There is no single cause of back pain, although many clinicians
approach problems from a "mechanical" perspective
(i.e., the spine or muscles around the spine aren't functioning
properly, which causes the pain). However, evidence suggests
that a number of factors, including exercise, may be involved
in the development of low back pain (LBP).
a study designed to evaluate the short-term risk factors for
new episodes of LBP, more than 2,500 adults (18-75 years old)
completed a survey that gathered data on height, weight, nonoccupational
physical activities (i.e., cycling, gardening, walking, etc.)
and overall health.
All subjects were free of current back pain; new episodes
of LBP were documented in the 12 months following the survey.
Self-reported poor general health (men and women) and being
overweight (women only) proved to be the strongest predictors
of low back pain. Overall, 34% of men and 37% of women reported
new episodes of low back pain during the study period.
And the moral to this story? Good health is more than just
"fixing something when itıs broken"; itıs more than
a single workout or a nutritious meal. If youıre interested
in a comprehensive approach to health and wellness, make an
appointment with a doctor of chiropractic.
- Croft PR, Papageorgiou AC, Thomas E, et al. Short-term physical
risk factors for new episodes of low back pain. Spine,
August 1, 1999: Vol. 24, No. 15, pp1556-1561.