Every year, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) chooses a topic of focus to assist clinicians, scientists, those living with pain, and the public understand and be proactive about pain. This year, they are focusing on Back Pain.
Low back pain (LBP) is a common global problem. The prevalence of LBP in 2017 was estimated to be about 7.5% of the global population, or around 577.0 million people. LBP has been the leading cause of years lived with disability since 1990 and remains a significant global public health concern. About 20% of adults suffer from chronic pain and a substantial proportion of adults suffering pain are elderly.
While the overall increase in the burden of LBP is likely to be driven by ageing and an increasing population, there have been increases in both the number of people living with LBP and the prevalence of LBP in ALL age groups from 1990 to 2017. Indeed, an interesting piece of data is while the prevalence of LBP increases with increasing age until 80-89 years, the greatest number of people with LBP globally are currently in the 50-54 year old age group according to IASP research.
What can we do about LBS?
First, we need to understand it and separate fact from fiction. Following are 8 Myths about LBS:
Myth 1: The back is a delicate and weak structure.
Your back is actually a strong and robust structure.
Myth 2: Low back pain (LBP) is usually a serious medical condition, will get worse over time and you will end up in a wheelchair.
Most episodes of LBP resolve in a few weeks and are rarely life threatening. Don’t go out and buy a wheelchair.
Myth 3: Scans will show the cause of LBP.
Unfortunately, a scan rarely reveals the cause of LBP. They only show the normal degeneration that everyone has and cannot predict further episodes of LBP.
Myth 4: LBP is caused by standing, lifting, or sitting incorrectly.
This was a myth I completely bought into, but research shows poor correlations, and often no correlation, between posture and LBP.
Myth 5: LBP is caused by weak core muscles.
Another quite common myth. However, there is no evidence to support the assertion that LBP is caused by weak core muscles.
Myth 6: If you have an LBP flare up, you need to rest to recover because you have “damaged” something.
Actually, LBP flare ups are more likely to occur if there have been changes in activity and/or extra stress.
Myth 7: If no specific back problem is found, my pain must be psychological.
All pain is real. Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and fear avoidance can exacerbate episodes of LBP and psychological interventions can sometimes help.
Myth 8: Back Pain that persists is always related to tissue damage.
Many things contribute to LBP including emotions, coping skills and sociocultural factors. Factors such as fear avoidance, negative mindset and poor pain coping are likely to drive LBP rather than tissue damage.
Mathieu Powell I President
Coastline Marketing Inc.
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