Fear of back pain? Once you have had
it, you answer “yes!” Your Manchester chiropractor gets it. Manchester back pain and neck pain
patients do not want to experience that pain again.
Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries helps spine pain sufferers regain their confidence with encouragement and exercise.
FEAR AVOIDANCE DUE TO BACK PAIN
Back pain sufferers want to avoid
back pain if they have any options at all. That desire -
whether obvious or subtle, stated or just ruminated in the mind – establishes the situation for a behavior called
fear-avoidance. Patients with persistent spinal pain syndrome - post-surgically
induced or not – elicited high levels of
fear avoidance, anxiety, and depression. (1) Researchers explained
that the pain experience isn't just physical because
emotions, behaviors and beliefs are mixed in, too. Fear
avoidant behavior like fearing object lifting
grows and impacts 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 persons. Fear of lifting an object
with a flexed spine as described in a questionnaire was negatively
related with erector spinae activity to protect the spine from
injury. The proper way to lift has been discussed
for a long time. Lifting with a straight back has been described
as safer than lifting with a flexed back though research has not really
supported that while lifting with a lordotic posture has been reported
to result in more erector spinae muscle activity resulting in
muscle fatigue and pain. (2) Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries knows the significance
of handling fear avoidance and its link to better quality of
life.
HOW TO MANAGE FEAR AVOIDANCE
Researchers documented that back pain
sufferers today ‘get’ that they must keep moving but some require
a bit more support and encouragement to move and exercise due to 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 teach the back pain patient to be
physical in the safest way possible. (3) If you are that patient, Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries is
your trainer! 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 along
with reductions 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’s
work together to manage your Manchester back pain so it doesn’t control you.
CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Tom Menendez on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes the relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal
Pain Management for an older patient with back pain for whom fear avoidance is understandable.
Make your Manchester chiropractic
appointment soon so that if you are questioned whether 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."