Recent nationwide studies suggest that nine out of every ten adults will experience back pain at least once in their lifetime. With the total annual cost for back-related problems estimated at $50 billion per year (in the USA) including direct healthcare costs and indirect costs of work loss (Spine, Volume 19, #11, 1994), the physical and financial implications of this common condition are tremendous. Yet, one of the problems confronting those with back or neck pain is sifting through the many different treatments offered.

It is not uncommon to present identical symptoms to ten different health care providers and get ten different treatment recommendations. This abundance of treatment options can create confusion and frustration for the suffering patient. Adding to that confusion is the success rate of these different programs. If a patient feels better after trying a particular treatment, they attribute that to the treatment given, not to the fact that the body has a natural ability to heal itself. The patient then passes this success story on to other back problem sufferers, and the cycle is repeated.

The fact is that medical studies show that 90% of back injuries will resolve themselves within 8 to 10 weeks of injury regardless of the treatment (classic physical therapy, chiropractic, exercise, acupuncture, medication, bed rest, herbal wraps, meditation, health food diets, etc.).

However, studies show that patients who do not improve within 4 to 8 weeks post-injury or experience recurring back problems can benefit from an active rehabilitation program (‘Sports Medicine for Working People,’ Vert Mooney, M.D.). The old approach of treating symptoms and pain with medication is now replaced with increasing the activity level and strength of those muscles that were injured. If necessary, take medication to relieve the initial discomfort but most importantly, try and keep moving the injured area. Inactivity leads to a condition called ‘disuse atrophy’ where the muscles become weakened due to lack of activity.

Recent studies show that a person who has suffered with chronic back pain may have as little as 30% the strength of a healthy back. If you turn that scenario around and increase the strength in the injured area, you can dramatically increase the probability the pain will decrease or completely disappear.

One treatment that has scientific credibility involves active rehabilitation with the Med-x Program. This sports medicine approach for the treatment of chronic spine problems is producing success stories worldwide. If you would like more information on this medically supported treatment option, please return to the Home page.