Back Pain and Golf

December 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you are a lover of golf, then you are probably already aware of the relationship between back pain and golf.  But the fact is that you don’t have to let back pain get in the way of you playing an occasional game of golf.  The following article and video will give you some good suggestions on how to play golf and avoid back pain.

If you suffer with low back pain that has been keeping you off the golf course, you are not alone. According to study by the University of Pittsburgh Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, more than 30 percent of golfers experience low back pain that affects their game or even keeps them from playing.

Unfortunately the sport of golf is not kind to the back in many ways. From your swing to your equipment bag, your back is at risk. However, there are a few things you can do to help limit your risk of injury and help keep you out on the golf course.

Your Swing

The repetitive nature of a golf swing is what causes many back injuries. The rotation of a swing places your back in an unnatural position and places stress on your back. This stress causes the muscles to become tight and this can cause damage to muscles and bones in the area.

As many golfers are weekend players, fitness levels may not be the same as players you see on the Tour. Because of this, the risk for injury to back muscles increases. In order to help reduce that risk, you must look at regular fitness programs that target the muscles you use during your swing. Strengthening your core muscles is essential. Don’t forget to stretch and warm-up before your round of golf begins.

Poor swing mechanics can also contribute to back pain. If you find yourself suffering from pain after every round of golf, consider setting up an appointment with a golf instructor to have your swing evaluated. A professional can determine what you may be doing wrong and how it might be contributing to your pain.

Choose Wheels

If your back is a problem on the course, consider dropping your bag. Rent a golf cart of get yourself a bag with wheels. The average weight of a golf bag is between 20-50 pounds. When this weight is placed on one side of your body, it can cause pressure on your lower back. Considering the average time for 18 holes can be a few hours, reducing the amount of weight and stress you place on your back is essential, especially given the fact your swing is already causing muscle stress.

Use Your Knees

While many people may not think about this, one area that can cause problems in your back occurs after you have got the hole in the cup. Simply bending over to grab your ball out of the cup is enough to cause stress on your back. Instead of just bending over at the waist to reach for that ball, bend your knees and lower your entire body down.

With just these few tips, you can help reduce the risk of back injury and keep yourself out on the course enjoying the game you love.

So, if you love to play golf, then don’t let existing back pain or the possibility of back pain keep you away from the golf course.  Back pain and golf don’t both have to be a part of your life if you take the proper precautions.  Watch the video below for some useful tips.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

Back Pain and Golf

Share
Filed Under: Back Strengthening Exercises, Chronic Back Pain Management, Chronic Lumbar Strain, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Lower Back Spasms, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain

Back Pain During The Holiday Season

December 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The holiday season brings us a lot of things, i.e. good food, gifts and fellowship with friends and family.  But, unfortunately, sometimes we also get back pain during the holiday season.  Hanging lights and other decorations for the season, traveling and other activities add to the stress of our lives, which in turn can add to our back pain.  The article below, from two doctors, gives us some suggestions on how to avoid an increase in back pain during the holiday.

Drs. Peter Moley and Alice Chen, both physiatrists in Greenwich, see a large increase in patients suffering from back pain between now and the end of the year. “For some, it starts when people try to lift a heavy package and hurt their backs,” says Dr. Chen, who lives in Weston and will be joining the Affiliated Physicians Office of Hospital for Special Surgery in Greenwich in early January.

Once someone has back pain — and the most common area is the lower back — there’s an 80 percent chance they will have back pain again, according to Dr. Moley, who lives in Darien and sees patients at the Affiliated Physicians Office in Greenwich and at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

Physiatrists are specialists in the nonsurgical treatment of muscle and joint conditions, as well as spinal and sports-related injuries. Drs. Chen and Moley say back pain is the most common reason for patient visits. Indeed, it’s the leading cause of disability in Americans under age 45. More than 26 million Americans between the ages of 20-64 experience frequent back pain.

It often gets worse this time of year, and the doctors point to a number of reasons.

Back Pain During The Holiday Season

Back Pain During The Holiday Season

Stress is a major culprit. It tends to make back pain worse, according to Dr. Chen. “People think it’s a happy time of year, but it’s also very stressful,” she says.

“People are running around shopping, they’re trying to meet deadlines. People are stuck in traffic and they’re in their car longer, which may lead to back and neck pain. They’re walking in the mall for hours with heavy packages. It can be an emotional and sad time for people who have lost family members. All of these factors can lead to back pain or make a minor problem worse.”

