Better Spine Health
In this blog series, I’m going to tailor my discussion to a lifestyle change for increased physical activity which leads to better spine health.
Information presented here will be from Rehabilitation of the Spine, 3rd edition by Craig Liebenson.
A Modern Inactivity Crisis
A modern inactivity crisis is what we in the United States are living into as a society. Life span is greater than health span, and the gap is widening. As the population ages, we aren’t living better. In fact our years lived with disability (YLD) is increasing. Detrimental lifestyle related factors such as smoking, drinking, and overeating, have been shown to be associated with 10 to 14 years of YLD. Along with these lifestyle factors, physical inactivity is one of the most important lifestyle factors affecting health. Alarmingly, 23% of adults, and 81% of adolescents (aged 11-17 years) around the world don’t meet the World Health Organization (WHO) global recommendations on physical activity (PA) for health. Physical inactivity is considered the fourth leading cause of global mortality (Lancet 2012)
Now what can YOU do about this crisis. First, believe YOU CAN do something about improving your lifestyle! And second, start moving!
Low Back Pain
Acute low back pain (LBP) affects most if not all of the population at some time. One study found that by the age of 30, nearly one half of the population will have experienced a significant episode of LBP. The lifetime prevalence rate (chances of having LBP in one’s lifetime) has been estimated at 70%. Its noted that LBP causes more global disability than any other condition.
Acute LBP typically runs a course of symptoms to no symptoms to resumption of activity. My greater concern is chronic LBP which can develop after a single episode or more likely multiple episodes of LBP. I have seen this issue of chronicity weaken ones resolve and inhibit ones ability to have a normal active lifestyle.
Stay tuned!