Back Pain

Back Pain Remedies, According to Consumer Reports

April 28th, 2009

Back Pain Treatment Survey

Back pain is one of the most common injuries among adults, affecting about 80% of Americans. Low Back Pain is a condition that can disrupt many aspects of life: sleep, maintaining a healthy weight and sex life, among others. While some people only experience pain for a few days or a week, it can plague others for a year or more.

The Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center recently surveyed more than 14,000 subscribers, all of whom had suffered from low back pain and sought non-surgical treatments.

Many people chose to see their primary-care physician for help with back pain. While this may be able to rule out any serious underlying disease, most survey subjects reported disappointment with how the doctor could help, however, primary-care physicians can write prescriptions and give referrals for other treatments.

Survey participants tried an average of five to six different treatment options over the course of a year. They were then asked to rate a comprehensive list of remedies.

Hands-on treatments such as chiropractic, massage therapy and physical therapy were rated as very helpful.
Spinal injections were rated just below hands-on treatments, with 51% of respondents finding them very helpful.
Prescription medications were reportedly taken by one-third of respondents, with ratings ranging from beneficial (45%) to very helpful (22%).
58% of participants wished they had done more back-strengthening exercises to help prevent injury.

Posted by: Stephanie

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Original Back Pain Remedies Article Courtesy of Consumer Reports.