Even everyday chores at home can cause problems because there’s so much more to do this time of year. “I’ve seen people develop back pain after standing for many hours when cooking for the holidays. I’ve treated patients with neck and hand injuries from frantically knitting or crocheting for hours on end to finish a project for the holidays,” Dr. Chen says.

Research shows that emotional stress or mental pain can turn into physical pain. Depression and stress deplete certain brain chemicals that play a role in controlling pain, according to Dr. Chen. When these chemicals are diminished, pain gets worse.

With so much to do, people also get run down this time of year. “You don’t sleep well, you many not have time to eat right, you don’t have time to exercise. It’s no wonder we see more patients this time of year,” Dr. Moley says.

Drs. Chen and Moley have the following tips to maintain spine health and enjoy the holidays pain-free:

Put things in perspective.

Make sure you’re getting enough rest.

If a package is heavy, ask for help. If you do lift, remember to bend from the KNEES.

Slow down and take breaks. Don’t overdo it.

Stay focused on the task at hand and be mindful to avoid an accident.

Don’t forget to do your exercises and stretching during the holiday season.

Don’t say “I don’t have time to attend to my pain.” Don’t ignore initial symptoms.

If you do develop back pain, the doctors advise resting for two days and taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. If the pain is not better in two days, or if you have sharp, excruciating pain that radiates down your leg, see a doctor.

Dr. Moley says when you see a physician, the doctor should spend ample time with you, taking a good medical history, performing a physical exam and ordering appropriate diagnostic tests, such as x-rays. “The doctor must spend time with the patient to get to the root of the problem and prescribe the best individualized treatment plan,” he says. “Our goal is to restore function and mobility, and once the patient is pain-free, we encourage him or her to develop good habits to maintain spine health for life.”

Not only are these suggestions good for lessening back pain during the holiday season, they are also good suggestions for the entire year.  Any habits that you can acquire that will improve your back health are to be taken seriously.  So, while having a good time during the holiday season, please also take precautions with your back health.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

Share
Filed Under: Better Back News, Chronic Lumbar Strain, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Lower Back Spasms, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Back Pain During The Holidays

December 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

To continue our post from yesterday, December is not only a dangerous time for slips and falls in icy conditions, it’s also the time when people are decorating their homes in anticipation of Hanukkah and Christmas holidays.  Climbing and reaching motions are necessary to hang the decorations.  Sometimes we might not be as careful as we should, and the result is a back injury or back strain of some kind, which results in back pain during the holidays.

This article, which comes from a Florida television station,discusses the pitfalls involved in decorating one’s home for the holidays, and offers some tips to help avoid back pain during the holidays.

There weren’t any elves helping Chris Ressler put up his holiday decorations. He tackled the job himself.

“It’s a full day, it’s a full day yeah, it’s a full eight hour, ten hour day.”

Chris relied heavily on a small ladder when he circled his new home with twinkling lights.

“It’s mostly the icicle lights, it was real simple. Just plastic clips, they slip right over the gutter and right under the shingles.”

It’s an activity being played out all across the country, but in some cases the results are anything but jolly.

Christmas Decorating

Back Pain During The Holidays

“It’s a very, very common time of year for people to injure themselves either from pulling a muscle or falling off a ladder or lifting a piece of luggage that’s too heavy,” says Dr. Jon Kimball, an orthopedic spine surgeon on Lee Memorial Health System’s medical staff.

Who knew the holidays could be hazardous to your health. Putting up all these decorations sends tens of thousands of people to the hospital each year.

“Over 50,000 people last year visited the emergency departments as a result of decorating for the holiday,” says Dr. Kimball.

There are a few trouble spots to look out for, with ladders topping the list.

“When people fall off ladders, they’ll break wrists, shoulders, hips ankles but also very commonly if people fall onto their back side they’ll have a compression fracture of their spine,” says Dr. Kimball.

It’s important to use a ladder that’s tall enough and keep it on a level surface, and no climbing on something else to get an extra few inches.

“People will step on anything to get those holiday decorations up, but unfortunately they’re not very steady and will often have a spill,” says Dr. Kimball.

Another holiday crasher: heavy lifting. Whether its getting down boxes or hoisting up decorations, a good rule of thumb is to break the job into smaller loads with more trips, and use correct posture.

