The human skeleton is unique in the animal kingdom, as it is designed by nature for a lifetime of bipedal movement. This reflects in several features of our skeletons, such as an S-shaped spine, long leg bones, arched feet, and an upright pelvis. This gave our early ancestors some advantages in the wild, although walking upright for an entire lifetime can take its toll on the body. Fighting gravity like this, and putting the entire body’s weight on two legs, results in chronic back pain and distress in the hips, knees, and ankles. Fortunately, today’s medical industry is ready to help, and the most serious cases may call for surgery. Meanwhile, many people who experience back pain or spinal issues may opt for non invasive methods, such as rehab tools and systems at a hospital (physical therapy tools like muscle strength testing equipment and others). Physical assessment software from physical therapy tools such as motion capture cameras can help, too.
What to Know About Back Pain
Lower back pain and spinal issues are common around the world today, and thus modern surveys and studies often track when and why people experience distress with their backs. The numbers show that in the United States today, one in three women and one in four men suffer from back pain, and experts say that as much as 80% of the American population may suffer from back pain issues at some point in their lives. Nearly 50%, or half, of all working Americans admit to getting back pain issues, and at any time, close to 31 million American adults are experiencing back issues like these.
What is causing all of these back pain cases? For one, simple old age can distress a person’s back, since decades of walking upright and fighting gravity takes a toll on the spine. The vertebrae collapse on one another, and that can limit mobility, stress muscles, and cause pain. This may certainly alter the person’s posture, too. Meanwhile, many people who suffer an injury, such as a sports accident, may experience back issues, and many surveyed Americans also blame ongoing stress for their back issues. Pregnancy may also distress a woman’s spine, and of course, years of hard manual labor (such as construction) may wear out a person’s spine and back muscles. When back pain strikes, physical therapy tools and chiropractors are there to help.
Rehab in a Hospital
A hospital patient may have issues with their spine and some of their joints, and such joint issues may limit their muscle strength, their mobility and arcs of motion, and more. These patients may also be experiencing pain, so physical therapists at the hospital will be there to help. The patient may get help with getting used to walking or other motions, and they may use physical therapy tools such as stretch tests so that the therapists can measure the patient’s recovery. Motion capture cameras may also be used, which track the patient’s movements and measure them in programs that the therapists can refer to. Proper therapy can help a patient erase their pain and ease pressure on joints and nerves, while the patient’s arcs of motion and their muscle strength may be restored.
Chiropractors and Yoga
A patient might not need to visit a hospital to get help wi9th lower back or spinal issues. A concerned patient may visit their private physician and/or a pain clinic and explain their problems, and the patient may get medication or get referred to a chiropractor or a yoga expert. A chiropractor may use basic adjustment tools and even their bare hands to readjust a patient’s bones and muscles, which can relieve pressure on nerves and joints to erase pain and restore arcs of motion.
That’s not the only option. A patient may look online for local yoga studios or have their doctor refer them to one, and the patient may sign up for private sessions there. With natural bends, poses, and stretches, the patient may loosen up their bones and muscles, which can also relieve pressure on joints, nerves, and muscles and restore full flexibility. This can help erase pain in the spine, shoulders, neck, and more if done properly over the course of multiple sessions.
