Sports Medicine
A Crucial Period
Good Pain, Bad Pain
On Your Knees
Secondary Injuries
Imaging Technology
What's Sciatica?
The Female Athlete
Putting Your Feet First
Itis Schmitis
Too Much, Too Soon
Under the Influence
Twisted
What's Goin' On?
Think Inches, Not Pounds
Preventing Vaginitis
That Painful Pull
Athlete's Heart
Exercise & Arthritis
Chilled to the Bone
Measuring Body Fat
Exercise and Your Breasts
Choosing a Sports Doctor
Lean on Me (Shoulder)
Exercise & Anemia
Exercise Abuse
Pelvis Sighting
Hand Aid
It's All in the Wrist
Back in Action
Altitude Adjustment
Tennis Elbow, Anyone?
Exercising in the Heat
Agony of the Feet
Restless Legs
Night Time Cramps
Birth Control Concerns
No Periods, No Babies?
Post Partum Prescription
Weight Loss Mystery
Undesirable Cooldown
To Brew Or Not To Brew
Fitness After Baby
Biking and Back Pain
Swimmer's Shoulder
A Hidden Athlete
Avoiding Osteoporosis
Drug Testing
Maximum Heart Rate
Headway Against Headaches
Torn Rotator Cuff
Fat Figures
SOS About PMS
Bloody Urine
Sag Story
Lackluster Leg
Bothersome Bulge
Gaining in Years
Taking It On the Shin
Aching Ankles
Hoop Help
Tender Toes
Meals For Muscle
Growing Pains
Hot Tips
High Altitude PMS
Personal Bests
Air Pollution
Ankle Blues
Heartbreak Heel
Yeast Relief



Back In Action

What to do about low back pain.

You reach over to pick up a magazine, open a door or pick up the baby. A twinge strikes your lower back. In minutes, the searing pain spreads and you're incapacitated. You wonder what you did to bring on such crippling pain.

Low back pain is a common complaint. Up to 70 percent of us will experience back problems during our lifetime. Some physicians believe back pain is an inevitable result of upright posture. It can strike suddenly, often when you're doing something routine, or it can be a chronic, low-grade pain that limits activity.

The underlying cause of both types of back pain is a breakdown of the normal biomechanics of the spine after months or even years of poor posture, inactivity, muscle weakness and improper lifting techniques. The spine and its supporting structures function together much like a Slinky or a snake.

A strong, balanced and flexible back is created and maintained by the synchronized effort of back, abdomen and trunk muscles, which stabilize pressure and counteract tension placed on the spine by outside forces. If an imbalance from muscle weakness or poor posture occurs, the chain does not function smoothly, resulting in uneven areas of wear, weakness and spasm.

An Ounce of Prevention

Back pain is one of those problems for which the proverbial ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Anyone who has battled a severe back spasm will tell you to do whatever it takes to avoid one. And after that first spasm, it's often a battle to prevent low back pain from becoming a chronic condition.

Most low back pain will respond to conservative treatment within one or two months. But that doesn't mean ignoring the problem and hoping it will go away. You may need to make substantial changes in your lifestyle and learn proper techniques for strengthening and stretching your back.

What causes all this low back pain?

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Table of Contents

Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
Shape Magazine



General Health
Nutrition
Exercise
Common Medical Problems
Dental Health
Emergency!
Infectious Disease
Sexual Health
Emotional Well-Being
Eating Disorders
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Environmental Health
Prevention


The information in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not providing medical or professional advice. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have or suspect you might have any health problems, you should consult a physician.


Copyright 2000 - Sports Doctor, Inc.