“Try and bend with the knees and lift with the leg muscles rather than lifting with the back or even the arms,” says Dr. Kimball.

Chris admits taking a few liberties, but his starry vision is still in progress.

“Maybe a few more lights in the trees.”

If there’s any doubt about safety just remember to watch your back.

Even though you and your family are anxious to get those holiday decorations up, take a few extra moments to hang those decorations in a safe manner without any unnecessary stretching or reaching.  Think before you act and the chances will be much better than you can avoid back pain during the holidays.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

As a bonus, here’s an interview conducted by a New Orleans television station with an orthopedist who gives some good suggestions on how to avoid back pain during the holidays.

Avoid Back Pain During the Holidays

Share
Filed Under: Better Back News, Chronic Lumbar Strain, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Lower Back Spasms

Back Problems – Prevention

December 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Winter is here, maybe a little early, but it is here.  Winter means sports such as skiing, ice skating, hockey, sledding, etc.  It also means icy roads, sidewalks and parking lots.  And then there’s the snow that must be shoveled.  Any of these activities can lead to back problems, so naturally that leads us to the topic of back problems – prevention. This great article, by Drs. Brenda and Eric Slovin, offers some very worthwhile suggestions that you should review with your family as well as your co-workers.  Just a few minutes of your time could help prevent some back problems and misery for someone you care about.

As we dig into our closets looking for our skis, skates and snow shovels most don’t think of how often these fun-filled activities can lead to debilitating lower back pain.

A few of the most notable causes for injuries during the winter include: Slips and falls (especially when icy), show shoveling and sports injuries.

  • Slips and Falls — when the temperature starts to drop below freezing, many are likely to hurt themselves either from a slightly bruised ego or from a good bump to the pelvis. Fractures and sprains to the wrist, and shoulder are also quite common this time of year. If you are one of the unlucky ones to find yourself flat on your back, check in with your chiropractor. The jarring effects of a fall can easily move your sacroiliac joints out of their normal position causing you lower back pain, sciatica and even numbness or tingling in your toes.
  • Snow Shoveling — winter snow looks so fluffy … how deceiving! As we
    Back Problems - Prevention

    Back Problems - Prevention

    clear our walkways and driveways of the frozen stuff, we quickly learn it’s not as easy as first imagined. Snow packs together quickly, making it dense and heavy, and as the temperatures drop below freezing, well, as most of us know, ice is almost impossible to clear without help from heavy automated equipment. Generally, shoveling is great exercise; it puts a strong demand on the heart and works all the muscles of your lower and middle back. It’s for those very same reasons, when done improperly or without care, that it can also lead to injuries such as strains and sprains of the lower back, wrists, elbows, knees and shoulders, and puts some of us at greater risk for a heart attack.

If you’re looking to prevent “shovelitis”, follow these helpful steps:

  • Warm up by stretching those tight muscles and by jogging in place for a few minutes before heading out into the cold. Warm muscles don’t get injured as quickly as cold ones can.
  • Don’t overload the shovel with snow. One shovelful can weigh up to 25 pounds.
  • Always lift with your legs, always bend with your knees, never your back.
  • Never bend and twist. This is the worst possible combination for your lower back. If you want a back problem, this is the way to get one. Push the snow in front of you, never throwing it over your shoulder.
  • Spray your shovel with WD40. The snow will slide easily off the shovel, making shoveling much easier.
  • Take a break. This is will help you from becoming overtired, when you are most likely to injure yourself.
  • Winter Sports — sports such as skiing, snowboarding, hockey and sledding are not only a blast, they are one of the most popular reasons for winter injuries. Crashes are common on the mountains. Trees, bushes and other people don’t make for soft landings. Whiplash, concussions and injuries such as sprains and strains of just about every joint you can think of, always manage to surround these high speed sports. Always wear a helmet and use common sense.

The journal Spine recently published an article stating that chiropractic treatment of the lower back is one of the most effective options for pain relief. So if anyone is a painful victim of “shovelitis”, or manages to make their way into the trees while headed down the mountain, their next step should be an appointment with their chiropractor, who is a specialist at this stuff.

Whether or not you are a fan of winter, you must be prepared for the consequences of winter weather.  Don’t add a lot of unnecessary expense and agony to your life by injuring yourself in the winter snow or ice.  Focus on the prevention of back problems!

