Health Pages- Tips for lower back pain.
A number of individuals have experienced low
back pain (LBP) at one point or the other in their lives, and experts
advise that staying active is a sure-fire way to help ease the
condition.
According
to Dr A. J. Cianflocco, director of Primary Care Sports Medicine at
Cleveland Clinic in the US, between 80-90 per cent of Westerners and
those who have adopted the “western lifestyle” have experienced LBP “at
least once in a lifetime”.
Speaking on the second day of the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress in the
Capital on Monday, Dr Cianflocco cited some of the appropriate treatment
and interventions for those suffering from LBP.
“
Lower back pain is a common problem in primary care. Fortunately,
this condition is (often) self-limiting and would resolve with little
intervention. However, a third of the cases of LBP may not fully recover
within six months, and there’s about 25-60 per cent recurrence rate
within one to two years,” stated the sports medicine specialist.
Bad posture, lack of exercise and not being flexible are some of the factors that cause LBP, he told Khaleej Times.
According to him, LBP is prevalent in young professionals and
labourers, or those between the ages of 20 and 50-60 due to degenerative
spine in older people. LBP is also common among athletes due to stress
fracture particularly for those into gymnastics, ballet, weight lifting
and wrestling or those who “arch their backs”. The obese and those with
big bellies are also affected due to their weight putting pressure on
their lower back.
As intervention, Dr Cianflocco suggested patient education and
advising them to “stay active, avoid bed rest and pursue early
appropriate physical therapy activity as soon as possible — so-called
self-care options”.
Smoking cessation, exercise and weight management should also be
advised and that medications should be chosen based on patient age and
risk profile.
For those with persistent back pain or an acute phase of between four
to six weeks, formal physical therapy was advised. Older patients of
between 50 and 60 years may go for laboratory testing and further
imaging as appropriate.
While those with chronic low back pain (more than 12 weeks),
aggressive exercise plus medications may be needed, advised Dr
Cianflocco.
According to him, stretching, yoga and pilates, and aerobics are some
of the exercises that are beneficial for patients with chronic LBP.
Stretching exercises have been known to benefit a number of patients;
80 per cent of the patients have reported improvement at the end of
six-week training, according to the specialist.
“Yoga and pilates, these are the mind and body exercise regimen; they
are quite helpful in patients that have psychological and physical
components in their chronic LBP. These both address the physical and
mental aspects by incorporating core strengthening, flexibility and
relaxation.”
Walking, running, cycling and swimming are also great examples, as well as, impact exercises such as aqua therapy.
On the non-traditional options, Dr Cianflocco, who also advises on
the US’ National Football League (NFL), suggested acupuncture,
manipulation, chiropractic and osteopathic methods.
Citing the guidelines from the American College of Physicians, he
said “acupuncture... should be considered as non-pharmacologic treatment
with proven benefits for patients with chronic LBP (to) supplement
other therapies”. It requires six to eight treatments.
Different types of massage in massotherapy include rolfing, Sweddish
massage, acupuncture massage, myofacial release and craniosacral therapy
are also effective in chronic LBP. This should be considered in
conjunction with exercise to maximise the benefit.
“An experienced massotherapist also improves the outcomes,” he said.
source khallejtimes
