The best way to prevent back pain
Many patients with back pain wonder how to prevent their pain from worsening or recurring. A recent literature review revealed that exercise may be the most effective way to prevent pain.
The review included an analysis of 20 scientific studies that tested various interventions for preventing back pain including exercise, ergonomic/back education, training in ergonomic lifting methods, stress management, lumbar-support back belts, shoe inserts, and programs for reducing the frequency of lifting in workplaces. The authors of the review then analyzed and compared the outcomes of each intervention.
Exercise was the only intervention tested which consistently produced substantial relief. Of the exercise intervention studies, 7 out of 8 trials showed that exercise produced a statistically significant reduction in back pain. In one study, active patients had 127 fewer sick days than inactive patients. Most exercises focused on strengthening back and abdominal muscles.
Exercise is a great complement of chiropractic care. A chiropractor can advise you in performing safe, effective exercises to prevent and reduce pain.
Reference:
Bigos S, Holland J, Holland C, Webster J, Battie, Malmgren J. High-quality controlled trials on preventing episodes of back problems: systematic literature review in working-age adults. The Spine Journal 2009; 9: 147-168.
There is no doubt exercise is one of the best back pain relievers. Im amazed to hear how so many people have back pain yet they never do exercise. The problem is that people with back pain accidentally associate the pain with exercise which makes them scared to do exercise.
People need to learn that our body were designed for movement, not sitting at a computer chair all day, and on that note im off for a walk