Therapies For Chronic Back Pain
March 18th, 2010
Chronic low back pain sufferers may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, a psychotherapy that focuses on modifying behaviors, emotions and beliefs.
According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 80 percent of the general population in the United Sates will suffer an episode of back pain during their lifetimes. Cognitive behavioral therapy can aid in restructuring thought patterns concerning back pain, according to a new University of Warwick study.
“This is a relatively new approach to helping people manage long-term health conditions,” says study author Zara Hansen, a cognitive behavioral therapist and physiotherapist from the University. “This intervention uses a psychological model to understand how we can manage pain better.”
Hansen studied 701 patients with low back pain assigned to either a cognitive therapy and standard care group or a group who received only standard care. Those who had cognitive therapy improved significantly on disability compared to those receiving standard care alone.
“For example, if I have persistent back pain and I think that I should avoid anything that brings on pain in case I am damaging myself, then I will slowly become less and less active, less and less fit, and then the stiffness and weakness that comes with using my back less will make my back feel worse,” says Hansen.
In addition to cognitive therapy, acupuncture can be an effective therapy for the treatment of back pain. Acupuncture improves back pain symptoms including:
· Persistent aching or stiffness along the spine.
· Localized pain in the neck, upper or lower back.
· Radiating back pain.
Acupuncture treats back pain caused by overstretching of ligaments, muscle rips or tears, herniated discs, sciatica, and spinal osteoarthritis. Acupuncture can be utilized as a primary or complementary therapy for the treatment of back pain.
For information about acupuncture for the treatment of acute and chronic back pain call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.
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