Back Pain

Give your back a Break!

The reasons for back pain
¤        Injury, Aging, Genetics, Over use, Excess Weight, Incorrect Posture

Types of pain
¤        Acute - pain that is directly related to tissue damage and lasting less than 3 to 6 months
¤        Chronic – pain due to an identifiable source such as an injury and also then setting its own pathway and   becoming a problem in its own right
¤        Neuropathic – nerves continue sending pain messages to the brain long after event

Types of back conditions
¤        Sciatica
¤        Osteoarthritis (Degenerative disc disease)
¤        Spinal stenosis
¤        Spondylolisthesis (Slipped vertebral body)
¤        Herniated disc, pinched nerve, bulging disc, slipped disc, ruptured disc, etc

Treatment
¤        Exercise
¤        Medication
¤        Surgery
¤        Acupuncture
¤        Thermotherapy
¤        Manual Therapy - manipulation, mobilisation and massage performed by chiropractors, osteopaths or physiotherapists
           usually up to nine sessions in about 12 weeks.

Things you can do to reduce pain and protect yourself
¤        Exercise better by dropping the abdominal crunches and trying yoga
¤        Improve your diet as healthy circulation takes nutrients to the spine, removing waste and inflammation
¤        Avoid wearing high heels for extended periods of time
¤        Avoid sitting for too long at your desk as sitting increase pressure on your spine
¤        Assume a neutral position when driving, don’t lean on the door and get the natural spinal curvature of you r back to hug the seat
¤        Keep your spine in a straight and neutral horizontal position when sleeping and check your mattress supports you correctly
¤        Face your television straight on and don’t lie on the sofa (Feng shui maybe?)
¤        Don’t slouch or hunch at your desk. Sit at a 110 Degree angle
¤        Don’t ignore the pain, it will only build up and bring you down