PreDisease.com Blog

Back pain is a common problem, estimated to affect up to 80% of the adult population at some point in their lives, and is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor. It is also a common reason for missing work. Yearly, Americans spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 million dollars on back pain care. Most back pain is not related to a serious illness, but is instead the result of mechanical strain (ACA, 2010). Back pain not caused by organic disease can result from one or more of the following:

• Aging- Aging results in “wear and tear” on the spine that can result in pain in the neck and back. A previous history of back pain or injury makes it more likely to happen again.
• Occupation- Jobs that require excessive lifting, bending, standing and/or sitting can result in back pain.
• Weight- Being overweight, in combination with lack of exercise, can set the stage for chronic back pain.
• Sports- Many sports can contribute to back pain, especially if no warm up is done prior to engaging in the activity.
• Poor Posture- Slouching and poor lifting techniques can cause back pain, as can sleeping on a surface that is too soft and does not properly support the back.

Treating back pain can involve a combination of treatments, such as rest, application of ice and heat, physiotherapy, massage therapy, strengthening exercises and medications aimed at addressing the pain and inflammation that result from back injury. Weight reduction, attention to posture, proper lifting techniques and taking care to warm up prior to engaging in sports can aid in the prevention and improvement of back pain.

Source: American Chiropractic Association Back Pain Facts and Statistics http://www.acatoday.org/level2_css.cfm?T1ID=13&T2ID=68

It has been estimated that approximately 45 million people in the United States are without health insurance coverage. Some estimates are higher, some are lower- the bottom line, however, is that an alarming number of people in the US cannot afford health care coverage. This not only impacts those who have already been diagnosed with a health condition, but also those who are not yet aware that they may be in the beginning stages of what may develop into a life-threatening condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, or one of the many chronic health problems that can have devastating consequences.

It has long been known that preventing disease is more cost efficient than treating disease that has already manifested itself: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” are not new or novel concepts. In an ideal world, under an ideal system, all citizens would have easy and affordable access to quality health care. The current economic crisis has further eroded the health care system’s ability to be proactive in preventing many inherently preventable diseases, forcing many to confront their health care issues only after they have become firmly entrenched and more difficult to treat.

Is it any wonder, then, that 38% of American adults turn to complementary medicine as a means of taking charge of their health? (NCCAM, 2007) People are more interested than ever in using natural and more cost effective methods to maintain their health and well-being. Science has gotten behind this movement, devoting more time to exploring complementary and alternative medications and practices. This increased interest has led to many studies confirming the validity of many of these therapies, which has further encouraged their use. It is likely that, as the economic situation continues, higher numbers of people will join this movement.

Source: http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camstats/2007/camsurvey_fs1.htm