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Dos and Don’ts for Back Pain
by Dr. Julian Whitaker
Published 02/03/09
One of the most common and debilitating conditions that I see in my patients is back pain. It’s estimated that more than 80 percent of all Americans suffer with this type of discomfort at some point in their lives. And whether it’s lower back or upper back, acute or chronic, pain can really limit the activities you are able to do and put a damper on the quality of your day-to-day life.
Your Amazing—and Vulnerable—Spine
Your spine, or backbone, is a true engineering feat. It’s constructed of 33 bones aligned in a flexible column, with supporting tissue surrounding each bone. These bones are called vertebrae and, in addition to providing the structure to hold your body erect, they also protect your spinal cord. In between each vertebra you have a cushioning wedge-shaped piece of cartilage known as an intervertebral disk.
What makes your spine so amazing is also what make it vulnerable to injury and pain.
For instance, the spine is designed for movement and flexibility, but daily wear-and-tear on your intervertebral disks can cause them to degenerate. Discs that bulge or break can press on nerves and cause pain. Furthermore, as you age, the bones themselves can lose strength and compress or even fracture. Your back is the core of your body’s strength and stability. But often it’s pushed too far, resulting in strain from overuse or injury. I’ve seen more than my share of patients with back pain caused by chronic repetitive movements or injuries from playing sports, yard work, or heavy lifting.
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