Sitting for a long time not only bloats the lower body, causing back pain, but also can lead to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Zheng Yunlong, an expert in spinal mechanics, pointed out six common incorrect sitting postures that are more likely to cause harm. Zheng said that many people cannot…

In this series, “Easy Exercises to Combat Chronic Pain,” occupational therapist Kevin Shelley focuses on common issues associated with chronic pain and simple and exercises to strengthen weak muscles and enhance joint mobility, with the goal of helping you become pain-free. Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints in the United States. Eight out…

The number of people experiencing lower back pain in Australia is set to increase by 50 percent by 2050, putting enormous pressure on the healthcare system. Researchers estimate there will be more than 800 million cases of low back pain globally in 2050, a 36 percent increase from 2020 with Australians particularly hard hit. A…

As more people use “3c” (computers, communication, and consumer) electronic products daily, the likelihood of developing shoulder, neck, and back pain, and even conditions that usually come with more advanced aging, such as hand numbness and buffalo or Dowager’s hump increases broadly across the population. Dr. Chan Chiu-lung, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner from Taiwan We…

Chronic back pain is a common ailment, often caused by misuse or overuse of the body in daily activities. It can be an aggravating and even disabling condition, however, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) holds a key to providing relief. Consider the following story: A man, aged 63, who is a driver for a living, drives…

The idea that “good” posture prevents back pain is well known—but a new review of the research calls for a second look as Australian experts say that habits and mental processes such as anxiety are more likely to have an impact than lousy posture. Prof. of musculoskeletal physiotherapy Peter O’Sullivan, prof. of physiotherapy, Leon Straker,…

When people have backaches bad enough to send them to the doctor, prompt physical therapy may be a wise choice, a new study suggests. Researchers found that when those patients had “early” PT — within a couple weeks of seeing a doctor — they were less likely to need other, often pricey, types of medical…

Millions of people are plagued by back problems. According to recent statistics, 80 percent of the American population will suffer back pain during their lifetime, especially as they age. Americans spend at least $50 billion annually on treating back pain. In 2017, back pain was the main cause of disability worldwide and was the leading reason…

Lower back pain is no small matter. In some cases, it’s a sign of poor posture, and a condition that can lead to the deterioration of the spine. Lumbar spondylolisthesis is a disorder where a vertebra bone on the spine can slip onto the vertebra below it. Patients who start out with some lower back…

What’s the Bottom Line? What do we know about the effectiveness of complementary health approaches for low-back pain? There’s low- or moderate-quality evidence that a variety of mind and body practices, including acupuncture, electromyography biofeedback, low-level laser therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, progressive muscle relaxation, spinal manipulation, tai chi, and yoga, may be helpful for chronic low-back pain. There’s low-quality evidence that acupuncture, massage therapy, and spinal…