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

Share
Filed Under: Back Pain Medications, Better Back News, Chiropractor Medicine, Chronic Lumbar Strain, Low Back Pain Physical Therapy, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Spasms, Treatment Options

Back Problems While Lifting

December 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Many people’s back problems while lifting are the result of improper lifting techniques. If people would just take the time to take some basic training on proper lifting techniques, they could save themselves a lot of pain and money.  The following article gives some guidance on proper techniques for lifting that will help avoid back problems.

Sixty percent of the visits to Intermountain WorkMed Physical Therapy are related to lower back pain.

Since the clinic is located in a primarily industrial area, many of those visits are due to problems associated with incorrect lifting, said Brad Dalton, a physical therapist there. In fact, correct lifting techniques are taught to nearly every patient who sets foot inside the facility, as it is a good way to prevent additional or further injury.

Even just slight forward leaning movements can increase the force of a person’s body weight on their spine up to 200 percent. Add a 20-pound parcel or package in the arms of someone lifting incorrectly, and the back could be bearing 10 times the weight of that package.

“You don’t ever want to over do it,” Dalton said.

Correct lifting includes a squared stance, squatting and lifting with the strength of the legs and not bending the back, and keeping objects close to the body throughout the duration of the movement, he said.

“Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen in the real world workplace,” which Dalton said is another reason why regular exercise and core-strengthening movements are extra important. With the correct treatment and therapy, he said nearly every lower back injury can be overcome.

Dalton, along with Dr. Scott Swasey, a specialist at the Intermountain Medical Center’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, will be featured in Saturday’s Deseret News/Intermountain Healthcare Hotline, where they will take questions about back pain and available treatment options. From 10 a.m. until noon, people can call 1-800-925-8177 or post questions on the Deseret News’ Facebook page, www.facebook.com/desnews.

Treatment for lower back pain can include spinal manipulation or mobilization, instruction for specific exercises and/or movements that will strengthen the area, or even unloading or providing traction to the spine, separating the links of the spine. But all procedures can be done with help from a therapist and plans are tailored to meet the needs of each patient.

“I would never encourage someone to baby it or give into bed rest,” Dalton said. “That is always worse than anything else, as getting the muscles and joints moving doesn’t harm it, but helps it.”

Sixty percent of lower back injuries, he said, will be better within two to three weeks, and 90 percent of them are rectified within six weeks. Only about 10 percent of lower back injuries will lead to chronic pain.

“Back pain is one of the most frustrating and most debilitating injuries that people can experience because it affects all movements and all of your daily activities,” Dalton said, adding that physical therapy often includes a lot of encouragement and emotional support, telling the patient that “they will get through this.”

Yoga and Pilates are helpful to stretch and strengthen core muscles that support the spine below the rib cage, and Dalton said a lot of the same principles used in the popular exercise routines are used in physical therapy.

Physical therapy is offered throughout the state in multiple settings, at clinics, at home and in hospitals, and is used to restore function in a variety of cases, including dealing with the nervous system and skin in wound care, as well as orthopedics and acute care. People of all ages can be assisted and it is common practice for sports teams and/or schools to retain a physical therapist.

While some insurance plans still require a doctor’s referral to physical therapy, technically Utah state law precludes it. As a direct access state, referrals for muscle and joint pain care from a therapist are not necessary, unless it is a worker’s compensation claim.

The Deseret News/Intermountain Healthcare Hotline focuses on back pain and advances in treatment options. From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dr. Scott Swasey, a specialist with Intermountain Medical Center’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, and Intermountain WorkMed physical therapist Brad Dalton will answer questions. Call 800-925-8177 or post questions during that time on the Deseret News’ Facebook page, www.facebook.com/desnews.
To view the original source of this article, please click here.
Learning properly lifting techniques should take place BEFORE you start the heavy lifting.  If you don’t, then you will probably end up with back pain sooner or later.  This following video will give you some specific guidance on how to avoid back problems while lifting.

Share
Filed Under: Back Strengthening Exercises, Chronic Lumbar Strain, Low Back Pain Physical Therapy, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Lower Back Spasms, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain, Treatment Options

Back Problems Stenosis

December 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The holidays can be stressful and, in the case of people suffering with back problems, painful if not managed well.  A painful back and/or leg can really ruin the holidays for you.  Some of these are outlined below as well as a few hints for how to manage your holiday activities as they relate to back problems stenosis.

