More than half of people say they've suffered lower back pain in the past year, according to the latest NPR-Truven Health Analytics Health Poll.
That's not a surprise; low back pain is very common, and one of the biggest reasons that people seek medical care. But people told us that they're making very different choices in how they treat that pain, with some stark differences among age groups and income levels.
And doctors often aren't giving people advice based on the best medical evidence, instead prescribing treatments that don't relieve back pain and can expose people to serious risk, including addiction.
Fifty-five percent of people polled said they treated the back pain themselves without going to a doctor. That makes sense; most back pain gets better on its own, and the self-prescribed remedy that people say they reach for more often, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, can offer some relief without significant risk.
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There NEEDS to be a interstate prescription unit so you can not get double meds.
ReplyDeleteI'd much rather take one or two percocet a day than consumption of alcohol. My back is some days absolutely unbearable. I went to John's Hopkins WANTING to have surgery. The doctor there was quite honest and appreciated showing me while viewing MRI that rge L3,4,5 discs would need to be removed and spine fused. He didn't recommend doing so because more than likely will do more harm to the spine in near future. Will this heal itself, NOT!! Are there days that I NEED pain meds, YES!! Are there days I don't take any at all, YES!! Would you rather I go to the liquor store and slam down a few drinks a day? this us my choice and closely and I mean closely, random pill counts and urines with signed contract, I prefer to manage my health problems on my terms not Joe publics. Don't judge me by people that have no type of self control and the ones that play Russian roulette with syringes and shooting poison into their bodies and have no idea what it consists of.
ReplyDeleteI'd much rather take one or two percocet a day than consumption of alcohol. My back is some days absolutely unbearable. I went to John's Hopkins WANTING to have surgery. The doctor there was quite honest and appreciated showing me while viewing MRI that rge L3,4,5 discs would need to be removed and spine fused. He didn't recommend doing so because more than likely will do more harm to the spine in near future. Will this heal itself, NOT!! Are there days that I NEED pain meds, YES!! Are there days I don't take any at all, YES!! Would you rather I go to the liquor store and slam down a few drinks a day? this us my choice and closely and I mean closely, random pill counts and urines with signed contract, I prefer to manage my health problems on my terms not Joe publics. Don't judge me by people that have no type of self control and the ones that play Russian roulette with syringes and shooting poison into their bodies and have no idea what it consists of.
ReplyDeleteMy chiropractor said 90% of low back problems would disappear if people get rid of the extra weight.
ReplyDeleteBut he also says he does not dare to say anything, because people get offended.
M-o-s-t Americans are overweight, and many are grossly overweight.
So to get rid of the pain, get rid of the fat.
Sorry, but many need to hear this, and it may really help them.
No mention is made for the positive gains of physical therapy, which looks to solve the pain problem, not obscure it.
ReplyDelete