Neck and Lower Back Pain

Neck and lower back pains are common.



"Low back pain (LBP) affects at least 80% of us some time in our lives, perhaps 20-30% of us at any given time. It is usually recurrent, and subsequent episodes tend to increase in severity. It is common in individuals who lead sedentary lives and in those who engage in manual labor. It can occur at any age but is most prevalent during the third to sixth decades of life."

Neck and lower back pain are a serious problem.

"Tremendous costs are associated with LBP including lost productivity and income from work, the expense of medical, rehabilitation and surgical interventions, and the costs of disabling pain and limited daily function. Back pain is second only to upper respiratory conditions as the stated cause of work loss. The costs for treatment and compensation for LBP in industry may be greater than the total amount spent on all other industrial injuries combined."

Neck and lower back pain can be treated by a variety of means.

"LBP has been and is currently treated with almost every modality known to man including prolonged bed rest, narcotics, surgery, heat, cold, exercise, immobilization, flexion, extension, traction, massage, manipulation, mobilization, muscle relaxants, etc., etc."

One of the most common causes of neck and LBP in the U.S. today is incorrect posture.







How can I test my posture?



Stand near a wall, with your back to it, but not touching the wall. Back up until something touches. Did your behind touch first, as in the first figure in the drawing above? You may stand "booty out," flexed at the hip. Did your upper back touch first (second figure in the drawing above)? You may stand slouched backward. Now try to stand with your heels, hips, upper back, and the back of your head against a wall. Bring the back of your head against the wall without raising or dropping your chin, or arching your back. If you can't keep your heels, hips, upper back, and the back of your head comfortably against the wall (third figure in the drawing above), or if you have to crane your neck, you are too tight to stand up straight. Pain results from the resulting bad positioning and slouching your tightness creates all day, every day.

Is trying to improve my posture really worth it?


Increased strength and athletic ability (improved core).

Decreased pain.

Maintaince of good posture will dramatically improve overall health for the rest of your life.

Your voice sounds better. More lung space and better conditioning in the neck improves the quality of your voice.

Good posture boosts self-image. It makes you stand out in a crowd. Your general appearance is improved. Your clothes fit better, and you communicate dignity, balance, poise and self-confidence.

Good posture makes you look thinner. Your shoulders are back, chest is expanded and your abdomen is flatter.

Your posture affects your mood: Good posture contributes to a positive mood. Poor posture is linked to depression.



How do improve my posture?

Through a combination of constant effort and regular, directed excerises. Throughout the next couple of weeks I will be posting a series of articles on suggestions, streches and excercises for improving your overall posture. Hopefully these tips will help all of us improve and enjoy our lives a little more.





http://www.posturejac.com/posturejac/myweb.php?hls=10019

http://www.drbookspan.com/NeckPainArticle.html

http://www.vhct.org/case1699/preval_costs.htm