|
Exercise in workplace and community environments is excellent in halting low-back problems, while a variety of other popular interventions have little if any beneficial effect, according to a recent review of a number of high-scientific-quality clinical trials.
“Strong and consistent evidence finds many popular prevention methods to fail, while exercise has a significant impact, both in terms of preventing symptoms and reducing back-pain-related work loss,” said Stanley J. Bigos, a University of Washington professor emeritus of orthopedic surgery and environmental health.
Bigos and his fellow researchers, who published their results in The Spine Journal, examined an array of clinical trials on back-pain prevention, weighing their scientific quality using criteria set by the prestigious Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group. They found 20 controlled trials that were very high-quality in their methodology and objectivity. Eight of these dealt with exercise as a back-pain preventive, and seven of the eight found exercise to be effective in halting back-pain problems.
The other trials, however, found several other approaches to back pain to be ineffective, including reduced-lifting programs, back or ergonomic educational interventions, lumbar supports, shoe inserts and stress management.
“Passive interventions such as lumbar belts and shoe inserts do not appear to work,” Bigos said. “And eight trials found ergonomic interventions, of either reducing lifting, or back or ergonomic training sessions, to be ineffective in preventing back problems.”
The Bigos review, however, doesn’t mean that ergonomic educational programs shouldn’t be pursued – only that they’re not effective against back pain. They may have other benefits, said John Holland, a co-author and a University of Washington clinical professor of environmental and occupational health sciences. “Ergonomic interventions may increase productivity, product quality and work comfort,” he said. “There are many reasons why such research should continue.”
The scientists declared that the results of their review suggest that resources for the prevention of back pain should be applied to interventions that really work – namely, exercise programs – not to popular but ineffective methods.
“The new review also supports one additional important conclusion,” said Bigos. “Ten years ago, some critics suggested we rely upon lower level studies. They maintained that it was not possible to perform high-quality clinical trials on preventive interventions for low-back problems in the workplace. However, our review demonstrates the viability of the growing number of high-quality trials providing more reliable evidence to guide back-problem prevention efforts.”
Related Stories
EMPOWERED DOCTOR Medical Marketing
Call 1-888-697-2630
Marketing Service
Medical Professionals Only,
CA
If you use spinal decompression in your practice and want to reach more patients, Empowered Doctor can help you...
Detroit Institute for Spinal Care
Call
5600 W. Maple Road St, A110
West Bloomfield,
MI
48322
Lower back disorders can be very limiting as well as extremely painful. If you have been dissatisfied with the shortcomings of traditional medicine or are simply looking to Relieve Lumbar and Lower Back Pain with Chiropractic Treatments, look no further than Detroit Institute for Spinal Care in Pontiac, Michigan. Dr. Eric Mintz heads this innovative clinic that has a growing national reputation for excellence in easing spinal pain while increasing functionality. They specialize in individual care, so you feel at ease every step of the way throughout your noninvasive treatment.
Westchester Non-Surgical Spine and Sports Care
Call (914) 202-0700
12 Old Mamaroneck Rd.
Wht Plns,
NY
10605
Back pain caused by Spinal Stenosis can heavily affect your life. When a simple task such as grocery shopping or walking to your car causes immense pain, everyday errands become intimidating and unnecessarily stressful. Conventional medical practices generally recommend painkillers, or, in some cases, surgery. Painkillers tend to only temporarily relieve the body of pain and usually do not target one specific area, where surgery is often expensive and carries great risk. At Westchester Non-Surgical Spine and Sports Care in Westchester County, New York, there is another option known as spinal decompression to help free you from back pain. This practice is done by doctors who have genuine care for their patients and who are experienced in the treatment of conditions like Spinal Stenosis.
Hauptman Family Health Center
Call 888-551-0868
Rodin Place, 2000 Hamilton Street Ste. 303
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
19130
Chronic fatigue can be an extremely debilitating condition which can cause severe mental and physical exhaustion. Many times, it cannot be relieved by rest and is worsened by exertion. If you are looking for treatment, Hauptman Family Health Center can help improve your health and wellbeing using their integrated approach to healthcare.
