Let’s start this newsletter with an amazing display of some incredible psychic powers. How, you ask?  I’ll tell you something about yourself, even if we have never met. Are you ready?  Ok, here it goes: You have suffered from back pain. And, not only have you suffered from back pain, your back pain has been a problem for quite a while and you are afraid it will stick with you for the rest of your life.

Pretty accurate statement… isn’t it?  Of course it’s accurate – but it has nothing to do with psychic powers. Although “psychics” use this very technique to…

Fool People Every Day!

What you have just read is a truism. A truism is something that is true for a majority of people. In this case, statistics show 80% of people in North America will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives.  Not only that, for 85% of these back pain sufferers, the pain will be chronic.

That being said, there are things you can do to ease and possibly relieve back pain so you are not just another statistic.  One thing, of course, is Chiropractic care. Studies have shown Chiropractic care to be effective (and cost effective) in the treatment of many cases of back pain and it is clearly a great option for many back pain sufferers.

It is wise for back pain sufferers to consult a Chiropractor to find out if Chiropractic care can help and to see what their options are.  Besides Chiropractic, recent research reveals some important things about easing back pain you probably do not know – but should you use…

Weights Or Aerobics
To Ease Back Pain?

“People who use weight training to ease their low back pain are better off than those who choose other forms of exercise such as jogging, according to a University of Alberta study”, as reported in a December 16, 2009 article in Science Daily.  “The study, done in conjunction with the University of Regina, showed a 60 percent improvement in pain and function levels for people with chronic backaches who took part in a 16-week exercise program of resistance training using dumbbells, barbells and other load-bearing exercise equipment.

“In contrast, people who chose aerobic training such as jogging, walking on a treadmill, or using an elliptical machine to ease their back pain only experienced a 12 percent improvement, said Robert Kell, an Assistant Professor of Exercise Physiology at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus.”  Researchers believe they achieve better pain management results with resistance training because they are using a whole body approach. On the contrary, aerobics training generally works just the lower body.

More Exercise Or Less?

According to a University of Alberta study, if you suffer with low back pain, you should exercise MORE, not less.  In the study, 240 men and women with chronic back pain who exercised four days a week had 28% less pain and 36% less disability, while those who exercised two or three days a week did not see this change.

Amazing what a day or two in the gym can do, isn’t it?

The study showed working with WEIGHTS four days a week provided the greatest amount of pain relief and quality of life improvement.  An important note: “Working with weights” is a very relative term. Before you start any exercise program, you should see a qualified doctor for a pre-workout examination. And, all workouts should be designed to suite your individual case and needs. (We are trained to assist you in this.)