Oh! My Aching Back!
How to Reduce
Your Risk of Back Pains/Injuries and Avoid Related Costs
=====================================================
Back pain is
a very common problem and affects nearly half of all
adults in any given year. It is so prevalent that it is
the second most common cause of visits to the doctor's
office after cold and flu. Low back pain is also a
common reason for trips to the emergency room.
According to Webmd.com, the main reason we suffer from
back problems is that we are increasingly defying our
evolutionary heritage and becoming inactive creatures.
The upright posture is designed for walking, but, with
the advent of cars, we now go from place to place while
sitting down. Our habits have also drastically changed.
Most of our ancestors worked standing up while a high
proportion of today's people spend the better part of
their working day sitting. These changes in human
behavior have had a largely negative impact on human
physiology.
What are the most common symptoms of back pain?
Most
of our back troubles happen because of bad habits
generally developed over a long period of time - poor
posture, overexertion in work and play, sitting
incorrectly at the desk or steering wheel, or pushing
and pulling and lifting things carelessly.
The most common symptom of back trouble is pain! Usually
located in the middle of the lower portion of the back,
the pain can be sharp, stabbing, dull, throbbing or
aching. Some people experience associated pain in the
buttock and/or leg. This pain can be located on one side
or more rarely on both sides. The pain can also increase
with movement such as bending, twisting, lifting and
even walking.
What
can you do to prevent or manage the pain?
The best
prevention of back injuries is to watch how you lift
objects. Always remember to lift with your legs, not with
your arms. Maintain good posture, holding objects close to
your chest and keeping your back straight. You can also
prevent back aches if you:
-
Stretch
everyday
-
Watch your
diet - If you are overweight, you are at a higher risk
of suffering a back injury because your back is bearing
more of weight
-
Stay in
shape - Exercise regularly, doing some sort of
high-energy activity such as jogging, aerobics, tennis
or even golf. If you are over 50, try walking or
swimming
-
Sit Properly
- Always choose a chair with good support and sit up
straight, with both feet flat on the floor.
Unhealthy
lifestyle choices are a big reason healthcare costs are
rising. Poor health and inactive lifestyle can result in
serious health problems, and can make manageable diseases
more difficult and costly to treat. You can be healthier,
feel better and help control your helathcare costs by
finding a healthy lifestyle that is right for you.
=====================================================
How
does back injuries affect your healthcare costs?
Treament for back injuries is a significant cost paid by
your Health & Welfare Fund. Based on claims on Health &
Welfare Fund from August 2003 through July 2004, the Fund
paid $3.14 million or 9,636 claims on back and back-related
injuries. The Plan also paid for 10,656 prescription for
pain relievers such as Celebrex, Vioxx, Hydrocodene, Talacen
or Propoxy. Contributions made by you to the Health &
Welfare Fund are directly used to pay your health care cost
needs. Every dollar spent on back pain was paid by you and
your employer to the Health & Welfare Fund.
(Based on claims filed to the Health & Welfare Fund from
August 2003 through July 2004)
=====================================================
Unhealthy
lifestyle choices are a big reason healthcare cots are
rising. Poor health and inactive lifestyle can make
manageable diseases more difficult and costly to treat. You
can be healthier, feel better and help control your
healthcare costs by finding a healthy lifestyle that is
right for you.
Information in this publication is for general reference
only. You should not use this information to diagnose or
treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting
your doctor.
