The $100B per year back pain industry is mostly a hoax • Hacker News Board

Re: The $100B per year back pain industry is mostly a hoax

#171

Post by pif » Wed, Jul 05, 2017, 6:18 AM UTC

taneq wrote: post #144

bigiain wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll vouch for the effectiveness of losing 30+kg (65+lb). Which only reduces the back pain problem for overweight people to a known-intractable weight loss problem... :-/

Weight loss isn't "known intractable". Physically it's very simple, if an overweight person is physically prevented from eating too much, they'll lose weight, just like physically it's very simple to quit addictive drugs. And the drug analogy is a good one, because just like quitting drugs, you can't quit overeating (barring the aforementioned option of someone physically preventing you from doing so - which is liter…

> Weight loss isn't "known intractable".

Indeed, weight loss is "simple", as you said. The problem arises when you have managed to get to your target and you realize that, short of amphetamines or similarly dangerous drugs, there is no known way to keep your weight stable with an acceptable life quality.

Obese people are not stupid when they choose to keep eating; they've just learnt by experience that, unless you solve the hunger problem, loosing weight will not yield a better life.

By the way, surgery actually looks like an option.

Re: The $100B per year back pain industry is mostly a hoax

#172

Post by charris0 » Wed, Jul 05, 2017, 6:24 AM UTC

Had back pain (lower back and neck) for years, mostly I think due to being tall and poor desk posture.

I used to spend a lot of money at the chiropractor/osteopath, and while they do give relief I don't see them as a long term solution. That said, I think they can be valuable for acute episodes.

What cured my back pain is Yoga. Not overnight, not over a week, but months of adding strength and flexibility to body as a whole. I'm now pain free.

This may not work for all symptoms, but I think it's important to realise (in most cases it seems) you cannot expect the medical professional to heal you, only to help you temporarily. You must heal you.

Re: The $100B per year back pain industry is mostly a hoax

#173

Post by sn9 » Wed, Jul 05, 2017, 6:26 AM UTC

seanwilson wrote: post #45

I thought this community would be more scientific...instead of anecdotes I'd rather see links to rigorous studies e.g. showing acupuncture or chiropractors work especially since these two forms of intervention have been subjected to decades of research already, have no plausible scientific basis and claim to treat many more things besides back pain. They should be held to the same standards as other medicine.

Why on earth would you assume any lay audience would have an up-to-date knowledge of the state of research in any given field in which they are not a working researcher?

Re: The $100B per year back pain industry is mostly a hoax

#174

Post by eddd » Wed, Jul 05, 2017, 6:28 AM UTC

Whenever I read such a piece, I recollect Noam Chomsky reflection that capitalism is a system where well informed consumers do rational decisions. But, our lives are so flooded with the informative garbage that people tend to do unrational decisions based on feelings and unknowingly. People are just not ready to digest that much, our educational system failed us miserably.

Re: The $100B per year back pain industry is mostly a hoax

#175

Post by mukundmr » Wed, Jul 05, 2017, 6:31 AM UTC

pif wrote: post #171

taneq wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Weight loss isn't "known intractable". Physically it's very simple, if an overweight person is physically prevented from eating too much, they'll lose weight, just like physically it's very simple to quit addictive drugs. And the drug analogy is a good one, because just like quitting drugs, you can't quit overeating (barring the aforementioned option of someone physically preventing you from doing so - which is liter…

> Weight loss isn't "known intractable". Indeed, weight loss is "simple", as you said. The problem arises when you have managed to get to your target and you realize that, short of amphetamines or similarly dangerous drugs, there is no known way to keep your weight stable with an acceptable life quality . Obese people are not stupid when they choose to keep eating; they've just learnt by experience that, unless you s…

I switched to one full meal a day and fruits / salads / soup for the other times. This takes care of hunger issues and helps with losing weight. Change of habit is required and it is not easy. Bariatric surgery can help, but it has it's own annoying side effects and long term (>7 years) reports aren't available widely.

Re: The $100B per year back pain industry is mostly a hoax

#176

Post by 1ba9115454 » Wed, Jul 05, 2017, 6:32 AM UTC

charris0 wrote: post #172

Had back pain (lower back and neck) for years, mostly I think due to being tall and poor desk posture. I used to spend a lot of money at the chiropractor/osteopath, and while they do give relief I don't see them as a long term solution. That said, I think they can be valuable for acute episodes. What cured my back pain is Yoga. Not overnight, not over a week, but months of adding strength and flexibility to body as a…

I had some issues myself and after some reasearch found that exercise is the best pescription.

I actually started weight training and cycleing and feel much better.

Re: The $100B per year back pain industry is mostly a hoax

#177

Post by teekert » Wed, Jul 05, 2017, 6:35 AM UTC

Me 3, exercise is the only thing that helps. 1 Hour a week boxing, average of 40 min a day on the bike (to and from work). As soon as I start taking the bus instead of the bike, the back plays up. As soon I don't de boxing for > 3 weeks, I have to start avoiding carrying my 4 y/o no my neck. It's really very reproducible.

Re: The $100B per year back pain industry is mostly a hoax

#178

Post by emdowling » Wed, Jul 05, 2017, 6:42 AM UTC

It is in our nature to want the quick, easy solution. That's what has allowed this and other health industries to thrive.

I injured my lower back quite severely 5 years ago while lifting something at work the wrong way. Entirely my fault. Physio, chiropractors, etc did not fix it in the long term - a lot of money spent on temporary fixes. Swimming and gentle weight lifting over the course of 6 months made a huge, lasting difference. Occasionally, I still feel some tightness in that region but a run or yoga session fixes it up very quickly.

Re: The $100B per year back pain industry is mostly a hoax

#179

Post by Dylan16807 » Wed, Jul 05, 2017, 6:57 AM UTC

taneq wrote: post #144

bigiain wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll vouch for the effectiveness of losing 30+kg (65+lb). Which only reduces the back pain problem for overweight people to a known-intractable weight loss problem... :-/

Weight loss isn't "known intractable". Physically it's very simple, if an overweight person is physically prevented from eating too much, they'll lose weight, just like physically it's very simple to quit addictive drugs. And the drug analogy is a good one, because just like quitting drugs, you can't quit overeating (barring the aforementioned option of someone physically preventing you from doing so - which is liter…

>Weight loss isn't "known intractable". Physically it's very simple, if an overweight person is physically prevented from eating too much, they'll lose weight, just like physically it's very simple to quit addictive drugs.

Locking people up away from food is even more intractable!

Re: The $100B per year back pain industry is mostly a hoax

#180

Post by pyromine » Wed, Jul 05, 2017, 7:01 AM UTC

femto wrote: post #16

I can personally vouch for the effectiveness of a morning routine of 15 minutes of exercise at home, targeting the pelvic muscles. The only equipment required is a floor mat, if the floor is hard. I started gently and naturally progressed to a higher level, taking the attitude that there is no hurry, because I'm going to be doing this for the rest of my life, so there is plenty of time to progress. My initial routine…

I'm a healthy athletic 20 year old and I was having back pain for a while, and when I finally went to the doctor they suggested it may just be an imbalance in the strength of different muscles in my back that I didn't properly train for the sports I participate in.

Gave me some exercises, and a month later back pain was all gone and my back felt stronger, with better posture. Crazy what can be done when you just have go for it