic doctor vs. medical doctor/doctor of osteopathy as first physician: Experience of one Tennessee-based general health insurer. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 33(9), 640-643.

Make Your Voice Heard: Help Veterans Receive the Care They Need

Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have introduced the Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act. The bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to phase-in the chiropractic benefit at all major VA medical facilities over several years. You, too, can help ensure the essential services provided by doctors of chiropractic are available to the brave men and women who have served our country by simply clicking the link below to urge your senators to cosponsor this bill!

To contact your senators, click http://cqrcengage.com/aca/app/write-a-letter?10&engagementId=78697

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Chiropractic News - Link Between Obesity and Cancer in Women

Study links obesity to higher lifetime cancer risk in women
A Cancer Research UK study found a 40% greater risk of developing at least one weight-related cancer type among obese women compared with slimmer counterparts. For every 1,000 obese U.K. women, 274 are likely to get one of the cancers, compared with 194 among women of a healthy weight, the study says. HealthDay News (3/17)

Dr. Jardon - Have You Experienced Sciatica?

Dr. Rick Jardon on Sciatica

How to treat your lower back pain

In the US, lower back pain is one of the most common conditions and one of the leading causes of physician visits. In fact, at least 4 out of 5 adults will experience it at some point in their lives. Take an in-depth look at the common causes of lower back pain and the treatment options available.

Featured Article:
Lower Back Pain Treatment

Back muscle spasms, whiplash treatment & hamstring stretching

Back muscle spasms

Back muscle spasms may occur because of an injury or condition affecting the spine. Unless the underlying problem is evaluated, discovered, and treated, the back muscle spasms will tend to recur.
http://www.spine-health.com/video/causes-back-muscle-spasms-video

Whiplash treatment

Because each individual case of whiplash is different, it is not possible to generalize about the chiropractic whiplash treatment.
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-treatments-whiplash

Hamstring stretching for sciatica and lower back pain

Most low back pain and sciatica problems will benefit from a regular routine of hamstring stretching. Read all about it and check out the videos, too.
http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/hamstring-stretching-exercises-sciatica-pain-relief

Exercise and Fitness to Help Your Back

A common (and harmful) misconception is that exercise should be avoided when a patient is experiencing back pain. Understandably, many patients are reluctant to exercise out of the fear that any exercises or stretching will aggravate their existing back pain. This may make them rely too heavily on medical treatments and underemphasize the importance of exercise for healing and long term back pain relief.

For most back problems, exercise and movement are the natural stimuli for the healing process. Controlled, gradual and progressive exercise, rather than inactivity and bed rest, most often provides the best long-term solution for reducing back pain and preventing (or lessening) future episodes of pain.

Most experts recommend no more than one or two days rest at the onset of most episodes of back pain. Prolonged inactivity can actually increase back pain as the back becomes stiff, weak, and deconditioned. As the pain increases, many patients reduce their activity and exercise levels, resulting in even more back pain and aggravating the cycle of inactivity and back pain recurrence.

Exercise plays the dual role of both treating back pain and helping prevent future episodes of pain.

• By nourishing and repairing spinal structures, exercise helps alleviate existing back problems.
• Movement and exercise keep the anatomy of the back healthy, flexible and strong in order to reduce the chances of further injury and back pain.

It is always advisable for patients to first consult with a health professional before beginning any exercise or fitness program. Working with a physician or experienced spine specialist will ensure that patients' activities are safe for their back and for their overall health. With back pain, it's particularly important to get an accurate diagnosis for the cause of the patient's pain from a physician or chiropractor in order to rule out possible types of back pain that may be aggravated by exercise (such as spinal instability).

More Exercise Info:
Sciatica Exercises
Stretching and Back Pain
Back Strengthening Exercises