Back in good health: how to keep your lumbar limber - includes tips on prevention - Healthy by Choice

Vegetarian Times, August, 1995 by Karin Horgan Sullivan

The old advice to take several weeks' bedrest actually hinders the healing process; more than a couple of days in bed will weaken muscles and slow recovery. Stay active. As long as you don't experience any sharp pain, you should resume your normal activities as quickly as possible. Start aerobic activities that put minimal stress on the back during the first two weeks; the government guidelines suggest swimming, walking and biking.

Stay away from prescription medications if you can. Christina Stemmler, M.D., a family practitioner in Houston and president of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, points out that pain is the body's message to take it easy; medication temporarily masks the pain, which can lead you to overextend yourself and injure yourself even more. Stick with over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin.

WHY GO TO A DOCTOR?

THOUGH MOST BACK PAIN will resolve within a few weeks, visiting a health-care professional can help bring peace of mind. The government panel's review found that spinal manipulation may reduce pain and even speed recovery if performed during the first month of symptoms. Manipulation involves adjusting joints to remove restrictions in motion, which can adversely affect surrounding tissue and nerves.

A chiropractor is an obvious choice for treating low-back pain. According to Triano, close to 100 named styles of chiropractic techniques exist, and no provider is an expert in all of them. How do you find a chiropractor who's right for you? Chiropractors are known as "straights" or "mixers." Straights tend to focus only on the spine, while mixers may incorporate other practices such as acupuncture, herbs and nutrition. Ask which type you're getting. Neither is inherently better than the other; it just depends on your preference. Triano says the chiropractor should provide a thorough evaluation but be hesitant to use tests such as MRIs and X-rays; the expense of these tests rarely is justified, since most people heal on their own.

Osteopaths (D.O.s) also make use of spinal manipulation. Though D.O.s are qualified to prescribe drugs and perform surgery, they are trained to take a more holistic view of patients than traditional doctors, focusing on how structural abnormalities can cause illness. Going to an osteopath does not guarantee that you've found an expert in manipulation, however. David Zeiger, D.O., a family practitioner at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chicago, estimates that fewer than 5 percent of osteopaths perform manipulation. To find a qualified osteopath, Zeiger suggests choosing one who has continuing education credits and teaching experience in manipulation.

Visiting a physical therapist is another option for pain relief. In many cases, a physical therapist will do the work for you at first, moving your limbs to restore flexibility and overcome pain, and perhaps using massage. A physical therapist can help you develop an exercise program to reduce pain, as well as prevent future incidents of back pain.