Call 888-283-6198
224 Midland Ave.
Saddle Brook,
New Jersey
07663
When your back is causing you severe pain, Chiropractic doctors are your best bet to getting back into shape without surgery. Passaic County, New Jersey, residents suffering from back problems should head over to Dr. Peter Ferraro. The procedures will have your back feeling better than ever. Dr. Ferraro and his staff pride themselves in having some of the most cutting-edge technology out in the market today.
Spinal Relief Center USA
Call (888) 351-8612
13325 100th Ave NE Ste B&C
Kirkland,
Washington
98034
Back pain is a condition that affects over fifty percent of the U.S. adult population every year. It can affect men and women of all ages. While many times back pain will subside with no treatment, it is important to consult a medical professional if the pain persists. The Spinal Relief Center, USA of Seattle is an outstanding facility that has provided many individuals with the care and treatment they needed. Dr. Jeremy Meadows, DC is the director of the center and along with the help of his staff, he has drastically improved many people's lives.
MedWell, L.L.C. Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy
Call (888) 820-2250
33 Central Ave
Midland Park,
NJ
07432
Has back or neck pain stripped you of the life you once had? Millions of Americans suffer the same problem each year, but they are quickly becoming aware of the effective new treatment option, the DRX 9000 spinal decompression therapy. At MedWell Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy in Bergen County, New Jersey, Dr. Ali Maz restores people to the function they once had and relieves their pain.
North East Spine & Rehab
Call 888-266-9201
363 Route 111, St 107
Smithtown,
NY
11787
Are looking for ways to fight that back pain? Want back pain relief badly? North East Spine and Rehab can help you at their Long Island location. They can administer Spinal Decompression Therapy that is noninvasive and non-surgical, without involving any drugs, medication or anesthesia. So instead of searching all over for the help that you can already find in one place consider Advanced Back Solutions.
Spinal Correction Center of Richmond
Call 888-804-5326
8536 Patterson Ave.
Richmond,
Virginia
23229
Providing you with the safest possible care to assist with multiple problems that can cause the utmost pain, the Spinal Correction Center's Dr. Michael Mulvaney, D.C. of Richmond, VA is just the chiropractor that you need to see. His chiropractic care clinic specializes in spinal decompression to alleviate back and neck pain.
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
Call (888) 837-8158
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville,
NY
10708
Modern diagnostic medicine has become increasingly more expensive as it has gotten more accurate and dependable; digital MRI services are particularly useful to doctors and surgeons when they need to make the right diagnosis and prescribe the best treatment. Lawrence Hospital Center serving Bedford Park, New York makes digital MRI services and other medical imaging affordable for the community they serve while offering the best contemporary medicine can give.
Call 888-283-6198
224 Midland Ave.
Saddle Brook,
New Jersey
07663
Shooting pains that feel like fire are running up and down your legs. Your lower back is killing you. You might even lose the feeling occasionally. Nerve pain and numbness are symptoms that often come from a compressed nerve in the spine, and until recent advances in technology, a sentence of long term use of painkillers or back surgery that for many fails to get results was the norm. Dr. Ferraro is proud to serve the Passaic County, New Jersey region.
Alberta Back and Neck Rehab
Call (888) 337-9387
4607 MacLeod Trail SW
Calgary,
Alberta
T2G 0A6
Have you tried various exercises to strengthen your neck that actually haven't helped? Perhaps it's because your neck muscles were not tested properly. That no longer has to be the case thanks to the MCU/Multi-Cervical Unit that tests your neck muscle strength in 16 directions. Dr. Drew Oliphant, DC of Alberta Back and Neck Rehab in Calgary, Alberta, utilizes this technology and can decipher whether to implement treatments such as cervical decompression therapy.
