What is Chronic Back Pain? · What is Chronic Back Pain? L o ng last ing . To be termed chronic,...

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What is Chronic Back Pain? Long lasting. To be termed chronic, back pain usually has been present for three months at a time. Recurring. Even after resolution of one long episode of back pain, pain tends to return. However, the recurrence is highly variable among people and unpredictable. Back pain will affect up to 90% of Americans at some point in their lifetime. Up to 50% will have more than one episode. Low back pain is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost days at work, for people under 45. Back pain is one of the most common reasons to visit a doctor's office or a hospital's emergency department. For 90% of people, even those with nerve root irritation, their symptoms will improve within two months no matter what treatment is used, even if no treatment is given. Statistics: Your back pain persists beyond a few days Your back pain awakens you at night Your have difficulty controlling your bowels or bladder You have a fever, chills, sweats, or other signs of infection You experience any other unusual symptoms Pain is worse when you cough or sneeze See your Doctor when: Common Myth: Bed rest is the best cure for back pain. Fact: While rest is beneficial, staying in bed for 1 or 2 days will do more harm than good. Light, low impact exercise is the best relief.

Transcript of What is Chronic Back Pain? · What is Chronic Back Pain? L o ng last ing . To be termed chronic,...

Page 1: What is Chronic Back Pain? · What is Chronic Back Pain? L o ng last ing . To be termed chronic, back pain usually has been present for three months at a time. R e c u r r i ng .

What is Chronic Back Pain?Long lasting. To be termed chronic, back pain usually has been presentfor three months at a time. Recurring. Even after resolution of one long episode of back pain, pain tends toreturn. However, the recurrence is highly variable among people and unpredictable.

Back pain will affect up to 90% ofAmericans at some point in theirlifetime. Up to 50% will have more thanone episode. Low back pain is second only tothe common cold as a cause oflost days at work, for peopleunder 45. Back pain is one of the mostcommon reasons to visit adoctor's office or a hospital'semergency department. For 90% of people, even thosewith nerve root irritation, theirsymptoms will improve withintwo months no matter whattreatment is used, even if notreatment is given.

Statistics:

Your back pain persists beyond a few daysYour back pain awakens you at night Your have difficulty controlling yourbowels or bladder You have a fever, chills, sweats, or othersigns of infection You experience any other unusualsymptoms Pain is worse when you cough or sneeze

See your Doctor when:

Common Myth: Bed rest is the best cure for back pain. Fact: While rest is beneficial, staying in bed for 1 or 2 days will domore harm than good. Light, low impact exercise is the best relief.