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

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

#191

Post by DanBC »

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.

Here's a recent good study from a reputable source showing acupuncture is more effective than placebo for some types of long term pain.

I agree that it's frustrating to see so much anecdote in threads like these.

https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/portal/article/4000672/acupun...? Kindutm_content=buffered7fb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

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

#192

Post by heisenbit »

specialist wrote: post #147
deelowe wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd love some help. How did you find someone who could actually give you some sort of prognosis/diagnoses? Mine just say either "more PT" or "here's some pills." Neither work. My disc is budged and it seems like moving the wrong way will trigger 2-3 days of intense pain and immobility. No one seems to offer any suggestions on how to fix it. Is it fixable? I don't know... P.S. the back pain industry is a sham, but the…

My number one advice is to not accept "No". Someone out there has an answer for you. Keep asking, educating yourself, searching. Dr. Srinivasan in Seattle did my spinal fusion. She's the best. http://seattleneuro.com/about_dr-srinivasan/ If you are trying to find a neurosurgeon near you... Ask Srinivasan for a referral. Or find other doctors that learned, practiced, taught where she did (birds of a feather).

I'm all for being relentless when searching for answers. And then for relentless researching and checking them.

It is important however also to hear the "No", as the article explains: Most doctors would say "No" when it comes to their own backs. There are certainly a lot of spine doctors out pushing procedures but anyone who is on the desperate search for a solution likely also heard from another doctor the word "No" and did not properly listen. Understanding the "No"s is important to weight the alternatives and risks.

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

#193

Post by a_imho »

mcbobbington wrote: post #49

I think a medical license is a total joke. Now instead of quacks peddling snake oil, we get extremely expensive quacks with diplomas peddling snake oil. My wife has back pain and we paid for a $1000 injection the doctor recommended that did nothing.

Total joke is an exaggeration, but they are indeed guilty of pushing medications and expensive medical procedures as symptomatic treatment.

Still, he most frustrating aspect imo is they act as gatekeepers of (effective) drugs and sick leaves.

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

#194

Post by gcb0 »

what is it that cause so much back pain in the USA?

anecdotal evidence, but after a few years there I had weekly visits to chiropractic just to function. one week out of the country, anywhere else, and I am good as new again. back to the usa, back to chiropractic. I already tried to change everything I can think of. even doing more exercise in the us caused a nerve pitch that was hell.

why? why?

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

#195

Post by Johnny555 »

hiisukun wrote: post #97

At one time someone close to me was experiencing back pain, we both saw a lovely episode of the TV series 'Louie'. Here is a quote from that episode: Dr. Bigelow: What can I do for you? Louie: Uh, well, I hurt my back today really bad. Uh. Can you help me with my back? I mean... Dr. Bigelow: What's wrong with your back? Louie: It hurts. Dr. Bigelow: My professional diagnosis is your back hurts. Louie: Well, what can…

Unless humans with back pain procreate less than those without, then I doubt it's going to get any better in 20,000 years. At least not due to evolution of the human skeleton.

Technology may help though, assuming we don't do something stupid and stop our technological progress. (like, for example, electing a president that thinks saving money in the short term is more important than long term sustainability)

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

#196

Post by gcb0 »

qazpot wrote: post #159
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 have also found sleeping on a hard floor very effective in preventing back pain.

there are firm mattresses :)

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

#197

Post by uptownfunk »

Not to sound hippy, but yoga-asana has really worked for me. I initially just started with 20 minutes a day and it's worked wonders. Just the starting sequence of the ashtanga series is enough to reap massive benefits. Obviously, check with your doctor and your health before starting this. Yes this is anecdotal experience, and yes it may not work for everyone, but it certainly helped me, so paying it forward with the hopes it will help someone else.

Would begin with a few rounds of sun salutations, and the fundamental positions. And of course, get a teacher and/or proceed very slowly and very carefully, as with many exercises, you can injure yourself if you don't do it correctly.

You can youtube any of the positions in the pdfs below and get quite detailed explanations on how to do them properly.

https://www.ashtangayoga.info/fileadmin/01_Praxis/04_Downloa... https://www.ashtangayoga.info/fileadmin/01_Praxis/04_Downloa...

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

#199

Post by nradov »

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…

Why do people consider mild hunger to be something that seriously impacts their quality of life? Hunger is the natural state of all animals.

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

#200

Post by nradov »

gcb0 wrote: post #194

what is it that cause so much back pain in the USA? anecdotal evidence, but after a few years there I had weekly visits to chiropractic just to function. one week out of the country, anywhere else, and I am good as new again. back to the usa, back to chiropractic. I already tried to change everything I can think of. even doing more exercise in the us caused a nerve pitch that was hell. why? why?

obesity and sedentary lifestyles
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