Putting Back Pain Behind You

Expert Offers Tips On How To Keep Your Back Pain-Free

(CBS)  Back pain is among the most common medical problems. Millions of Americans deal with it daily.

But structural issues with bones, muscles, and more are only part of the back-pain equation.

Chiropractor Todd Sinett, author of "The Truth about Back Pain," explained the roles of other factors, nutrition and emotion, and offered tips for keeping backs pain-free, on The Early Show's Saturday Edition.

He says effective treatment of back pain must address all three factors:

STRUCTURAL

We tend to put all our efforts into diagnosing and treating structural problems. The most important thing is that, unlike most medical conditions, who you see about your back pain determines what treatment you get. A general practitioner will give you medications or refer you to a physical therapist. A therapist prescribes exercise. A chiropractor does a manipulation or adjustment. A massage therapist does massage, and so on. All of them have different training, and no one speaks the same language, so we get only partial answers from each of them.

NUTRITION

This is the most overlooked aspect of back pain. And it brings us to my father's story: He bent down to pick up a tennis ball, and got severe back spasms. He went to all kinds of experts, got all kinds of treatment, and nothing worked. Finally, he found a doctor who asked WHY, instead of just trying to treat the pain. And it turned out the problem was diet: Lots of coffee and sweets had caused reflux that affected my father's back muscles.

Also, there are hormones. Women know back pain is often associated with their menstrual period. And pregnant women will have back pain, even before the weight of the baby becomes a factor. Putting them on an anti-back-pain diet can help them, as well.

EMOTIONS

A Stanford University study ranked emotional attitudes and stress as the leading factors in back pain. So, if you get back pain, ask first, what are you stressed about? Ask how to relax.

The best exercise for the most common types of back pain, studies show, is simple walking. Except for sudden injury, back pain tends to develop gradually, and gradual exercise such as walking helps.

MYTHS

Among the ones about back pain: If you bend down to lift something and your back goes out, it's because you bent wrong. It's rare for your back to go out after making a simple movement such as bending. If you suffer sudden back pain, it's likely you've been doing something that damaged your back little-by-little, and bending was simply the final indignity, and your back said, "No more!"

Another myth: the location of your back pain points to the problem. Fact is, you may experience pain in one part of the body when the problem isn't really there. For example, an imbalance in your feet can cause pain in your lower back.

Yet another myth: Abdominal exercises, such as sit-ups and crunches, strengthen your back. Sit-ups and crunches actually cause more back pain than they prevent. Sinett says he's treated so many patients who've hurt themselves with these exercises, he firmly believes you should never do them. Instead of sit-ups, the ideal exercise to do is called "The Skinnies," which work a small internal abdominal muscle called the transverse abdominus

REALITY

There are two important pieces of equipment if you want "six-pack abs," and the amazing thing is that nearly everyone has them: a pair of sneakers - this represents cardiovascular exercise - and a fork, representing what you eat. To get the six-pack abs, you need to lower your percentage of body fat.

Stretching is good for the back. It's all about flexibility, and flexibility helps us stay young. Stretching for five-to-eight minutes a day is plenty. And "No pain, no gain" doesn't apply here. When it comes to stretching, "No pain, no gain" is ridiculous. You want to improve your comfort level, not hurt yourself. If you work at an office, get up from your desk now and then and stretch standing up: Bend backward, 10 repetitions. It really helps.

To read an excerpt of "The Truth About Back Pain," click here.

[nhurbon]

where can I order this book? Nicole hurbon

[nfelts1]

loved the story. The Saturday early show is the only place to be on saturday morning. thanks cbs for great viewing - as always

[dmort22]

Dr. Sinett is very good on camera, and I would suggest that he could be a regular contributor. How to handle back pain is such a common problem, and I would like to see more of him discussing exercise and diet.

