Nearly 80% of Americans will experience low back pain and many of those people think that the best treatment is to rest. But is rest really the best course of action?
There are many reasons that your low back may hurt. Some include the more obvious culprit, such as trauma, a motor vehicle accident or fall from a ladder perhaps, to repetitive stresses, like lifting and carrying boxes all day at work. Even sitting at a computer all day and a sudden jolt from as little as a sneeze can precipitate pain. No matter what actions lead to the pain, the common theme is either a stress being placed on a weakened structure or an excessive load placed on a normal structure. These cause muscle strains, derangement of joints and ligaments, and pressure on nerves that lead to pain and affect your ability to perform normal daily activities.
SO WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT IT?
No matter what leads to your low back pain, rest alone is NOT the answer. In a 2017 review the American College of Physicians set forth recommendations for acute and chronic low back pain to include motor control exercise, spinal manipulation, yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, and massage prior to pharmacological intervention and with no mention of reduced movement or bracing. Movement to the joints and tissues brings nourishment, promotes strength, and enhances positive outcomes. At ZENITH, we provide an integrated approach to your back pain, to include, but not limited to, chiropractic spinal manipulation and rehabilitation exercises in order to keep you moving and out of pain.
In my next post I’ll be discussing why it is important to choose the right exercises for your low back pain and which may be best for YOU! Stay tuned…