Oh, Your Aching Back!

Exercises To Get You Through Day When It Hits At Office

(CBS)  Back pain is one of the most common forms of physical disability and, after the common cold, is the second leading reason that Americans miss work.

So, on The Early Show Friday, exercise physiologist and fitness consultant Neal Pire showed several simple exercises to help you loosen up your back and neck, ease the pain, and get through your day at the office.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, doctors have many ideas about what causes low back pain, but no explanation applies to everyone. It may be related to damage to or aging of discs, muscular problems, arthritis of the spine, problems with tendons or ligaments in and around the spine, or improper ositioning of vertebrae. Low back pain is sometimes caused by excessive stress to the back, such as lifting something heavy; minimal movement, such as bending or reaching for something; and, occasionally, it happens with no cause. Chronic stress can also lead to muscle weakness and back pain. It causes back muscles to tighten.

For much more from the academy on lower back pain, click here.

Pire says the main reason people feel back pain at work is that they sit in poor positions and/or sit too long without moving.

He emphasizes that it's important to maintain a posture that promotes balance and reduces stress on the joints and muscles. "Being able to maintain a healthy and efficient posture throughout the day means you have to move a little bit," Pire says. "The enemy is being in a static position for a long period of time."

Pire adds that sitting for a long time causes the resting muscles in the neck and back to be in an abnormally short resting length position, "So, when you stand up, you may say, 'Whoa!' because your hips flexors were shortened and then stretched."

He recommends that people working in an office move every hour, to stretch their legs. He says getting up an moving makes you feel better, because you are getting oxygen into your system.

Interestingly, Pire says no back rolls or special chairs are needed. He says that, these days, even the least expensive chairs in offices are usually contoured to give good back support.

To watch the segment, click here.

[peaddy]

Will the exercises shown by Neal Pire be placed on this site? I wish I would have had a paper/pen when he came one!

[tnpeg1]

This morning on the Early Show a gentleman was showing Harry Smith some office exercises. One was to lean way back with your nose facing the ceiling. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! My son is a physical therapist and I have had cervical fusion - every doctor has warned people to NEVER hyperflex your cervical spine that way. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR MEDICAL ADVISORS and make a corrected statement on the show as soon as possible! If there is an existing injury (and often it is asymptomastic), paralysis or a stroke could be the immediate result.
Peggy from Tennessee

[vigoanderson]

This morning on the Early Show you had this article about "Your Acing Back". Suggested that you have a follow up article to explain the healthy back benefits of replacing standard office seating with an exercise ball. Seriously, an exercise ball! I am not a doctor but just think about it. The standard to very expensive office seating supports the back to the point that the back is fully relaxed and not supporting itself. With an exercise ball it forces your back to support itself and you can constantly move around simply by rolling slightly on the ball. I used an exercise ball as office seating the last four months of my employment prior to my retirement on August 1, 2006. My wife and I still use exercise balls at home for home office seating while doing computer entry and we love it. Only problem I experienced in the office that after about six plus hours my postierior was a little stiff but over time with strengthened muscles that problem goes away. Yep, sounds crazy but it works and it costs so little for an exercise ball for seating.

Cheers,

Vigo E. Anderson
Anchorage, Alaska
Cell: [phone]

[drpetebarnes]

Dear Sirs,
Some of the information on this mornings show was helpful, but it's unfortunate that you don't look at other more common causes of chronic back pain, and that being the dysfunction of the spinal joints. The spinal column protects the spinal cord and the spinal nerves that exit at each level. With a shift of these joints causing irritation to these spinal nerves, will cause a cascade of events from muscle spasm, inflammation, swelling, pain or tenderness, and a limitation of movement. This condition sould be looked at by a specialist, that being a chiropractor. Next time when discussing "Back Pain" you would be providing a community service to give equal time that specialist.

Thank You,

Pierre Barnes, D.C.

[drpetebarnes]

Dear Sirs,
Some of the information on this mornings show was helpful, but it's unfortunate that you don't look at other more common causes of chronic back pain, and that being the dysfunction of the spinal joints. The spinal column protects the spinal cord and the spinal nerves that exit at each level. With a shift of these joints causing irritation to these spinal nerves, will cause a cascade of events from muscle spasm, inflammation, swelling, pain or tenderness, and a limitation of movement. This condition sould be looked at by a specialist, that being a chiropractor. Next time when discussing "Back Pain" you would be providing a community service to give equal time that specialist.

Thank You,

Pierre Barnes, D.C.

[tms3029]

I read this article with interest, but was disappointed that chiropractic, the most logical and effective back treatment, wasn't mentioned. If the spinal segments are not in alignment, they can cause pinched nerves, irritated nerves, and these in turn irritate all other tissues, including back muscles.
Please consider that even the AMA has stated that chiropractic treatment is more effective for back pain than any other treatment. The other kinds of treatments treat only the symptoms of back pain, while chiropractic treats the cause. Let's get a little more wide knowledge from your reporters rather than half of the story.
Terry, chiropractor's mom and patient

[06cnet08]

Why am I unable to access you videos ?
There were several I would like to see but nothing happens
I'm sure it is something I am doing wrong. Any suggestions?