Back Problems Stenosis

Back Problems Stenosis

For many in the Cincinnati area living with debilitating back and leg pain, the added demands of the holidays can make even the simplest tasks such as decorating a Christmas tree nearly impossible.

More than 3 million Americans are affected each year by a condition called lumbar spinal stenosis, which can cause lower back pain or shooting pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the buttocks and legs. It is a degenerative condition that usually begins to affect men and women in their 50s and 60s and is caused by the overgrowth of bone and tissue that press on nerves as they exit the spine and travel to the lower half of the body.

Consider these healthy back tips to help keep you on track to have a healthy holiday season:

1. Carry smaller loads when shopping for gifts: Don’t load everything into one bag. By using multiple bags, you distribute the weight evenly over your entire body. Also, make frequent trips to the car to drop off purchases.

2. Decorate in pairs: One person can hand the lights and ornaments to the other person to hang, which avoids twisting your back to get what you need.

3. Stand when wrapping gifts: Wrapping gifts on the floor can strain the neck and lower back.

4. Dress appropriately for winter weather: Wear appropriate shoes that offer orthopedic support and traction to reduce the chance of slipping in winter weather.

5. Clear snow and ice from walkways for holiday visitors: Shoveling snow can cause muscle strain and even serious bone fractures. Bend at the knees and not the waist, and clear deep snow layer by layer to avoid excess weight. Make sure to salt or sand icy walkways to prevent slips and falls that can severely injure your back.

6. Know when to see a doctor: Most types of back pain eventually resolve with little or no treatment. However, some conditions, like lumbar stenosis, require a doctor’s care. Left untreated, the symptoms of lumbar stenosis can worsen over time and significantly limit activities of daily living.

For people suffering with lumbar stenosis, there are several methods of conservative treatment options available, including physical therapy or epidural steroid injections. However, once these treatment methods are no longer successful at relieving symptoms, a surgical procedure called lumbar decompression is considered. Lumbar decompression surgery is one of the most common and successful treatment options for treating lumbar stenosis, however, limitations exist with traditional surgical instruments.

Lumbar stenosis can occur in three distinct areas as the nerve exits the spine, depending on the location of the overgrown bone and tissue. Traditional instruments sometimes have trouble accessing the three parts of the spine where overgrown bone and tissue compress nerves, often requiring the removal of healthy pieces of the patient’s spine needed for stability.A new alternative is available in Cincinnati called the iO-Flex System, which is the first minimally invasive set of flexible instruments for decompression surgery that allows spine surgeons to tailor the procedure based on the location of the patient’s lumbar stenosis, with minimal disruption to the healthy anatomy.

Because the iO-Flex System is designed to be less invasive and less traumatic, a patient may experience shorter hospital stays and recovery times compared to traditional decompression.If you or a loved one is letting debilitating symptoms of lumbar stenosis get in the way of holiday plans, don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor and learn about your options so you can get back to enjoying the holiday season.

To avoid a sudden onset of back or leg pain, try to plan your holiday activities ahead of time.  Don’t try to do too much at one time.  Take rest periods.  Follow the advice in the article above by Dr. Nael Shanti so that you can have a happy holiday and avoid back problems stenosis.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

 

Share
Filed Under: Chronic Back Pain Management, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Lower Back Spasms, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain, Sciatica Nerve

Back Pain Muscle

December 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Back pain can be caused by several things, among those strained muscles or muscle spasms.  But what you may not know about is how your back pain can be impacted by the piriformis muscle.  This little known back pain muscle is explained in the following article as well as how it can impact your back problems.

Low back problems resulting in sciatica certainly get their fair share of publicity. In fact, they’re the most frequently diagnosed conditions e  ach year in the United States.

But what you may not know is that many cases of buttock and leg pain are caused by the piriformis muscle. It’s a muscle that lives deep inside your hip joint which can become tight or spasm and cause pain in a very similar fashion to sciatica.

Back Pain Muscle

Back Pain Muscle

If you have pain in this area you should be examined at your first available opportunity to prevent a sudden worsening of the disorder. Because diagnostic accuracy is necessary to produce the best clinical outcome possible, your clinician will need to perform a variety of clinical tests to both your hip and back before initiating treatment of any kind.

Piriformis syndrome can be extremely painful and can linger for months. It can substantially impact your daily life in the absence of formal treatment, so read on to see some of the more common features of piriformis syndrome and whether or not you need to be seen in a clinic.

