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Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit their doctor. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 8 out of 10 people have some type of backache.

Back pain can occur in any area of the back, but it is more common in the lower part, which supports most of the body’s weight. The back is highly complex, and pain may result from damage or injury to any of various bones, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and other structures.

According to a 2001 review of studies, there are some psychological rehabilitation therapies to reduce low back pain and improving function. What are they?

Stress Reduction. Relaxation methods and meditation, may be helpful to reduce stress. A study reported that meditation was beneficial in reducing pain and improving mood among back pain sufferers who had not responded to traditional care.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. A course of cognitive-behavioral therapy helps reduce chronic back pain or at least enhances the patient’s ability to deal with it. Using specific tasks and self-observation, patients gradually shift their fixed ideas that they are helpless against the pain that dominates their lives to the perception that pain is only one negative and, to a degree, a manageable experience among many positive ones.

Patient Education and Support Groups. A 2002 study reported that patients with chronic low back pain who participated in an expert-moderated e-mail support and discussion group had less pain and disability after 12 months. An Australian massive public-health campaign that educated patients and doctors about the importance of staying active and dispelled fears about long-term impairment from back pain dramatically reduced disability and worker compensation claims.

If you are about finding a therapy to reduce low back pain, which method will you choose then? :-D

Topik: Therapy