Back Problems Are Common
Back pain is a major cause of ill health and absence from work. One in five of us will suffer back pain severe enough to take time off work at some point in our lives. One in three will receive treatment ranging from medication to some form of physical therapy.
Common Causes
Back pain can be caused by accidents, sporting injuries, lifting heavy loads or even just by poor posture. Damage can also be caused by degenerative disease, by malformation of the bones or simply by growing old. It should also be said that some back pain can be the result of other disease conditions, for example kidney illness or pelvic disease.
Doctors try to diagnose the pain anatomically as a skeletal, muscular or nerve problem. Back problems can be acute and intense or chronic and accompanied by a lower level pain or discomfort. In terms of treatment, the mainstay of Western medicine will be drugs, physiotherapy or surgery, or combinations of these.
Difficulty of Diagnosis
The back is highly complex, and the origin and cause of pain may not be fully understood. It can be very difficult to locate the exact source of pain. Some studies estimate that 85% of patients with back pain do not receive a specific diagnosis for the cause of their pain. Without a specific diagnosis, the treatment plan can be a hit or miss process.
Complementary Approaches
As the precise source of back pain is sometimes unknown, prescribed treatments may or may not be helpful. Complementary approaches can supplement traditional treatment methods or can be used as an alternative to them. It is perfectly valid to explore complementary approaches, particularly if these approaches to pain relief cause no harm, have no side effects, and have increasing anecdotal and scientific evidence to support them. Treatment techniques such as bio magnetic therapy and acupuncture can contribute towards a successful therapeutic outcome. Our advice is to try the complementary approach although we strongly advise you to consult with your doctor on any medical condition you may have, in this way you will have all angles covered.