Physical activity is considered to have both detrimental and beneficial effects on LBP. On one hand, a common view among individuals with lived experience of LBP is that activities can trigger the onset or worsening of LBP (flares), and some occupational health studies attribute harmful effects to activities such as lifting and bending. On the other hand, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have found that exercise and activity-based interventions are generally beneficial for LBP prevention and treatment when studying longer-term outcomes up to 1 year after intervention.
Different perspectives on whether physical activities are harmful or beneficial for those with LBP might be due to differences in the direction and/or magnitude of the transient (short-term) vs long-term risks of activities on LBP outcomes. For instance, transient and short-lived detrimental effects of physical activity on LBP, such as the occurrence of a flare within 24 hours of activity, may occur alongside long-term beneficial effects of activity on LBP outcomes. This type of association is analogous to the current understanding of the effect of activity on myocardial infarction (MI): vigorous activity is thought to confer a transient increased risk of MI, alongside a long-term protective effect on MI that occurs with regular exercise.
While research shows that chiropractic care is an outstanding resource for relief of low back pain, chiropractic care also supports increased physical activity by enhancing joint mobility, reducing pain, and improving nervous system function.
Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com