We all know how physically debilitating an episode of low back pain can be, but did you know that if this becomes a chronic condition it can actually begin to affect your brain? Disability from low back pain is a growing public health problem in Australia with a lifetime prevalence rate of between 60%-80%.
In fact low back pain is the second most common presenting complaint to general practitioners after upper respiratory complaints (i.
e cold and flu symptoms).
On a larger scale, disability from back pain places a significant socioeconomic burden on the individual and the community.
In Australia, back problems are the leading specific musculoskeletal cause of health system expenditure, with an estimated total cost of $700 million in 1993-1994.
A common misconception is that a single event is the cause of most back pain episodes.
According to Professor Stuart McGill a leading low back researcher the most likely scenarios which result in injury occur as the result of cumulative trauma from sub-failure magnitude loads.
In other words injury most commonly is the result of repeated loads placed on the spine and discs which leads to accumulated trauma such as micro tears of the outer portion of the disc and a weakening of supporting structures.
This process is known as Internal Disc Disruption (IDD) and is thought to account for nearly 40% of all back pain.
We are all aware of the physical effects of back pain, but interesting research is continuing to provide insight into the neurological effects of this type of injury and its associated lifestyle.
A 2004 study by the Department of Neurology at the Northwestern University school of medicine found that patients suffering from chronic low back pain showed a loss of 5-11% brain volume, compared to healthy subjects, in areas responsible for functions such as memory, thought and sensory processing.
This decrease is equivalent to the brain volume lost in 10-20 years of normal aging.
As this change in our neurological structure proceeds the pain condition becomes more irreversible and less responsive to therapy.
Experts believe this to occur as a result of diminished movement and activity particularly that of our midline postural muscles which stabilize our spine.
The postural muscle system provides a large amount of stimulation necessary for the growth and maintenance of our nervous system and brain.
Studies have even shown muscle wasting or atrophy of the Multifidus muscle (a small intrinsic muscle which helps to stabilize spinal movement) specific to the side and level of the back injury within 48 hours of its onset.
It is therefore important to seek early intervention to get you back on the road to recovery.
Through specific chiropractic adjustments of your spine, pelvis and extremities, rehabilitative exercises and supportive products chiropractors can create an individual strategy to break the downward spiral of chronic pain or injury and get you back to your best.
Chiropractors aim to break the chronic pain cycle and empower you to make healthy lifestyle choices to keep you well.
I'm sure you agree that life is simply too short to live in pain, restricted from doing the activities you want to do.
In fact low back pain is the second most common presenting complaint to general practitioners after upper respiratory complaints (i.
e cold and flu symptoms).
On a larger scale, disability from back pain places a significant socioeconomic burden on the individual and the community.
In Australia, back problems are the leading specific musculoskeletal cause of health system expenditure, with an estimated total cost of $700 million in 1993-1994.
A common misconception is that a single event is the cause of most back pain episodes.
According to Professor Stuart McGill a leading low back researcher the most likely scenarios which result in injury occur as the result of cumulative trauma from sub-failure magnitude loads.
In other words injury most commonly is the result of repeated loads placed on the spine and discs which leads to accumulated trauma such as micro tears of the outer portion of the disc and a weakening of supporting structures.
This process is known as Internal Disc Disruption (IDD) and is thought to account for nearly 40% of all back pain.
We are all aware of the physical effects of back pain, but interesting research is continuing to provide insight into the neurological effects of this type of injury and its associated lifestyle.
A 2004 study by the Department of Neurology at the Northwestern University school of medicine found that patients suffering from chronic low back pain showed a loss of 5-11% brain volume, compared to healthy subjects, in areas responsible for functions such as memory, thought and sensory processing.
This decrease is equivalent to the brain volume lost in 10-20 years of normal aging.
As this change in our neurological structure proceeds the pain condition becomes more irreversible and less responsive to therapy.
Experts believe this to occur as a result of diminished movement and activity particularly that of our midline postural muscles which stabilize our spine.
The postural muscle system provides a large amount of stimulation necessary for the growth and maintenance of our nervous system and brain.
Studies have even shown muscle wasting or atrophy of the Multifidus muscle (a small intrinsic muscle which helps to stabilize spinal movement) specific to the side and level of the back injury within 48 hours of its onset.
It is therefore important to seek early intervention to get you back on the road to recovery.
Through specific chiropractic adjustments of your spine, pelvis and extremities, rehabilitative exercises and supportive products chiropractors can create an individual strategy to break the downward spiral of chronic pain or injury and get you back to your best.
Chiropractors aim to break the chronic pain cycle and empower you to make healthy lifestyle choices to keep you well.
I'm sure you agree that life is simply too short to live in pain, restricted from doing the activities you want to do.