The majority of back pain patients have not experienced any trauma,
accidents or major injuries prior to the onset of their problem. The
cause of most back pain is the cumulative affect of improper sitting
posture, poor work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of proper exercise
and other lifestyle-related factors. All of these factors cause stress
and imbalances on the spine and eventually pain. This is why people
often injure their back by just bending over to pick up a piece of
paper. The spine was already compromised and just the simple act of
bending was enough to set off the problem. When this occurs, the
surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or
injured tissues of the back.
In the US, low back pain is one of the most common conditions and one
of the leading causes of physician visits. In fact, at least four out
of five adults will experience low back pain at some point in their
lives.Thirty-one million Americans have low back pain at any given
time. One half of all working Americans admit to having back symptoms
each year. One third of all Americans over age 18 had a back problem in
the past five years severe enough for them to seekprofessional help.
And the cost of this care is estimated to be a staggering $50 Billion
yearly--and that's just for the more easily identified costs!
SYMPTOMS
- TENDERNESS, PAIN, AND STIFFNESS IN THE LOWER BACK
- PAIN THAT RADIATES INTO THE BUTTOCKS OR LEGS
- DIFFICULTY STANDING ERECT OR STANDING IN ONE POSITION FOR A LONG TIME
- WEAKNESS AND LEG FATIGUE WHILE WALKING
- DISCOMFORT WHILE SITTING
