Recently read a little blurb online claiming that low back pain is one of the leading causes of missed work days WORLDWIDE. It causes more disability than any other cause that was studied. Out of nearly 300 causes!
One easy to read article is here http://consumer.healthday.com/bone-and-joint-information-4/backache-news-53/low-back-pain-leading-cause-of-disability-worldwide-study-686113.html
A much more in depth pdf from WHO is here http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/priority_medicines/Ch6_24LBP.pdf
Yeah, that was a big wow from me, what a huge study. The website http://www.educell.si/ has more information if you'd like to look at that. Their site states 'There is no clear diagnosis in 85% of spinal problems and there is no clinical consensus between different countries or doctors on treatment.' {This is under the news section. Also, the page apparently comes up in Slovene language, sorry if confusion for folks who tried this link. There's a small button in Right hand corner to switch their page to English}
How frustrating. 85% unclear diagnosis seems quite high, huh? If this number is true, I wonder if it could be that around 85% of treatment plans are just an educated guess for what to do? That's likely faulty logic I'm using, but it's hard not to wonder.
Most back pain is treated with analgesics only. In other words, drugs. It's useful, for certain, to take pain relievers for, you know, relieving pain. But it doesn't always get to the problem, the' what may have caused this pain'.
Some people's back pain will resolve itself through rest. Some from getting better ergonomic equipment for their work or home. Some will resolve through strengthening the muscular system that supports posture, whether or not they lose a few pounds. The list is as varied as the people and their life histories for what may resolve a back pain issue.
Bet you know what good solution I have? Getting a massage now and then! Massage helps release endorphins into the body system and those help alleviate feelings of pain. Alleviating pain helps people get rest, good nights sleep. Sleep being one of the more important components to breaking the pain cycle. Massage can loosen up overly tight muscle that pinches on nerves. Getting deep tissue, when appropriate, can help realign muscular structures and that helps realign a skeleton.
In the U.S. it's estimated that $100-$200 BILLION is lost a year due to lost productivity and lost real wages from people not being able to work due to back pains. Also, the cost of feeling crummy. Missing out on hobbies or workout routines. Missing out on a real vacation, as vacation days get used up to make up the $ missed from paycheck. Missing out on opportunities at home, with friends and family to do fun things, or even necessary things.
Looking at it that way, massage therapy is a pretty good deal as it increases the bodies ability to cope with pain and can keep muscle healthy. Massage therapy can actually improve someone's odds of avoiding a back injury. It also just feels good to get a backrub. A bit more pleasing than just reaching for the aspirin over and over.
One easy to read article is here http://consumer.healthday.com/bone-and-joint-information-4/backache-news-53/low-back-pain-leading-cause-of-disability-worldwide-study-686113.html
A much more in depth pdf from WHO is here http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/priority_medicines/Ch6_24LBP.pdf
Yeah, that was a big wow from me, what a huge study. The website http://www.educell.si/ has more information if you'd like to look at that. Their site states 'There is no clear diagnosis in 85% of spinal problems and there is no clinical consensus between different countries or doctors on treatment.' {This is under the news section. Also, the page apparently comes up in Slovene language, sorry if confusion for folks who tried this link. There's a small button in Right hand corner to switch their page to English}
How frustrating. 85% unclear diagnosis seems quite high, huh? If this number is true, I wonder if it could be that around 85% of treatment plans are just an educated guess for what to do? That's likely faulty logic I'm using, but it's hard not to wonder.
Most back pain is treated with analgesics only. In other words, drugs. It's useful, for certain, to take pain relievers for, you know, relieving pain. But it doesn't always get to the problem, the' what may have caused this pain'.
Some people's back pain will resolve itself through rest. Some from getting better ergonomic equipment for their work or home. Some will resolve through strengthening the muscular system that supports posture, whether or not they lose a few pounds. The list is as varied as the people and their life histories for what may resolve a back pain issue.
Bet you know what good solution I have? Getting a massage now and then! Massage helps release endorphins into the body system and those help alleviate feelings of pain. Alleviating pain helps people get rest, good nights sleep. Sleep being one of the more important components to breaking the pain cycle. Massage can loosen up overly tight muscle that pinches on nerves. Getting deep tissue, when appropriate, can help realign muscular structures and that helps realign a skeleton.
In the U.S. it's estimated that $100-$200 BILLION is lost a year due to lost productivity and lost real wages from people not being able to work due to back pains. Also, the cost of feeling crummy. Missing out on hobbies or workout routines. Missing out on a real vacation, as vacation days get used up to make up the $ missed from paycheck. Missing out on opportunities at home, with friends and family to do fun things, or even necessary things.
Looking at it that way, massage therapy is a pretty good deal as it increases the bodies ability to cope with pain and can keep muscle healthy. Massage therapy can actually improve someone's odds of avoiding a back injury. It also just feels good to get a backrub. A bit more pleasing than just reaching for the aspirin over and over.