| #ffffff;" /> | | | | Quite true! Staying fit and maintaining core strength are |
| Back pain is very common. 8 out 10 people will | | | | great preventatives for back pain. |
| experience back pain at some point in their lives. | | | | Chiropractic adjustments can relieve back pain. |
| Possibly, because back pain is such a universal | | | | Also true! Physicians support spinal manipulation or |
| experience, many fictions as well as facts are | | | | massage therapy to relieve back pain. |
| available on the subject. In this article, we will examine | | | | Acupuncture relieves back pain. |
| fiction and fact. Then we’ll talk about some | | | | Again, true! Physicians support acupuncture therapy |
| proven cures. | | | | for back pain. Yoga and autogenic relaxation |
| Fictions | | | | techniques are also recommended. |
| Slouching is bad for your back. | | | | Now that we’ve dispelled some myths and |
| Actually, slouching is no worse than sitting straight. If | | | | pointed out some facts, what are some of the top |
| you do either one for too long a time, it can strain your | | | | methods available to relieve back pain? |
| back. | | | | As master of the obvious, I can tell you that |
| Try standing frequently. Take breaks from sitting to | | | | preventative measures such as maintaining a healthy |
| move around. | | | | weight and exercising regularly to maintain your core |
| Exercise is bad for back pain. | | | | strength are key steps you can take to avert the |
| Whopper! Exercise is the best prevention and | | | | problem of back pain entirely. |
| exercising through your back pain generally results in a | | | | Having said that, if you are struck with back pain I |
| quicker recovery. | | | | recommend the following: |
| Heavy lifting hurts your back. | | | | First and foremost, assess your back pain and decide |
| Not true! It isn’t how much you lift but how you | | | | if it requires a doctor’s attention or is it |
| lift it. Let your legs do the work and don’t twist | | | | something you feel you can handle on your own. |
| or bend your back as you lift. | | | | Second, if you have decided on self-help, you have a |
| Bed rest is the best cure for back pain. | | | | limited number of techniques available to you and I |
| So not true! Lying in bed can actually make the pain | | | | recommend them in the following order of personal |
| worse. | | | | preference: |
| An extremely firm mattress is good for your back. | | | | * Yoga – There are at least a dozen asanas |
| Fiction! Studies have shown that firmer mattresses | | | | (postures/exercises) recommended for back pain and |
| lead to greater incidences of back pain. | | | | many of them are described on various websites. |
| Thin people don’t suffer back pain. | | | | * Autogenic relaxation – Especially good if you |
| False! 8 of 10 people will suffer back pain. Even though | | | | attribute your back pain to tension and/or stress. |
| our obesity problem is growing (no pun intended) 8 of | | | | These relaxation techniques can be ferreted out on |
| ten people are not obese! | | | | the web as well. |
| Back pain is always the result of an injury. | | | | Finally, follow through! Don’t expect to recover |
| Again, this is fiction. Back pain can be caused by | | | | overnight. Follow the regimen you choose until you |
| disease, disc degeneration or genetic conditions. | | | | achieve results or you are certain the technique you |
| Mattress firmness is best decided by sleep habits. | | | | chose is not working. If one technique doesn’t |
| Facts | | | | work for you, try the other. |
| Overweight people are at greater risk for back pain. | | | | |