Dr. Hamilton Hall, orthopedic surgeon and Canada’s leading back care specialist, in a recent presentation outlined key points on back care education including:
- Back pain is a mechanical problem not a disease - reduction in back pain can be assisted by sitting in a proper posture and using a back support …like the new Obus Ultra Forme
- 8 out of 10 Canadians will suffer from severe back pain
- Approximately 9,000,000 suffer from lower back pain
- The most common incidence in men and women occurs around 40 yrs old
- Back pain is a mechanical problem that relates to how we stand move, sit or lie down
- Constant exercise is a key element to lessen the effects of back pain
For many people, back pain is an all-too-familiar problem. Whether it’s a sharp, acute pain suffered from an injury or a dull and persistent chronic ache, 80% of Canadians will experience back pain sooner or later. Because it’s so common, it’s not surprising that back pain is the #2 reason people see their family doctor - Second to the common cold.
Here are a few key statistics to give you general information on this epidemic:
- #1 cause of disability in people under 45
- #2 reason to visit a doctor (after the common cold)
- 80% of Canadians will suffer back pain at some point in their lives
- 64% of Canadians will have back pain some time this year
There are a number of factors that can put you at risk of developing back pain. Luckily, there are steps you can take to stay healthy and decrease your chances of winding up in pain.
- Age: You’re most likely to suffer your first incident of back pain between 30 and 40. It also becomes more common with older age
- Fitness level: Staying in good shape helps to keep back pain at bay. Maintaining a moderate level of physical activity, including low-impact aerobics, will help the muscles that help support your spine stay strong
- Diet: Carrying extra weight puts extra strain on your back muscles, so stick to a healthy diet that avoids excess calories and fats
- Heredity: Some causes of back pain do have a genetic component. Find out if back pain runs in your family, and let your doctor know
- Smoking: It’s not just bad for your lungs. Smoking can block the blood vessels that feed your back muscles and nerves, leaving them weaker, more prone to injury and slower to heal
- Occupational factors: Jobs that demand a lot of heavy lifting, pushing and pulling put you at great risk of suffering a back injury if you don’t maintain proper posture. On the other hand, sitting at a desk all day with poor posture or inadequate back support also leads to chronic back pain
In addition to seeing your doctor, there are a number of options available for you to deal with your back pain. A consultation with your pharmacist can also help explain the many available treatments for both acute and chronic back pain.
Acute back pain: the most common type of back pain. It hits you suddenly, usually after suffering an injury or strain, and usually goes away rather quickly. Acute back pain should last for no more than 6 weeks.
- Medications: Acute back pain usually goes away all on its own, and a simple pain reliever will help ease the pain until it does. It is best to return to general activity and movement as soon as possible.
- Chronic back pain: it may come on quickly or slowly, and it can last for 3 months or more. While less common than acute pain, it does have many more treatment options available.
- Heat and cold: Applying heat to strained muscles can help increase blood flow and decrease spasms. Cold will reduce inflammation and help numb deep muscle pain
- Exercise and stretching: By strengthening your back muscles, you can help prevent further injury and decrease radiating pain. Stretching your muscles will reduce your back stiffness and increase your range of motion
- Aerobic exercise: For general fitness, you should engage in 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise 3 times a week. With back pain, you should do low-impact exercise that doesn’t require extreme twisting or bending
- Medications: there are many different medications you can try. Speak to your pharmacist about commonly available ones, or speak to your doctor about prescription treatments
- Pain relievers: these can be helpful for relieving pain when taken as a pill, or as a topical cream or gel
- Anti-inflammatories: these can relieve both pain and inflammation in your back
Backrest support: there are a number of devices available to help correct your posture and prevent the onset and worsening of chronic back pain. Consult your pharmacist about which one will give you the best results for your condition.
BedBathStore.com carries a complete line of Obus Ultra Form Back Support products
