Of the 21 million Americans suffering from lower back pain, about 7 million seek treatment each year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. The affliction accounts for about one-quarter of all lost workdays in the United States, costing $15 billion to $20 billion annually in medical expenses and lost earnings.
Back pain usually comes on suddenly. Most sufferers trace it back to a single trigger incident of lifting or other exertion. But the incident that triggered the back pain is rarely the actual cause of the pain. More often, the back has been under continual stress, and the incident is only the last straw.Back pain is a symptom, not a disease. Sometimes it is an indication of a serious underlying disease such as cancer or inflammation, which must be diagnosed and treated by a physician. If accompanied by leg pain or weakness, back pain may indicate a herniated disk, a potential surgical problem.
However, most back pain is a symptom of musculoskeletal strain: muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues that have been stressed beyond their capabilities. Often this problem recurs, becoming a source of pain.
Those who have had back injuries in the past probably still have weak muscles, even if their pain has gone away. Injuries cause muscles to contract painfully and go into spasm. When the spasm subsides, the muscle remains contacted and weak, and more susceptible to re-injury.
Even people who have never had a bout of back pain may still have weak muscles. Although they have no indications of weakness or symptoms of problems, they are prone to future injury.
With about 80 percent of the population experiencing back pain at some time in their lives, the National Safety Council designed a course called Back Power. Each person is different, so each person needs to know where to begin an exercise program. To learn where to start, use the National Back Fitness Test. This test shows areas of the back where you are already healthy and fit and areas where you need improvement.
Next, the course teaches about the back and how it works and about getting muscles in balance with exercises. If muscles are the right length, they support the spine. To be the right length, a short muscle must be stretched and a long muscle must be tightened. This reduces the risk of back injury.
Although the problems associated with back disorders often seem overwhelming, it is important to realize that most of these problems are unnecessary and actually can be prevented by simple preventative measures, such as eating a healthy diet, using proper lifting techniques and, above all, maintaining back muscle fitness.
Dr. David Imrie, the author of the Back Power program says:
- 45 percent of back pain disappears in one week.
- 80 percent of back pain disappears in four weeks.
- And 90 percent of back pain disappears in eight weeks.
This happens regardless of the type of treatment. Some might say that the last treatment undertaken usually gets the credit for the cure.
Where back pain is not produced by a specific disease (i.e., herniated disk, inflammatory arthritis, unstable spine, etc.) with specific treatment to deal with the cause, the problem is usually one of a functional disorder. The vast majority of victims who suffer from back pain can learn self-help and self-management (i.e., Back Power program) of their problems.
To learn more about the National Safety Council's Back Power course, contact Randy Cooper at the Utah Safety Council. An excellent source of information is Imrie's book, "The Back Power Program," which can be ordered through bookstores.