Survey finds lifestyle change in sufferers of back pain

Seventy-two percent of those with back pain said they've given up exercising.
SCRIPPS HOWARD
While the causes of back pain are rarely life-threatening, a new survey shows that a chronically sore back changes most people's lifestyle.
The national phone survey of adults, done for an association of medical pain specialists, found that one in five had sought help from a medical professional for lower back pain in the past seven years.
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 6 million Americans consult with a physician each year for lower back pain, and nearly half a million require hospitalization.
"Lower back pain can be a life-altering affliction that makes it unbearable to sit at a desk, attend a movie, enjoy a round of golf or perform even the simplest of activities that many of us take for granted," said Dr. David Kloth, president of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and director of Connecticut Pain Care in Danbury, Conn.
The survey released late last week was done on behalf of the society and Smith & amp; Nephew, a manufacturer of medical devices.
It found that 72 percent of those who had sought treatment for back pain reported giving up exercising or sports-related activities. Additionally, 60 percent said they were unable to perform some daily activities, and 46 percent said they had given up sex due to their back condition.
What's behind the trend
Kloth said he believes that an aging, increasingly obese population is largely behind what seems to be an increase in back problems. "I also think people generally are less likely to try and tough out back pain, more likely to seek professional care." The survey found that patients experienced severe lower back pain for an average of 15 months before seeking out a doctor or other health professional.
Kloth said although it's true that self care -- such as over-the-counter pain relievers and heating pads -- often resolves back pain after a few weeks or months, "there's a lot of confusion about the medical options available to them if their problem persists for longer than three months.
According to the survey, 54 percent of back-pain sufferers were treated by a family physician, 38 percent saw a chiropractor and 23 percent got care from a physical therapist. About 15 percent each were treated by a spinal surgeon or pain-management specialist. And, regardless of who treated them, 40 percent said their pain or condition is either much better or completely healed, with an additional 20 percent saying they're somewhat better.
Lower back pain can be caused by a number of things, from injuries and strains to degeneration or tears of discs in the spine -- or even, rarely, by tumors. Although the main treatment options at one time were chiropractic care or surgery to fuse two or more vertebrae, a variety of innovations have come on the scene in recent decades.
These include conservative treatments such as epidural steroid injections. More advanced procedures include minimally invasive electrothermal therapy or disc decompression without a surgical incision; and implantation of artificial discs to replace those torn or worn down.
The survey found that 43 percent of patients who got treatment for lower back pain took prescription drugs, 26 got physical therapy, 14 percent received spinal injections and 13 percent underwent spinal fusion or other surgery. Thirteen percent said they didn't use any of the treatments they discussed with a doctor.