Recently I reached out to my patients to inquire about what their biggest health challenge is that they are currently facing during these unprecedented times. I have taken the time to review the answers with great care.
And here are two of the many responses I received all about back pain!
“Nick… How do you continue to try and stay fit when a long-standing, persistent back injury keeps recurring? It seems that during the course of physical therapy things are fine, but as soon as I stop, my problems return. I know the obvious answer is more physical therapy, but I feel like this only masks the problem. What can I do?
-John, Phoenix
“Because of lower back problems I have been unable to do any of my at-home exercises and have consequently put on weight over the past few months which I struggle to get off because of my thyroid problem.
I have a very healthy diet but really could do with some exercise. I’m sure the extra weight I carry isn’t helping my back problem. Any thoughts?”
-Frances, Glendale
Why Does My Back Pain Keep Occuirng?
…So, let me try and answer both of these similar questions which, in a roundabout way, I hear a lot of.
And I’ll start with John’s worry about why his back problem keeps happening.
I note that he mentions that physical therapy “masks” the problem… and I’d have to agree… to an extent… because it’s like this:
Physical therapy can never be a full-blown cure where you’re not going to suffer again.
(Ever).
Sure, it makes a HUGE difference to the quality of your life and can help you steer clear of pain and stiffness for significant periods…
It lowers the risk and gives you a better shot at avoiding things like early-onset arthritis, but it’s not going to be a cure.
It’s a bit like cleaning your teeth…
You do it twice per day and you even visit the dentist every six months to get them checked, but I bet you still get tooth pain every now and again, right?
And that’s because it’s just normal for mechanical things like teeth (and lower backs) to suffer everyday “wear and tear” as a consequence of “living”.
Now physical therapy, like the dentist, does a great job of keeping you on the right track- meaning less time in pain and more time without pain.
Do you struggle with chronic low back pain? Check out this low back pain at home program. Click here.
What can you do to improve back pain?
As in the lifestyle changes you make, the exercise classes you set up in your home, the type of exercise that you do or don’t do, right down to the length of time that you spend sitting (even how you do it).
John tells me he’s a teacher.
Now, even though he’s on summer break, I bet that his days are consumed with a lot of sitting at a desk or on important Zoom meeting calls, etc.
And that means chronic back pain is more likely because “backs” aren’t made to sit with weakened core muscles and poor posture.
(It’s true… sitting and repeated bending and lifting are the chief cause of most chronic back pain)
Do you need an MRI for your lower back pain? Listen to this podcast to find out.
The long-term solution?
Regular posture style exercises to INCREASE muscle control using pilates routines AND mixed with lots of yoga style exercises to make the muscles and joints more supple and flexible.
One thing I must point out is “exercising” (running, swimming, golfing, etc.) rarely makes the back stronger… and there’s a huge difference between exercising and doing exercises.
(Like pilates and yoga- which are exercises that get you in good enough shape to be able to “exercise”.)
Pilates-style exercises are also perfect for Frances (who asked the second question) and she is right… back pain is made worse by the amount of weight any lower back has to carry.
But the issue is the same…
Constant pressure added to the lower back makes it even MORE vital to do strength and control exercises to supper her back on a daily basis.
(The same as brushing your teeth…)
Physical therapy works perfectly to help get you out of pain and put the joints back into place…. Then it’s over to the long-term exercises to help keep it that way.
And is that a guarantee of staying 100% fixed?
Absolutely NOT!
But…
It gives you a great shot at being active and healthy for a LOT longer without resorting to pills or surgery, than had you chosen not to do exercises or take that trip to a physical therapist.
So, the answer to both of these questions is to be found in long-term commitment and discipline to doing the appropriate exercises.
Dr, Nick’s greatest passion is seeing his patients recover from injury and return to their activities that bring them joy.
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