MDNews - Greater Kansas

++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PHYSICAL THERAPY +++ +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + BACK PAIN UPDATE By Cody Barnett, P.T. IF YOU'VE EVER READ a research study on low back pain, the same old data is always cited: "Eighty per- cent of the human race will experience back or neck pain in their lifetime." In a very comprehensive study, researchers analyzed two recent reports in order to update data regarding back pain prevalence and treatment visits. They reviewed the results of two prominent surveys to determine how prevalent back pain is in the United States and how that prevalence relates to doctor visits. The results showed that an astonishing 54 million people in America are afflicted with back pain. The surveys used in this review were the 2002 editions of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS). The NHIS survey received responses from 31,044 adults. The results showed that 26.4% of respondents suffered from low back pain — the most frequently experienced type of pain. It's Still a Mid-40s Problem Back pain was most commonly reported in adults over age 45. Women 14 | Greater Kansas MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM accounted for slightly more of those adults than did men. The prevalence of back pain declined with higher levels of education: 32% of respondents who had less than a high school diploma reported they were currently experiencing back pain in comparison to 22% of those with a bachelor's degree or higher. Physician Office Visits for Back Pain Remain Constant The survey respondents included 3,000 randomly selected physicians who provided information about 30 patient visits throughout a one-week period. NAMCS data suggested that the propor- tion of all physician visits attributable to low back pain has changed little since the early 1990s. Help Is Available Additional research indicates that patients with chronic low back pain expe- rience muscular atrophy of the multifidi and transverse abdominis muscles — two key back-stabilization muscle groups. It is hypothesized that these muscles act as the body's own "natural back belt," and with atrophy comes dysfunctional movement and potentially harmful forces placed on the spine by the larger erector spinae muscles. Orthopedic physical therapists special- ize in exercise regimens that target these two key muscle groups. Clinically, we find that emphasizing these muscle groups, in combination with patient education on correct body mechanics, can be extremely helpful in improving and managing back pain. Cody Barnett, P.T., is in private practice in Wichita, KS. He specializes in the treatment of orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries with a special emphasis in lower-body biomechanics, pediatric and adult sports injuries, and neck and back pain. He may be reached at (316) 558-8808 or www.BodyworxPhysicalTherapy.net. ■ References: Deyo, RA, et al. Back Pain Prevalence and Visit Rates: Estimates from U.S. National Surveys, 2002. Spine, 2006 Nov. 1; 31(23):2724-7 Koumantakis, GA, et al. Trunk Muscle Stabilization Training Plus General Exercise Versus General Exercise Only: Randomized Controlled Trial of Patients With Recurrent Low Back Pain. Phys Ther. 2005; 85:209-225

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