Approximately 60-80% of the adult U.S. population suffers from low back pain and every year about 13 million visit a doctor for chronic back pain. These numbers support that statistic that approximately $86 billion are spent on back and neck pain each year.
Odds are not in your favor that you will go a lifetime without enduring some sort of back pain. Although this might seem daunting, through education and some effort, back pain can be prevented and managed fairly effectively. At the Southwest Spine & Pain Center, we encourage the education necessary in alleviating and limiting chronic pain.
A common misconception that even the well informed might fall under is that continuing to only rest your painful or injured back will be satisfactory in your recovery. But this perception can actually make your condition worse.
It has been proven that exercise can have extremely advantageous benefits for not just back pain sufferers, but any type of chronic pain sufferer as well. Specifically for the back, training the core helps alleviate pressure on the spine. But universally, exercise has been known to increase your pain threshold by releasing natural painkillers called endorphins.
Crossfit is the most recent workout craze that is becoming more prominent across the nation. It involves metabolic conditioning, gymnastics, Olympic lifting, and power lifting all in a timed circuit.
Many back pain sufferers who have given crossfit a shot have seen dramatic results and have been able to perform normally in their daily lives. This is rather a big deal considering many chronic back pain patients have trouble getting into their car, doing their laundry, and even tying their own shoes.
However, crossfit, like any other type of workout, can also be performed incorrectly. These workouts need to be performed the correct way to prevent further damage and pain. Proper form is essential in physical rehabilitation to see the best possible improvements in symptoms and the overall health of your back.
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With three locations and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
©Southwest Spine and Pain Center, 2014
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