AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS (AAOS) AND NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINERS’ ASSOCIATION (NATA) TEAM UP ON PSA CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT BACK PAIN
ROSEMONT, Ill. and
DALLAS, March 3, 2010 - According to the Journal of
Athletic Training, one in five Americans experiences back pain
each year, and eight in ten will suffer from it in their lifetimes.
To help reduce the incidence and expense of this widespread and
chronic condition, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and
the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) are
launching a public service announcement (PSA) campaign in March
2010, to spread the word. In addition, the two organizations have
issued recommendations that can help individuals reduce the risk of
back pain in their daily lives.
"We're pleased to partner with AAOS on
this much-needed campaign to raise awareness about back pain," said
Marjorie J. Albohm, MS, ATC, president of NATA. "We hope that by providing important
information about back pain, we can help people lead fuller, more
pain-free and enjoyable lives. As our PSA campaign reinforces, back pain
should never just be ignored and there are steps you can take to
prevent and treat it."
"Back pain is a very common
chronic condition as we age, and many people don't know how easy it
can be to reduce or even prevent it, even without drugs or
surgery,"� said Jesse Butler, MD, spokesperson for the American
Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "Some back problems are
simple to correct, while others are more complicated and may
require specialized diagnosis and treatment."
In 2006, Americans age 40
and younger made nearly six million doctor's office visits and
three million hospital stays to deal with pain, according to the "
National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey." The "Health Care
Utilization and Economic Cost of Musculoskeletal Diseases" report
estimated annual direct medical costs for all spine-related
conditions, 2002 to 2004, reached nearly $194 billion, with just
over $30 billion estimated as the incremental cost directly related
to back pain; annual indirect costs of $14 billion in lost wages
also were
incurred.1
Guidelines for a healthier
back
According to NATA
and AAOS, everybody has physical limitations, which
can often lead to body imbalances that, in turn, cause back pain.
That's why it's important to identify problem areas and correct
these imbalances through better posture, periodic exercise,
strength training, and regular stretching to aid flexibility. AAOS
and NATA offer these tips to avoid back pain include the
following:
1.
Stay
mobile-T
here are many ways to increase mobility including daily stretches
or activities that increase flexibility and get the body moving in
different directions. Try yoga, tai chi, swimming or Pilates to
keep you limber.
2.
Warm up before
physical activity- Keeping muscles warmed up
and staying mobile will decrease the chance of injury. Engage in a
low-impact activity prior to participating in sports or
exercising..
3.
Work on strength
training-
Improving overall balance and flexibility will reduce stress on the
back. Exercises should involve the whole body, especially the core
muscles of the stomach, back, hips and pelvis.
4.
Don't forget
cardiovascular training -Physical activity - such as
walking, swimming and running - for at least 20 minutes, three
times a week, increases muscular endurance and cardiovascular
fitness, and improves blood flow to the spine. Exercise also helps
decrease daily stress that can tighten muscles.
5.
Straighten
up- Correct
posture doesn't just look better, it feels better, too. Be sure to
stand with your head up, shoulders straight, chest forward and
stomach tight. Try not to sit or drive for long periods of time.
When seated always remember to keep your hips and knees at right
angles to one another and find a chair with adequate lumbar (lower
back) support.
6.
Lift using your
legs, not your back- When lifting objects from
a position below your waist, stand with a wide stance and a slight
bend at your hips and knees. Tighten your stomach as you lift and
keep your back as flat as possible - do not arch or
bend.
7.
Carry with
care - When
carrying heavy objects, keep them as close to your body as you can.
Always avoid carrying objects on only one side of your body. With
more and more Americans traveling with computer bags and carry-on
luggage, it's essential to adhere to proper carrying and lifting
techniques.
8.
Get adequate
rest-
Select a firm mattress and box spring that do not sag, and try to
sleep in a position that allows you to maintain your back's natural
curve.
9.
Improve your
healthy lifestyle- Obesity and smoking are
known to increase the incidence of back pain and decrease overall
quality of life. Live healthier to reduce back pain.
10..
Build in rest
breaks- If
you are physically active or enjoy athletics at any level, remember
to build rest days and rest breaks into your weekly routine. The
body needs time to recover from activity, and adding these natural
breaks will rejuvenate muscles and the potential aching back that
can come from overuse.
AAOS and NATA Partner on
PSA
Featuring volleyball players on
the beach, the PSA headline reminds readers that "back pain never
takes a time out." It will be distributed to major consumer
magazines and daily newspapers nationwide and appear on large,
backlit ads at selected airports throughout the country. The campaign also coincides with National Athletic
Training Month in March, which promotes the theme "Sports Safety is
a Team Effort."
The PSA campaign is the fifth in
a series of annual print ads launched jointly, and have proven to
be an effective way to disseminate critical health care
information. Previous campaigns focused on prevention and treatment
of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in girls, prevention
of falls among seniors, baby boomer injury prevention and youth
sport overuse injuries.
For more
information about the prevention and treatment of back pain, visit
the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons at www.orthoinfo.org
and the National Athletic Trainers' Association at www.nata.org.
About the American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons (AAOS):
With more than 36,000
members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, (www.aaos.org)
or (www.orthoinfo.org)
is the premier not-for-profit organization that provides education
programs for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals,
champions the interests of patients and advances the highest
quality of musculoskeletal health. Orthopaedic surgeons and the
Academy are the authoritative sources of information for patients
and the general public on musculoskeletal conditions, treatments
and related issues. The Academy's 2010 Annual Meeting is being held
March 9-13, 2010 at the Morial Convention Center in New
Orleans.
National Athletic Trainers'
Association (NATA)-
Health Care for Life & Sport:
Athletic trainers are health care
professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis,
treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses. The
National Athletic Trainers' Association (www.nata.org) represents
and supports 30,000 members of the athletic training profession.
Only 42 percent of high schools have access to athletic trainers.
NATA members adhere to a code of ethics. NATA supports the right of
all patients to have equal access to the services of athletic
trainers through the Athletic Trainers' Equal Access to Medicare
Act (H.R. 1137). NATA's annual meeting will be held June 22-25,
2010 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in
Philadelphia.
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