Back pain - Part 4

Do Flat Feet Cause Back Pain?

In a recent study, researchers found that women who have flat feet, a common condition, are 50 percent more likely to have pain in their lower back as opposed to those with normal or high arches. This study is the first of its kind to make a significant connection between low back pain and flat feet. Published in the journal Rheumatology, the study examined both men and women, measuring each subject’s arch in the standing position and how pressure was distributed on the foot while walking. To confirm and expand the findings, future studies will likely follow participants with different types of arches for a significant period of time, and will attempt to determine what effect interventions such as orthotics may have on the development of back pain. So why are women more affected by walking with flat feet than men? Marian Hannan, senior author of the study, and her team were not able to determine exact causes but suggested a few possible reasons. For example, pelvic bones in women are wider than and not as flexible as those in men, and women tend to rotate their hips and move their upper bodies more as they walk.

November 19, 2013

Research Round-Up: Back pain intensity may predict future pain and disability

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints: it’s believed that 70 percent of people will experience it in their lifetime. New research found that many of these patients will in turn suffer long-term chronic pain in the low back area. While this may seem obvious, having proven scientific findings at the ready will enable doctors to take immediate action for patients experiencing pain to prevent more problems down the road. In a recent study published by the American Pain Society’s Journal of Pain, it’s become clear that high pain intensity at onset, as well as a belief that back pain will last for a long time, can forecast future pain or disability within a five-year span. This study is the first to demonstrate this association over a long period of time and “confirms that pain relief is an important target, not only in the initial management of the symptoms, but for the potential contribution to long-term improvement.” It’s important for doctors to address both pain management and the patient’s beliefs early in the treatment process. The American Academy of Pain Management is candid in saying that there is no single medication or procedure to cure everything and

October 15, 2013

Text Neck and Other Pain from Digital Devices

You may be familiar with the term “Tennis Elbow,” but have you ever heard of ailments like “Blackberry Thumb” or “Text Neck”? Digital devices no doubt improve our ability to communicate and pass information, but there are also some negative effects to be wary of. Text Neck, as it is commonly referred to, is one of the most recent tech-related maladies to gain notoriety. It refers to the headaches, arm, shoulder, and neck pains that occur when one spends too much time in the common posture for using cell phones, tablets and e-readers. To show just how prevalent this term is becoming, an initial Google search for Text Neck yielded about 123 million results, whereas only hours later, the number increased to about 126 million results! In addition to headaches and joint pain, people may also experience extreme fatigue and muscle spasms as a result of improper posture while using these devices. Physicians across the nation are seeing these effects manifest in people who are much younger than one might expect a person suffering from joint or neck pain to be. Scott Bautch, a spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association, notes that “by age 14 approximately 7% of teens are having daily symptoms of back pain,

August 13, 2013

How to Strengthen Your Back with Pilates

How to Strengthen Your Back with Pilates: Pilates is one of the best exercises around for improving back pain and posture. Firstly, the exercises strongly emphasize a focus on spinal and pelvic alignment. Additionally, they target core muscles in the body that can work together to alleviate back pain and provide strength to effectively create a “brace” for preventing future back pain. The essential components of Pilates are concentration, control, centering of the body, efficiency of movement, precision, and breathing. It’s pretty easy to see how, if done properly, all of these can come together to have a positive impact for your spinal health. Here are a few specific exercises to strengthen your back with Pilates: Swimming (strength) The swimming exercise is great for strengthening your back, gluteus and shoulders at any level of proficiency. Lie face down with your arms and legs extended as far out as possible. Pull your belly button in so it is not pressing against the floor; this will help prepare your core muscles. Lift your right arm, left leg and head at the same time and hold for two, twelve second intervals. Repeat with the left arm and right leg. Complete four repetitions on each

July 30, 2013

Is Sleeping in Hammocks Bad for Your Back?

During the summer it can be quite a joy to simply sit back and relax in a hammock. You can read a book, enjoy the scenery, or even take a nap. As it turns out, sleeping in a hammock can actually help you fall asleep faster and give you “better” rest, eliminating tossing and turning. Back pain often leads to discomfort, which can disrupt your sleep cycle and even prevent you from getting to sleep at all. It is important to keep in mind that a strong, supportive hammock that is properly hung is the best option for easy relaxation. Flimsy or smaller versions can lead to lower back pain, so it’s best to avoid those at all costs. Hammocks were first invented for sleeping in Central and South America, and later introduced to Europeans by Christopher Columbus, who brought several back from his voyages to the New World. As early as 1600, the British Royal Navy adopted them for use on ships, as the movement provided superior comfort for their sailors and prevented them from being thrown to the deck if waves tossed the ship. Hammocks can actually help us fall asleep faster and encourage a deeper, more fulfilling

July 11, 2013

Scoliosis: When is Surgery Required?

Patients frequently come into my practice with the notion that surgery is the best cure to their scoliosis pain. How do you know that’s the best course of action? Well, that’s my job. Surgical decision making for scoliosis is multi-factorial, and we assess many different parameters in coming to the right decision for each patient. The Scoliosis Research Society estimates that approximately 1 in 40, or 7 million people are affected by scoliosis in the United States alone, making it an extremely prevalent condition. Unfortunately it most often develops in children, particularly female adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15. To properly cure scoliosis, the treatment must match the source of the problem. Here are some of the main factors I consider when discussing if surgery is right for a patient with scoliosis: Degree: How large is the curve measurement? Spinal Maturity: Is the spine still growing? Location: Do you have a thoracic (upper spine) curve, a thoracolumbar (middle spine) curve or lumbar (lower spine) curve? Progression: Is the curve likely to worsen? Is the curve painful? What is your age and medical condition? Has there been prior surgery? Do you have osteoporosis? My recommendation for surgery is based

April 2, 2013