[dmort22]

Dr. Sinett is very good on camera, and I would suggest that he could be a regular contributor. How to handle back pain is such a common problem, and I would like to see more of him discussing exercise and diet.

[dmort22]

Dr. Sinett is very good on camera, and I would suggest that he could be a regular contributor. How to handle back pain is such a common problem, and I would like to see more of him discussing exercise and diet.

[ejnkrzykwa]

Hello "The Early Show",
I was lucky enough to see your program on back pain and would like to know where to get the book. Dr. Sinett, spoke well and the info was useful.
The medical trade, with their drug and insurance partners, have a strangle hold on the American people. I would love to see Doctors of Chiropractic become regular contributors to shows such as yours.
Thanks for the refreshing program.
Ed

[ethben11]

I have actually read the book "The Truth About Back Pain" and I loved it. It really is a practical and simple approach to dealing with and avoiding issues related to the back.

While most books like this are difficult to read and even more difficult to follow this book gives the everyday person many helpful and easy to follow tips for dealing with and avoiding back pain. According to Dr. Sinett, the simple things we never think of can make a world of difference.

I was thrilled to see Dr. Sinett on The Early Show. His enthusiasm makes me want to try and implement even more of his concepts.

[kenbeecher]

What a great clip! I''d love to see Dr. Sinett on regularly to discuss other areas of interest such as arthritis, TMJ, and knee soreness.

Thank you CBS for this feature.

[itamas]

Back pain come from many different sources.
a. Bone (calcium) problem.
b. Bad body movement. Over worked - cause back ache.
c. Arthritis - begin mostly in younger age.
d. Lower backache is a digestion problem.
Mr. Tamas Naturalist
P.O.Box 268 Harrisville NY 13648

[cazali]

The segment with Dr. Sinett was excellent. He addressed a problem that so many people suffer from, and did so with a new and insightful perspective. You should consider having Dr. Sinett on your show as a regular guest. His expertise and unique perspective would be pertinent for a variety of medical situations.

[bradmira]

I thought Dr. Sinett was excellent. I have already read his book and his ideas have changed my life. I have had back problems for years and I never thought it was because of diet. Since following Dr. Sinett''s advice, I have been pain free. And than what a surprise to see him on your show. Not only is he a great doctor who wrote a life changing book, but he was exceedingly articulate on television. Please have him back again, and again and again.

[nothappyatall]

Im not all that convinced about diet though, but chiropractic visits can do a lot

[spineman4]

Dr. Sinett''s book is a refreshing and insightful approach to an epidemic problem in our society.
He was a great guest I think should be a regular contributor to the show.

[suepol1028]

I would certainly agree with several of the other posters, Dr Sinett had a great camera presence, and could be a great addition to the early show health excerpts. Chiropractors can present their viewpoint on so many areas of health and wellness that many people are unaware of.

[joelocco1]

SpineUniverse.com has many articles relating to the causes and treatment of back pain. Here is one comparing the myths and facts of our "unfortunate reality".

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1932.html

[joelocco1]

SpineUniverse.com has many articles relating to the causes and treatment of back pain. Here is one comparing the myths and facts of our "unfortunate reality".

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1932.html

[joelocco1]

SpineUniverse.com has many articles relating to the causes and treatment of back pain. Here is one comparing the myths and facts of our "unfortunate reality".

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1932.html

[joelocco1]

SpineUniverse.com has many articles relating to the causes and treatment of back pain. Here is one comparing the myths and facts of our "unfortunate reality".

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1932.html

[jclr-2009]

This segment was so insightful! I can''t wait to read Dr. Sinett''s book "The Truth About Back Pain". Dr. Sinett should become a regular contributor on the "Early Show"! Kudos to you Dr. Sinett! Thanks for helping those who suffer from back pain!

[erinbw]

This was great - please have Dr. Todd on again! And not just because it''s fun to see anchors trying to stretch in their suit, that''s just a great bonus. In all seriousness, this could be a great continuing segment.