Understanding Lower Back Pain: A Comprehensive Guide

Jokes apart, Low Back Pain (LBP) isn’t a laughing matter — anymore. Several studies reveal that LBP impacts an estimated 540 million people worldwide, and was the reason for about 60 million disability-adjusted life-years in 2015. What’s more, it’s seen that the largest increase in cases of LBP are occurring in low and middle-income countries. Recent studies further reveal that Americans spend at least $50 billion in health care costs annually on LBP and if lost wages and decreased productivity are factored in, the cost of LBP crosses $100 billion.

Unfortunately, there isn’t any good news yet as experts estimate that over 80% of the world’s population will experience LBP at some point of time in their lives. All this brings us to the question: what causes LBP, and more importantly, are there ways to manage or prevent it?

Causes of Low Back Pain

The human back is a complex structure, one that’s made of multiple bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles. Given this complexity it’s natural that LBP will stem from problems in these areas.

While soft-tissue injuries are often the cause of LBP, sprains and strains caused by sports and accidents can be the reasons for acute back pain. It is also seen that deterioration of the rubbery discs between the vertebrae in the lower back can cause discomfort in the back, neck, arms, and legs. Apart from these, some patients suffering from medical conditions such as hernia and tumors also report unbearable back pain.

Managing Low Back Pain

The primary goal of pain management is to provide back pain relief, which, in turn,  facilitates active participation in physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Ideally, LBP management should also help prevent further injury, not to mention help maintain the ability to function at work and at home.

But before we get into the different ways to manage back pain, it’s important to note that according to a report published by The Lancet the current use of X-rays, scans, opioids, injections, and surgery to investigate and treat the condition is usually futile, unnecessary — and in some cases, even harmful.

The safer and more effective way to manage LBP is to opt for non-invasive methods. The psychological benefit of non-invasive pain management is humungous as it provides a sense of normalcy without disrupting daily routine.

Non-Invasive Ways to Manage Low Back Pain

Non-invasive methods of dealing with LBP are most preferred as they do not hinder with your work routine. You can continue to work while being treated for back pain and also learn how to prevent back injuries in the future. This method is favored by many as it also improves flexibility and range of motion.

Going under the knife is one of the most dreaded fears for many (after non-availability of Wi-Fi, of course) and knowing that there are other ways of dealing with back pain comes as a huge relief. There are several non-invasive ways and the simplest and most common include using pain relievers, heat or ice packs, and relaxation techniques. If you are willing to indulge in a little physical therapy, then there are back exercises, therapeutic soft tissue release and manual manipulation to help provide the much-needed relief.

While the above mentioned ways to manage LBP are effective, orthopedic support or back support aids are known to be more popular as well.

Importance of Orthopedic Supports in Low Back Pain Management

Orthopedic support such as a simple lumbar support device, or back brace, is one of the most effective non-invasive options to treat LBP. Lumbar support can help improve function and reduce LBP even among those suffering from subacute back pain (pain that is past the acute stage).

Orthopedic support equipment plays a key role in managing LBP in day-to-day life and is preferred over other non-invasive ways of dealing with the pain, thanks to the number of benefits it offers. Users of orthopedic back support/back braces for lower back pain talk of posture improvement and optimum compression and support. These benefits are in addition to ease of use and availability. That said, it is also extremely important to use the right kind of back support – one that suits your age, body posture, kind of back pain, and the level of flexibility you need.

The Right Back Support Helps You Bounce Back

It is important to identify and use orthopedic back brace that is well-designed, comfortable, and produces results for you. Choosing the wrong kind or poor quality can further aggravate the problem and cause serious health issues.

Vissco specializes in orthopedic braces and mobility aids for every kind of back problem — post accident trauma, age-related, obesity induced, or generic LBP. With over 50 years of experience and a vast range of orthopedic supports Vissco is the one-stop solution for all back-related problems.