Conquering Chronic Low Back Pain

Low back pain itself is one of the top ten reasons people in North America seek a physician’s advice. Combine low back pain with other complaints, and the numbers increase. Chronic Low back pain is a possibility in any group of people, fit or out-of-shape. Look at these examples of chronic low back pain complaints.

* Severe low back pain from lifting
* Low back pain in endurance runners
* Office ergonomics posture and low back pain
* Occupational low back pain
* Low back pain and pneumonia

Studies indicate that as many as 60 percent of patients in the general practitioners’ offices are those with passing or chronic low back pain. In most cases, the pain is temporary, and resolves of its own accord in two or three weeks.

Your Risk Factor

Everyone is at risk for low back pain, but not necessarily for chronic low back pain. Both children and elderly people can suffer. Children usually suffer low back pain as a result of injury, and heal quickly. Senior citizens, especially those who are sedentary, are more likely to strain their backs while performing some unaccustomed activity.

Those at greatest risk are middle-aged people, from 30 to 50 years of age. Carrying or lifting heavy bags, furniture, etc. are usually the causes of low back pain in this age group.

If your pain is acute, and is caused by health problems, it may become chronic low back pain. Arthritis can also produce chronic low back pain. Do not assume, however, that nothing can be done.

Overcoming Low Back Pain

Conquering chronic low back pain is often a matter of regular, consistent exercise. As long as your physician agrees, you can try exercise for most chronic low back pain, including arthritis. Many exercises for low back pain require no equipment at all. Some may require a simple, straight-back chair, or a gym ball. In some cases, water exercise is recommended, since it puts less pressure on joints while strengthening core muscles.

We described exercises for low back pain in an earlier blog on this site. Look for 06-Exercise for Back Pain under blog “Categories” to the right side of this page.

CAUTION: The author is not a medical professional, and intends the information here to be for educational purposes only. Please be sure you see your physician about low back pain, and seek his or her advice about exercise.