Back Pain Myths Slideshow ??????

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Back Pain Myths Slideshow??????
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The Truth About Back Pain

• It might be a sharp stab. It might be a dull
  ache. Sooner or later, eight out of 10 of us will
  have back pain. Back pain is common -- and so are
  back pain myths. See if you can tell the myths
  from the facts.

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Myth Always sit up straight to prevent back
pain.
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Myth Always sit up straight to prevent back pain.

• Okay, slouching is bad for your back. But sitting
  up too straight too still for too long can be a
  strain on the back. If you sit a lot, try this a
  few times a day Lean back in your chair with
  your feet on the floor and a slight curve in your
  back. Even better Try standing for part of the
  day, while on the phone or while reading work
  materials.

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Myth Lifting heavy objects hurts your back.
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Myth Lifting heavy objects hurts your back.

• It's not necessarily how much you lift, it's how
  you lift. Of course you shouldn't lift anything
  that might be too heavy for you. When you lift,
  squat close to the object with your back straight
  and head up. Stand, using your legs to lift the
  load. Do not twist or bend your body while
  lifting. It can really hurt your back to twist
  while bending and lifting with your feet on the
  floor -- as you might do when reaching down from
  a chair to lift a dropped pencil.

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Myth Stay in bed until back pain goes away.
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Myth Stay in bed until back pain goes away.

• Yes, resting can help an acute injury or strain
  that causes back pain. But it's a myth that you
  should stay in bed. A day or two in bed can make
  your back pain worse.

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Myth Back pain is always caused by an injury.
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Myth Back pain is always caused by an injury.

• Disc degeneration, injuries, diseases,
  infections, and even inherited conditions can
  cause back pain.

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Myth Skinny people don't get back pain.
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Myth Skinny people don't get back pain.

• Anyone can get back pain. In fact, people who are
  too thin, such as those suffering from anorexia,
  an eating disorder, may suffer bone loss
  resulting in fractured or crushed vertebrae.

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Myth Exercise is bad for your back pain.
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Myth Exercise is bad for your back pain.

• A big myth. Regular exercise prevents back pain.
  And for people suffering an acute injury
  resulting in lower back pain, doctors may
  recommend an exercise program that begins with
  gentle exercises and gradually increases in
  intensity. Once the acute pain subsides, an
  exercise regimen may help prevent future
  recurrence of back pain.

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Myth A super-firm mattress is best for your
back.
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Myth A super-firm mattress is best for your
back.

• A Spanish study of people with longstanding,
  non-specific back pain showed that those who
  slept on a medium-firm mattress -- rated 5.6 on a
  10-point hard-to-soft scale -- had less back pain
  and disability than those who slept on a firm
  mattress (2.3 on the scale) mattress. However,
  depending on their sleep habits and the cause of
  their back pain, different people may need
  different mattresses.

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Fact Overweight people suffer more back pain.
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Fact Overweight people suffer more back pain.

• Staying fit helps prevent back pain. Back pain is
  most common among people who are out of shape,
  especially weekend warriors who engage in
  vigorous activity after sitting around all week.
  And as you might guess, obesity stresses the
  back.

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Fact Chiropractic adjustments can help back
pain.
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Fact Chiropractic adjustments can help back
pain.

• The American College of Physicians and American
  Pain Society guidelines for treatment of lower
  back pain recommend that patients and doctors
  consider spinal manipulation -- either by a
  chiropractor or a massage therapist -- for
  patients with back pain.

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Fact Acupuncture can help back pain.
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Fact Acupuncture can help back pain.

• According to guidelines from the American College
  of Physicians and the American Pain Society,
  patients and their doctors should consider
  acupuncture among treatments for back pain
  patients who do not get relief from standard self
  care. Yoga, progressive relaxation, and
  cognitive-behavioral therapy are also suggested
  for consideration.