10 Strange Facts About Back Health

From lifting with the back to finding new ways to prevent lumbar-induced pain, there are thousands of articles available on back health. In all these educational or preventative posts, however, few look to the strange-ness that can occur. Stats on freak accidents, average dollars spent on treatments, and more all contribute to the nation’s back health movement each and every day.

Here’s a compilation of some of the weirdest ones to date.

10. According to healthcare analysts, an upwards of 80% of the population will experience back issues throughout their lifetime.

9. United States citizens spend more than $50 million in back-related expenses each year – and that’s only the stats that are easy to identify.

8. Think you’re shorter in the afternoon than the evening? The body “settles,” leaving humans 1 cm shorter by the end of the day.

7. Lower back pain is the highest listed cause of disability throughout the world.

6. Think the backbones or spines are complicated? One quarter of your bones are located in the feet.

5. It takes 200 muscles to take one step – no wonder ongoing pain hurts with every movement!

4. Back pain is one of the biggest reasons for missing work – and the second-highest cause for doctor visits. (Behind only colds and/or respiratory issues.)

3. It takes twice as long to lose new muscle mass than it does to gain it – all the more reason to stretch and keep bodies flexible on a regular basis. (Muscle builds fast, don’t let those efforts go to waste!)

2. Stretch the back for added strength – the strongest muscle in the body is the tongue, beating out arms, legs, and the rear.

1. The majority of back pains were not triggered by a condition, such as arthritis, cancer, broken bones, etc. Rather, organic issues are blamed for these ongoing bouts of pains.

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Eliminate Coccyx Pain With Sitting Habits

Whether we like it or not, sitting is one of the most frequent things we do each and every day. From work, to eating, to relaxing in the evenings, taking a load off is practically an American past time. And though the reasons may change, the amount of time spent on one’s rear rarely does. If one day we go on a long walk or spend some time on yard work, the next it might be raining and require an indoor reading session. There’s always a turn of events sending us into the nearest chair.

However, if not sitting on the proper chairs or cushions, serious side effects can occur, such as back pain, aches, or throbbing of the coccyx – or tailbone. Without support that works to align and protect these body parts, our sitting practices can actually cause more harm than they do rest or relaxation.

To help ease the coccyx pain, consider your everyday sitting habits. This can include chair health, available cushions, posture, and frequency in which one disperses their weight. The more often you sit in unfavorable positions, the more likely you are to experience ongoing pain. Which is why it’s all the more important to sit correctly.

To improve your sitting habits remember to:

• Pay attention to posture – though it’s easy to forget, sitting at a 90-degree angle can help the body stay alert while keeping one’s spine in check.
• Consider a new seat or back support pillow that transfers, no matter where you’re sitting. These models fit in the car, office chair, couch, or any public sitting scenario.
• Stretch – with your doctor’s approval, try various stretching or movement exercises to keep the blood flowing. This added movement can offer pain relief through regular muscle relaxation.
• Stand when possible – oftentimes coccyx pain occurs from regular sitting. By walking or standing when time allows, stress can be taken off of the back and therefore alleviating some of that pain.

For chronic sufferers, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about what options are available to treat and cure coccyx pain. You can also reach out to various support groups to talk with others who are dealing with the same symptoms.

While tailbone pain is a serious problem, there are also steps to be taken, specifically by the way you sit and handle everyday back-related events. For mild cases or intermittent relief, remember to follow the above; sitting habits can greatly and easily improve one’s health.

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10 Facts About Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Did you know...?

Fibromyalgia is a biochemical disorder.  It is a systemic neurotransmitter dysregulation with  biochemical causes.  Neurotransmitters carry information between the mind and body - presenting many interesting and often incorrect facts surrounding Fibromyalgia.

While, Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is a neuromuscular condition. MPS occurs because of mechanical failures.  Patients have trigger points all over their bodies.

Myofascia is a thin, almost translucent film that wraps around muscle tissue and is the tissue that holds all the other parts together. It gives shape and supports all of the body's muscles. It continues past the muscle and blends into the bone.  It's these trigger points that are affected, producing symptoms.

Read more about Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

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