Fulton Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Call
122 Fulton St., 6th Floor
New York City,
NY
10038
Suffering from agonizing back pain and don't know where to locate a chiropractor who has the skills and the compassion to treat you right? Then there is no need to worry. A great choice for the job is Dr. Randy Stephan at Fulton Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation serving Brooklyn, NYC. He can provide you with exceptional non-invasive treatment designed to thoroughly relieve your pain and help you reclaim a healthy and active life.
Health Source Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab
Call (888) 836-8057
6163 SW Murray Blvd.
Beaverton,
Oregon
97008
Neck Pain is very serious and can play a major toll on your physical activity. If are looking for a natural and effective way to ease your pain, the doctors at the Health Source of Beaverton Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab in Portland, Oregon may have the plan that is right for you. Dr. Leif Choi, DC heads this state of the art facility and is a specialist in alleviating your pain in a noninvasive and drug free manner.
Northeast Spine & Rehab
Call 888-266-9201
363 Route 111, St 107
Smithtown,
NY
11787
Have you encountered a back ailment that has sent radiating pain down to your lower extremities such as your buttocks, leg and/or foot? If your answer is yes to this question, your pain may be a result of a condition known as sciatica. This condition occurs fairly often and indicates that there may be a problem with the nerves in your spine. The good news is, with immediate attention, you can reverse the effects of sciatica and Dr. Stephen Lembo DC is happy to help. His office Northeast Spine and Rehab is located conveniently in Smithtown, Long Island and features some of the most advanced technologies available today.
Peterson Clinic of Chiropractic
Call 918-289-2002
6951 E. 71st Street
Tulsa,
OK
74133
The agony of being an athlete with an injury - it's incredibly frustrating. You sit on the sidelines or in the weight room, watching your teammates and competitors and wondering how hard it's going to be to get back, to regain lost ground, to rebuild deteriorating muscle and retrain nerves. Sports injuries are often misunderstood. You need a doctor who specializes in treating athletes, a doctor with years of experience in providing treatment for each specific type of sports injury: Dr. Michael Peterson of Peterson Clinic of Chiropractic, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Utah Disc Center
Call 801-525-1471
471 West Heritage Park Blvd Suite 3
Layton,
UT
84041
Back pain continues to effect a growing number of Americans every year, and many want to experience pain relief without drugs or surgery. Those in Sandy, Utah, have turned to the Utah Disc Center with Dr. Michael Kunzler, a Chiropractor in order to find the relief that they have been seeking. This sophisticated, yet welcoming center offers the individual care needed in order to alleviate the root of your pain.
Valley Spinal Decompression Center
Call (888) 870-2099
5363 Balboa Blvd. Suite 430
Encino,
CA
91316
If you are suffering from low back pain and have not yet found a solution then Dr. Bruce Shannahoff, DC of the Valley Spinal Decompression Center of LA, California may be able to help you. Dr. Shannahoff uses cutting-edge technology to provide his patients with the lasting pain relief. This state of the art facility has given many people in LA new hope for their low back problems.
Huntington Medical and Rehabilitation
Call 888-304-6601
33 Walt Whitman Road Ste. 100
Huntington Station,
NY
11746
Headaches are the worst. If you are a frequent sufferer of headaches, there are a number of reasons this could be. Stress is the leading cause for much of this kind of discomfort, but nerve pressure can also be a big contributor to this. If you are looking for relief that works, Huntington Medical and Rehabilitation in Huntington, New York can help you.
Roberts Family & Sports Chiropractic
Call 888-653-1365
8151 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
19128
How do you deal with shoulder pain that is severe and unresponsive to pain killers and rest? For pain relief that is effective as well as long lasting, it's best to get medical attention from a doctor who has extensive knowledge and experience to successfully treat painful back and neck conditions. Dr. Lenny Roberts, DC is proud to offer his valuable chiropractic services to all families in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania community. Dr. Roberts offers anyone of any age the medical attention they need for optimal health and wellness.