Suffering with Back Pain? Lifestyle Changes May Help.

A recent study suggests lifestyle modification may be equally or more important than medication and surgery in treating chronic back pain.

Nearly 65 million Americans experience back pain in the United States, and 16 million have chronic back pain. Back pain affects both men and women, and it can develop at any age. Many reasons lead to developing back pain, including the following:

• Injury, such as strains, sprains, vertebral fractures or pinched nerves
• Structural problem like scoliosis or spinal stenosis
• All types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Damage to spinal discs
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Conditions like endometriosis, tumors, kidney stones or infections

Determining the cause of back pain and treating it appropriately are essential for healing and resuming daily activities.

Australian Study Finds That Changing Habits Can Reduce Back Pain

A research team from the University of Sydney’s Centre for Rural Health conducted a study that found lifestyle support could decrease back pain, reduce disability and improve quality of life.

The trial analyzed 346 people with back pain who had at least one modifiable risk factor like poor diet, obesity, smoking or sedentary lifestyle. The researchers divided the participants into two categories: one receiving physiotherapy based on guidelines and the other participating in a “Healthy Lifestyle Program (HeLP).”

Members of the HeLP group received support from dietitians, physiotherapists and health coaches, who engaged with them through meetings or calls to identify behaviors linked to their back pain. At the end of the study, the HeLP participants lost an average of 1.6 kg more than the control group and showed reduced disability.

“Resolving back pain needs to focus on more than the back,” said Chief Investigator Associate Professor Chris Williams. “Our bodies are not like machines. We are more like ecosystems where lots of factors interact and determine how we work and feel. Back pain is no different.”

Keep a Journal of Your Symptoms

If you are experiencing back pain, keep a journal where you can record your symptoms. Make sure to put the date on every entry, and write down as much as you can, including the following:

• Where it hurts
• How long you have been feeling discomfort
• Whether something caused the initial pain, like an injury or accident
• What activities make the pain intense
• What brings pain relief
• What over-the-counter medications you have tried
• The limitations the pain places on you

It will also help your doctor if you know your family medical history, especially if any of your relatives had autoimmune disease.

Find a Board-certified Orthopedist Near You

You do not have to suffer with chronic back pain. If you experience recurrent pain that limits your activities, your condition is not under control. The correct diagnosis will help your doctor streamline your care so you can return to the activities you enjoy. Some causes of back pain are complicated and may require you to visit a specialist.

A certified orthopedic specialist can assist you in finding treatment methods that incorporate medication and lifestyle adjustments for your relief. You may need support in maintaining a healthy weight, managing your blood pressure and cholesterol or quitting a habit like smoking. A combination of exercise, physical therapy and education can be a powerful combination to manage pain.

Sometimes, your orthopedic spine surgeon or a neurosurgeon will recommend a procedure if you have exhausted all your options. For decades, patients have received safe, high-quality outpatient surgical procedures with increased convenience and savings at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across the nation.

AMSURG ASCs are committed to providing excellent patient experiences with highly professional service and the most advanced technologies available. Patients are discharged from our centers the same day as the procedure to recover at home.

If you are looking for an orthopedic practice to help with your pain management, our physicians are accepting new patients. Call today to make an appointment so you can resume your active lifestyle.