Baby Got Back...

Ok well not that kind of back. 

I'm talking about your actual back.  Since I've been waking up feeling like an 80 year old lady every morning with back pain, I figured I'd write this post.  My official diagnosis is lateral listhesis which is a disc that has slipped out of line to the side of the spine.  In my case it's on my left side.  I have an amazing chiropractor who I may have to go see ahead of my scheduled appointment next week but I'm fascinated by the difference between medicine and chiropractic care.  When I first had these issues arise, I went to my medical doctor who told me to lie flat and not move and prescribed pain pills and muscle relaxers.  Don't get me wrong I am not faulting my doctor, she's certainly helped me with other medical issues over the years but when I sought the help of my chiropractor, she adjusted me, had an MRI taken, and told me to move as much as I could even if it was just a short walk.  Guess which one worked better.  I still have issues from time to time but certainly not like before.

Did you know that according to the American Chiropractic Association that
- One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year.

Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.

Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic—meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.

Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain—and that’s just for the more easily identified costs.

Experts estimate that as many as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in our lives.

Just in case you suffer from some sort of back pain like I do and if you don't think Chiropractic care is for you here are some tips recommended by the ACA to reduce back pain.

Tips to Prevent Back Pain

• Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
• Remain active—under the supervision of your doctor of chiropractic.
• Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.
• Warm up or stretch before exercise or other physical activities.
• Maintain proper posture.
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes
• Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
• Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.
• Quit smoking.  Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
• Work with your doctor of chiropractic to ensure that your computer workstation is ergonomically correct.