Piriformis syndrome, unlike sciatica, often worsens throughout the day. Sciatica is classically caused by mechanical problems in the low back that frequently ease with a little movement, a change in position or with walking. But because piriformis syndrome is muscular, it will likely worsen with increasing activity.

Symptoms are typically felt deep in the buttock in addition to other places in the leg. Classically, symptoms of sciatica emanating from the low back migrate to different places in the leg throughout the day. Piriformis symptoms tend to show up more consistently in the same place without much variation.

If you have stiffness anywhere in your hip you’re a candidate for acquiring the condition. If you have trouble getting your shoes on, crossing your legs when you sit or experience stiffness when bending forward, you’re going to have to take some steps towards regaining your mobility.

“Throbbing” and “toothache-like” pain are the two most common symptoms associated with piriformis syndrome. You may get a sharp pain or two if you move the wrong way, but generally speaking, most people describe piriformis syndrome with adjectives that suggest it feels unrelenting.

A limp is a telltale sign that you need to get checked out. It indicates that the surrounding musculature of your hip, leg and trunk are unable to maintain your normal gait. Limping invariably leads to more limping and thus more pain, so get checked out quickly — a limp can be notoriously difficult to chase away.

Don’t sit directly on your wallet. Where your wallet sits in your seat pocket is exactly where the piriformis muscle lives. Prolonged compression on the muscle will pinch a portion of the sciatic nerve — which lives right underneath the muscle — and give you a case of piriformis-induced sciatica.

If you have ever had sciatic pain, then you know how much discomfort the piriformis muscle can cause.  Educating yourself about this back pain muscle can hopefully help you prevent some of your back problems.

To see the original source of this article, please click here.

Share
Filed Under: Chiropractor Medicine, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Spasms, Orthopedics Surgeon, Sciatica Nerve

Back Pain and Stress

November 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Which comes first?  Back pain or stress?  It is no secret to those of us that suffer with back pain that stress is a big part of the equation.  Stress causes muscles to tense up, which in turn can cause muscle spasms and/or more back pain.  I found this interesting article from the United Kingdom that explores the relationship between back pain and stress.

Back Pain and Stress

Back Pain and Stress

Estimates vary as to the number of people in the UK currently suffering from work-related back pain, but figures suggest at least a million sufferers with 9.9 million working days being lost each year as a result.

Whilst there are a variety of factors that can lead to back pain and musculoskeletal disorders, experts agree that back pain is a common symptom of stress. But the bigger question is how many employees are treated for back pain in isolation without any discussion or understanding of the fact that it has been caused by stress?

There is a clear role for employers to take the lead, highlighted by the findings of a recent CIPD report which revealed stress as the number one cause of long term absence amongst both manual and non-manual workers.

When we are stressed our muscles tense up and, if we remain stressed, this can begin to cause other problems. Holding a lot of tension in our back, neck and shoulders can cause significant pain and tenderness. Employees who feel stressed and who have not learnt mechanisms to manage their stress levels are more likely to become sick so it’s important for employers to have systems in place to support their workforce.

Health cash plans that offer benefits such as physiotherapy and chiropractic treatments without the need for a GP referral, plus access to an integrated Employee Assistance Programme, encourage employees to adopt a more pro-active attitude towards stress-related health problems. And they needn’t be costly. Increasing numbers of employers are turning to cash plans as a cost effective way to provide support for their staff, making it simple for them to address health-related issues as and when they arise.

So, we in America are not the only ones “blessed” with back pain.  Back problems and related pain are common all over the world and apparently the stress of our daily lives tend to intensify that pain.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

Share
Filed Under: Lower Back Spasms, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain

Lower Back Spasms

August 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

back muscleHave you ever had a leg cramp in the middle of the night or while on your early morning run?  Leg muscle cramps are very painful and usually can be worked out in a matter of minutes.  But imagine having a muscle cramp or muscle spasm in the muscles of your back–muscles that are much bigger than leg muscles!

Lower back spasms can cause excruciating pain.  A doctor explained it to me this way–When a muscle spasm starts in your back, the natural reaction of your muscles is to tighten to protect your spine.  This tightening can cause more spams which cause more pain and the cycle repeats itself.

Once a cycle of back muscle spasms starts, it is difficult to break that cycle.  To stop the cycle will usually involve muscle relaxants and bed rest for a few days.

Share
Filed Under: Lower Back Spasms Tagged With: , ,