This Saturday is off to a slow start.
Your husband woke up with back pain again and you are insisting that he try to get some extra rest. You have actually been able to get him an appointment with the chiropractor early this afternoon, and you are hopeful that he will be able to get some relief for the weekend at least. Next week he has a previously scheduled session with a spinal disorder expert and the goal is to come up with a plan for a long term solution. Previous spinal disorder treatments have provided some temporary relief, but it is becoming increasingly apparent that he might have to schedule a back surgery. You understand that not all spinal disorders are the same, but you are more than hopeful that this doctor next weekend can explain the surgery, the rehabilitation, and the prognosis for a pain free future.
Spinal Disorders Can Limit Your Productivity, Enjoyment of Life
The latest research indicates that as many as 31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time. This is a problem that can lead to lost work, lower productivity, and limited enjoyment of free time. And while spinal disorders can differ in their frequency and their severity, there are many times when doctors, both traditional and chiropractic, can help their patients find a way back to a healthier and more active life.
Spinal disorders at work are problematic because there are many careers where you need to be active to be part of the team. From construction crews to sales jobs that require travel, if you are in discomfort because of your back you simply may not be able to perform to the highest level. This problem, of course, can lead to missed works, smaller paychecks, and, in some cases, job loss.
Working with an occupational therapist can provide some solutions to the patients with less severe back pain, but many times the pain is so severe that it requires more extensive treatment plans.
Back pain at home can limit you from not only chores that need to be completed, but also fun times with your children or spouse. Being stuck in bed on a Saturday morning because of your back pain limits the activity that you can be involved in and can even, in some cases, lead to depression and other mental health problems.
In the future, spinal disorders can become increasingly debilitating as sufferers age. As an added fear, there are more and more concerns about people who rely on pain medications. As a nation that is showing increasing number of problems with opioid addiction, there are justified fears that chronic pain sufferers put themselves at risk when they rely on medication as a solution to pain.
As many as 50% of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. In fact, experts estimate that as much as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in their lives. Overall, back pain is the second most common reason for doctor’s office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Finding solutions to back pain can help the nation as a while be more productive, but also help individuals live a more enjoyable life.
Is Your Back Pain a Result of an Injury at Work?
A 2017 Statista survey indicates that as many as 26% of U.S. adults with back problems blamed physical labor. When this physical labor is part of a career, there are often workers compensation plans in place that can help pay for treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation.
Outside of work, another 29% of people with back pain believed stress was the cause of their pain, while 26% blamed weak muscles or a lack of exercise. No matter what the origin of this pain is, it is important to make sure that you find out what solutions and options are available to you. One option that some people consider is yoga. In fact, as many as 36.7 million people currently participate in yoga, and some of these people are looking for solutions to chronic pain, including back pain. Finding your best solution can help you get back to early morning Saturday activities and work plans.