The Problem Of Low Back Pain

Low back pain is the second reason that Americans see their doctor, second only to colds and flu.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the leading causes of disability and work absence globally, affecting not just the individual, but also extending to families, communities and society at large. Whilst the prevalence of LBP is high, with over 70 percent of people experiencing some LBP at some point during their lives, most will resolve within a few months (Campbell et al, 2013). Problems arise when pain persists beyond the expected period of healing or when it exceeds 12 weeks in duration. An estimated 40 percent of people who present with acute LBP continue to report symptoms after 3 months and

There are many treatments for low back pain which do not require medication, including exercise or acupuncture.

Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition worldwide; approximately 50-80% of adults suffer from LBP at least once during their lives [1, 2]. LBP represents a major health problem because of its prevalence, high probability of recurrence, consequences, and healthcare cost [3-6]. LBP has physical, psychological, and economic impacts on individuals. Furthermore, LBP is still the primary cause of absenteeism and disability in every industrialized society [226].

Method: Eleven subjects ranging in age from 18 - 65 were selected based on diagnosis of leg and low back pain. Those who participated in this study reported pain no longer than six months and no less than one month. These patients were screened using a standardized lumbar spine evaluation. Patients AROM, flexibility, medical history, strength, gait, neurology, and soft tissue were also evaluated and measured prior to testing. The test was designed using an A-B-A design where A is the baseline condition and B was intervention with the use of the PBWS. The

Low back pain has been a major activity limitation for many people below the age of 45 years in the United States (Andersson, 1999). According to a study conducted in the U.S. in 1997, there are 54 percent patients that report back pain and using complementary therapy (Wolsko et al., 2003). Another survey conducted in 2002 indicated that while back pain led to most frequent patient visits to acupuncturists across U.S (Cherkin et al., 2002). Western countries still experience many case of chronic low back pain which can be attributable to high medical expenses, decline in productivity, as well as disability. There still exists a variety of standard treatments although some have not been cleared as affective. Acupuncture is a contemporary as well as alternative treatment strategy for patients wilt low back pains although there are questions from previous systematic reviews that were inconclusive on the results of acupuncture treatment strategy for low back pain. These statistics indicate a high level of public concern hence strengthening the relevance for asking whether acupuncture gives positive results in the treatment of back pain. Therefore this research seeks to gain evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the positive results of acupuncture in treatment of low back pain.

Low back pain is a highly prevalent socioeconomic health issue in the world we live in today and one of the top causes of disability - affecting work performance and the overall quality of life for many. The 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study estimated that out of 289 health conditions, low back pain ranked number one in terms of disability (YLDs - Years Lived with Disability), and sixth in terms of overall burden (DALYs - Disability-Adjusted Life Years) (Lancet, 2012). It is estimated that 60% to 70% of the industrialized population will experience non-specific (most common type) low back pain in their lifetimes with a one-year prevalence of 15% to 45%, adults occurring 5% per year (Taimela, Kujala, Salminen, Viljanen, 1997, 1132-1136). Children and adolescents have a lower prevalence rate than adults, but is rapidly on the rise (Balague, Troussier, Salminen, 1999, 429-438).

Chronic lower back pain is on the rise in not only America, but is on the rise in the world. According to a study by the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases in 2010, approximately one in ten people suffer from lower back pain, which makes lower back pain the leading cause of disability in the world (http://ard.bmj.com/content/early/2014/02/14/annrheumdis-2013-204428). This rate is on the rise and should be extremely alarming as common activities, including working a desk job, can contribute to chronic lower back pain. While there are many different methods to treat chronic lower back pain, including physical therapy, therapeutic

Chronic low back pain has been shown to have a significant impact on individuals, their families, professional life, and communities. It is one of the most common health problems causing suffering and disability, and it is a leading cause of physical inactivity. In addition to the physical impairments and professional detriments, chronic low back pain increases the financial burden to the healthcare system by augmenting medical treatment costs. Muscle strengthening activity, on the other side, has been used clinically to treat low back pain. However, there is an inconclusive data regarding the preventative effect of muscle strengthening activity on low back pain. Thus, we wanted to see if being engaged in muscle strengthening activity reduces

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints in the United States and around the world. Back pain affects 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives.1 One quarter of the US adult population describes having low back pain at least one day over a three month period; 7.6% of the population reported severe acute low back pain in a one year period. 2 In a survey conducted by the National Institute of Health Statistics, 28.4% population reported low back pain as the leading source of pain. 3

After review of the clinical information provided by NY Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University, the Medical Director has denied your admission to NY Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University. It was determined that the clinical information did not justify an inpatient stay. Acute inpatient hospitalization was not medically necessary. Medicare admit diagnosis hematemesis and Abdominal pain with past medical history of chronic low back pain related to Lumbar-5 disc bulge on frequent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, gastroesophageal reflux disease, prior gastritis, iron deficiency anemia. You are a 59 year old female who presented to the emergency room with a complaint of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting for 3 days prior to your hospital admission. You reported diffuse

The single leading cause of disability worldwide is low back pain (LBP) (Salomon et al., 2013). In the U.S, approximately 80 percent of adults experience back pain sometime in their life, with a total health care expenditure of 90.7 billion in 1998 (Luo, Pietrobon, Sun, Liu, & Hey, 2004). LBP is the second most frequent systematic reason for visits to primary healthcare providers (Hart, Deyo, Cherkin, 1995) and is usually recurrent with exacerbations that tend to increase in severity. The total costs of LBP in the United States exceed $100 billion per year (Katz, 2006).

Low back pain is globally one of the most prevalent health conditions and the second most common cause of referring to health professionals (Dehghan & Farahbod, 2014). The lifetime incidence of having an episode of lower back pain ranges from sixty to ninety percent, with thirty percent of this population developing a chronic lower back pain condition (Ladeira, Samuel Cheng, & Hill, 2015). The costs of treating low back pain are extremely high worldwide and are increasing rapidly, costing the Australian economy $1 billion AUD per year (Walker, Muller, & Grant, 2003). Thus, given the prevalence and socioeconomic consequences of low back pain it is imperative that the most efficient, effective

Research indicates that active exercise programs are essential in promoting early recovery to allow the patient to resume active physical life. Further, to resolve the symptoms of sciatica, doctors may administer epidural corticosteroid injections. As such, a patient-focused strategy involving clinical expertise and best evidence would be helpful in managing the low back pain.

Another great source for information on CLBP (Chronic Low Back Pain) is an article from the Journal of Physical Therapy Science, “Core Strength Training for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain” by Chang, Wen-Dien