Back pain is a major health care problem in the United States. Results from a National Institute of Health Statistics study found back pain to be the most common type of pain reported by respondents. Further, back pain is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and more than 25 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 64 said that they “frequently” experience back pain.
Here are some other interesting facts about back pain:
- After the common cold, back pain is the most cited reason for visiting a health care provider
- Eighty percent of people are expected to suffer from back pain at some point during their life
- Each year, two percent of American workers are compensated for back injuries and approximately 35 percent of workplace absences are due to back pain
- Each year in the U.S. $50 billion will be spent trying to relieve back pain
- Most back pain is not caused by serious medical conditions such as arthritis, a fracture, or cancer
Treating back pain can be a complicated issue. Patients who have persistent back pain face surgical intervention or pain medications that can have many uncomfortable side effects. Fortunately, many back pain sufferers have found some relief through posture pumps. The function of this medical device is to decompress and shape the spine. The theory behind these pumps is that through the use of gravity and by creating gaps in the vertebrae, disks and joints in the back will be lubricated.
When posture pumps are used with ice, inflammation is said to decrease. These pumps are also used in an effort to restore normal spinal function in patients with a reduced or reversed cervical curve. Posture pumps are simple to use and all that is required is a flat, firm surface to lay it on.
Inversion tables are another option for patients suffering from low back pain but these tables come with significant risks. These risks include changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and even pressure in the eye and ears. Further, a quality inversion table can be very expensive.
Clinical studies have shown that posture devices such as the posture pump help to reduce disk pressure and pain in patients. In fact, many patients who have faced the prospect of injections have tried the posture pump first with positive results, allowing them to forgo shots of any type. Further, x-rays have shown that spinal segments are more mobile following treatment with the posture pump.
Back pain is a serious and prevalent issue for many Americans. Before you make any decisions regarding treatment it is important to talk with your doctor or health care provider.