The importance of exercise to back pain recovery has also been explored by other researchers. A previous study found that patients with low back pain who remain active fared better than those who were less active. Patients who remained active recovered faster and felt less depressed than patients who were advised to adjust their activity level based on their pain. Researchers suggest that patients with low-back pain remain active when possible, and consult with a doctor to discuss ways to stay active even with back pain.
Another team of researchers analyzed more than 20 studies testing various methods of back pain prevention such as ergonomic education, stress management, exercise, and shoe inserts, and found that exercise appears to be the best way to prevent back pain. Of the methods tested, only exercise was found to consistently produce substantial back pain relief.
References:
- Guo HR, et al. Back pain pravalence in the US industry and estimates of lost workdays. American Journal of Public Health 1999; 89(7): 1029–1035.
- Du Bois, M and Donceel P. Guiding low back claimants to work: a randomized controlled trial. Spine 2012; 37(17): 1425–1431.
- Olaya-Contreras, Patricia. “ Biopsychosocial analyses of acute and chronic pain, especially in the spine: The effect of distress on pain intensity and disability.” Institute of Clinical Sciences at the Sahlgrenska Academy University of Gothenburg. 2011. http://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/2077/24625/1/gupea_2077_24625_1.pdf
- Bigos S, Holland J, Holland C, Webster J, Battie, Malmgren J. High-quality controlled trials on preventing episodes of back problems: systematic literature review in working-age adults. The Spine Journal 2009; 9: 147-168.
Written by: Megan Churchwell on August 27, 2012.on March 12, 2013. originally seen on http://www.chironexus.net/2012/08/staying-active-helps-back-pain-patients-return-to-work-sooner/