Karthik's Blogs

The Truth About Back Pain



It might be a sharp stab. It might be a dull ache. Sooner or later,

eight out of 10 of us will have back pain. Back pain is common -- and

so are back pain myths. See if you can tell the myths from the facts



Myth: Always sit up straight to prevent back pain.



Okay, slouching is bad for your back. But sitting up too straight too

still for too long can be a strain on the back. If you sit a lot, try

this a few times a day: Lean back in your chair with your feet on the

floor and a slight curve in your back. Even better: Try standing for

part of the day, while on the phone or while reading work materials.



Myth: Lifting heavy objects hurts your back.



It's not necessarily how much you lift, it's how you lift. Of course

you shouldn't lift anything that might be too heavy for you. When you

lift, squat close to the object with your back straight and head up.

Stand, using your legs to lift the load. Do not twist or bend your

body while lifting. It can really hurt your back to twist while

bending and lifting with your feet on the floor -- as you might do

when reaching down from a chair to lift a dropped pencil.



Myth: Stay in bed until back pain goes away.



Yes, resting can help an acute injury or strain that causes back pain.

But it's a myth that you should stay in bed. A day or two in bed can

make your back pain worse.



Myth: Back pain is always caused by an injury.



Disc degeneration, injuries, diseases, infections, and even inherited

conditions can cause back pain.



Fact: Overweight people suffer more back pain.



Staying fit helps prevent back pain. Back pain is most common among

people who are out of shape, especially weekend warriors who engage in

vigorous activity after sitting around all week. And as you might

guess, obesity stresses the back.



Myth: Skinny people don't get back pain.



Anyone can get back pain. In fact, people who are too thin, such as

those suffering from anorexia, an eating disorder, may suffer bone

loss resulting in fractured or crushed vertebrae.



Myth: Exercise is bad for your back pain.



A big myth. Regular exercise prevents back pain. And for people

suffering an acute injury resulting in lower back pain, doctors may

recommend an exercise program that begins with gentle exercises and

gradually increases in intensity. Once the acute pain subsides, an

exercise regimen may help prevent future recurrence of back pain.



Fact: Chiropractic adjustments can help back pain.



The American College of Physicians and American Pain Society

guidelines for treatment of lower back pain recommend that patients

and doctors consider spinal manipulation -- either by a chiropractor

or a massage therapist -- for patients with back pain.



Fact: Acupuncture can help back pain.



According to guidelines from the American College of Physicians and

the American Pain Society, patients and their doctors should consider

acupuncture among treatments for back pain patients who do not get

relief from standard self care. Yoga, progressive relaxation, and

cognitive-behavioral therapy are also suggested for consideration.



Myth: A super-firm mattress is best for your back.



A Spanish study of people with longstanding, non-specific back pain

showed that those who slept on a medium-firm mattress -- rated 5.6 on

a 10-point hard-to-soft scale -- had less back pain and disability

than those who slept on a firm mattress (2.3 on the scale) mattress.

However, depending on their sleep habits and the cause of their back

pain, different people may need different mattresses.









"There will be close from a distance

         Will close from far away. "