Back pain is a strange, modern problem. Almost everyone will at some point experience some back pain, and for many, it can become a debilitating limitation and annoyance.
I’ve experienced my share of back problems, which seemed to have been caused or exacerbated by bad movement and over-training at the gym (under the guidance of well-meaning trainers!) For a while, I even experienced a strange problem in my feet that was caused by a compressed disk in the lower back.
For a while, my back problems were plaguing me. Nowadays, I never think about my back because it’s not bothering me. What changed?
The main thing that I discovered about back pain is that most treatments are useless at best, and counterproductive at worst. I do not trust chiropractors, osteopaths, doctors, personal trainers, massage therapists, and most other health practitioners when it comes to back pain. Physical therapists may offer some useful guidance, but I believe that in most cases, they are not necessary.
What I’ve discovered is that the main thing that helps back pain is time. Time and the avoidance of those activities that may have caused your pain in the first place (sitting or standing for long periods, over-training, etc.). If you have money to throw away, you may consult a series of specialists, waste thousands of dollars, but in the end, the main thing that will help you is time.
This is my conclusion, and it may not apply to everyone. But science seems to be supporting it.
According to a review study published in American Family Physician:
- Imaging with x-rays, CTs, or MRIs is not warranted unless there are red flags.
- Bedrest should be avoided.
- Adding chiropractic techniques to established medical treatments does not improve outcomes.
- Acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and muscle relaxants are somewhat useful.
- Opioids are strongly discouraged. “Opioids are commonly prescribed for patients with severe acute low back pain; however, there is little evidence of benefit.” They cite three studies, and they point out the risks associated with opioids.
- Physical therapy, ice, and heat treatments are supported by evidence.
- No substantial benefit has been shown with oral steroids, acupuncture, massage, traction, lumbar supports, or regular exercise programs.
Of course, I’ll probably get a torrent of emails from health practitioners who swear that they are helping people with their method. But again, my own experience showed me that all you get from these practices is temporary relief. What matters is letting time do its thing, take care of yourself, stay moderately active, avoid bad posture, and hope for the best.
The worst places to visit would be chiropractic offices that advertise back pain solutions or treatments, or so-called “pack pain centers” with big ads in the newspapers or even along the highway. Those places are cash machines designed to suck every penny out of you, while you wait to feel better.
Frederic
Your thoughts? (Let the hate mail begin…)
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Frederic loves to relentlessly debunk nutritional myths. He advocates a low-fat, plant-based diet and has had over 10 years of experience with raw vegan diets. He lives in Montreal, Canada.
I have experienced the same as what you talked about. Thanks
I was incapacitated by lower back pain, and I went to my chiropractor. He showed me how my buttock and hamstring muscles were so tight that they threw my back out. Also the calf muscles. He worked on me loosening the muscles, and after a treatment I was fine. He showed me what to do to keep the muscles in proper form, and I haven’t had the problem since. Good posture, exercising correctly, and stretching regularly are the keys for me to back health. I also do the “Thompson Maneuver,” and the stretches from the book “Healthy Running Step by Step” by a therapist to Olympic athletes, Robert Forster. Stretching needs to be done regularly, some daily, to stay in shape, and have functional fitness.
I have gotten temporary relief from back pain from Chiropractors but time is the real remedy for me also. Best to let someone else buy the fancy cars, boats and houses for the Dr’s and save your money for you own needs.
It is unfortunate that you have been to the wrong offices for treatment of back pain. Please come to our clinic in BC to see if you can be helped. The spine is a very complex biomechanical organ requiring specific treatment and problems in one area can produce symptoms in distant areas. After 42 years and 10,000 patients I’ve learned a little.
Thanks Frederic, we all pray for a short-cut but the truth is always sound!
Now all I need is patients…
I have had the most success with my back pain by stretching.
I had some back pain, but it was not due to anything mechanical, It was due to pesticides. I couldn’t bend, or straighten, or move my back. Of course the doctor said it couldn’t have been from the bug spray, which incidentally is supposed to paralyze and destroy the nervous system of the bugs. I was not given medication, and I was told to take it easy. Finally the only thing that cured the problem was two massages in the spinal area.
The information in the book “Back Mechanic” by Stuart McGill helped me.
Easy for someone to say if they have a great spine and a symmetrical structure.
I have suffered Scoliosis and been in Chiro offices since I was like 3 years old just so I can function somewhat and to keep some flexibility.
Mechanical issues affect how well the body functions. The best body work to correct these mechanical issues is a new and exciting bodywork created by a genius named Dr. Dean Howell. I do not work for him. I tell people for them to get help, because back issues can destroy your life and health.
http://www.drdeanhowell.com
The more symmetrical the body, the better it functions and the more attractive it is. Period! Your skull and your teeth and shape of your teeth is the most important to be as symmetrical as possible.
http://www.areyoucrooked.com Paul
Hate mail? This is one of your best articles yet! And very insightful and most probably very true. Thanks.
I severely reduced back pain, sciatica and joint pain all over my body by cutting way back on the consumption of fat calories, pushing it down to 10-15%. I have suggested and watched this work on other people as well, including doctors! My chronic back and joint pain, not to mention crushing sciatica, are all basically occasional twinges bringing back memories of how bad it was.