Again and again, exercise is the drug of choice to reduce the risk of numerous health issues including low back pain (LBP). A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine found a 35% reduction in LBP at 1 yr for those completing an exercise program and a 45% reduction if they also participated in an education program about LBP. They also found > 75% reduction in lost work time related to LBP in the study group. This last statistic should be interesting to many employers who frequently lose workers to low back injuries.
In the last month alone, I have treated at least 5 work-related low back injuries. To a person, they were all motivated to return to work but were unable to immediately due to not being fit or feeling safe for full duty. An important piece of the rehab process is helping the patients to be more aware of their body movements relative to their aggravating activities. Often this involves breaking down the whole task into smaller pieces to assist the patient in learning how to move in a “safer” way to avoid unnecessary strain and reduce risk of re-injury.
Exercise (therapy) should not end the day you walk out of the therapy clinic; the lessons (exercises) learned should be continued to reduce that re-injury rate. And for those uninjured, do not take for granted that low back pain will never strike you. Statistics say otherwise…lifetime incidence of low back pain is upwards of 60-80% depending on source and 1 year episodes 15-45% again based on source reading.
What should you take away?
Don’t continue to be reactive in terms of your health, only seeking care or making changes when you are sick or injured. If you already exercise, continue and round out your exercise routine for a full body workout. If you are not a regular exerciser, consider starting. Seek help from a qualified medical professional if you do not know where to start. Don’t create barriers and make excuses not to exercise for your health. Exercise for your health…body and mind.
http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/priority_medicines/Ch6_24LBP.pdf