Fear of back pain? Once you’ve had
it, you answer “yes!” Your Sitka chiropractor totally
understands it. Sitka back pain and neck pain
patients do not want to feel that pain again.
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka helps spine pain sufferers regain their confidence with encouragement and exercise.
FEAR AVOIDANCE DUE TO BACK PAIN
Back pain sufferers don't want to revisit
back pain if they can help it. That desire -
whether obvious or subtle, stated or just ruminated in the mind – establishes the ‘perfect storm’ for a behavior called
fear-avoidance. Patients with persistent spinal pain syndrome - post-surgically
caused or not – elicited high levels of
fear avoidance, anxiety, and depression. (1) Researchers noted
that the pain experience isn't just physical as
emotions, behaviors and beliefs are involved as well. Fear
avoidant behavior like fearing object lifting
grows and affects muscle behavior without realizing it. A recent
study compared fear-avoidant beliefs and the use of lumbar paraspinal muscle activity while lifting in
both back pain and in pain-free volunteers. Fear of lifting an object
with a flexed spine as documented in a questionnaire was negatively
associated with erector spinae activity to protect the spine from
injury. The proper way to lift has been discussed
through the years. Lifting with a straight back has been described
as safer than lifting with a flexed back though research hasn't really
supported that while lifting with a lordotic posture has been found
to result in more erector spinae muscle activity giving rise to
muscle fatigue and pain. (2) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka knows the significance
of handling fear avoidance and its link to better quality of
life.
HOW TO MANAGE FEAR AVOIDANCE
Researchers wrote that back pain
sufferers today ‘get’ that they must keep active but some require
a little more support and encouragement to move and exercise because
of a lack of confidence in their backs’
ability to exercise without triggering pain. The healthcare
provider not only can share the latest findings on
pain control but also coach the back pain patient to be
physical in the safest way possible. (3) If you are that patient, Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka is
your coach! We are a team and can help you move better
and with less fear and provide gentle, relieving spinal
manipulation. 12 weeks of chiropractic manipulation along
with exercise for older adults with chronic back pain improved
their self-efficacy and fear-avoidant behaviors as well as decreases in disability. A 30% or more reduction
in the Oswestry Disability Index indicated positive response to
care. (4) The more engaged a patient is with treatment, the greater the influence
on the feeling of self-efficacy and disability reduction. (5) Let us
work together to manage your Sitka back pain so it does
not control you.
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Tom Menendez on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
illustrates the relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal
Pain Management for an older patient with back pain for whom fear avoidance is logical.
Make your Sitka chiropractic
appointment today so that if you are asked
if you fear back pain, you can say “no”!
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."