1.Weak muscles, caused by a lack of exercise, are the first major cause of most back pain. The body acts as a unit. The lower torso is carried by the lower back muscles as well as the abdominal muscles. Likewise, the chest muscles, shoulder muscles and upper back muscles are carrying the upper torso. It is important to strengthen and stretch the major back muscles, like the lats, traps and erector spinae as these support the spine. An exercise programme needs to strengthen not only back muscles but also muscles in the front of the torso, the abdominal muscles in particular. The abdominal muscles (often called the core muscles) help to support the spine and upper body. These are the internal and external obliques (that run down the side of your waist), the rectus abdominus, that run down the middle of your abdomen (giving you a six-pack if youre lean).

2.Poor range of movement in the back muscles or lack of flexibility. This is also caused by lack of regular exercise. If you perform a sudden movement outside of your normal range of motion you can strain your muscles. For example, if you twist suddenly and your lower back muscles are inflexible, you are likely to strain these muscles. You need to stretch the muscles of the back regularly.

3.Tight muscles in the chest,shoulders and legs. As mentioned, the body is a unit, so you need to stretch and loosen connected muscles. Stiff shoulder muscles will likely cause neck and upper back pain. Tight chest muscles pull on the shoulder and then will cause shoulder and neck pain. The hamstring muscles and gluteal muscles, if tight, can pull on the pelvis, causing rounding of the lower back, and associated back pain.

4.Incorrect posture. Most of us sit for long periods, whether at a desk, on the couch or driving a car. Poor posture while walking or standing can also affect the back. For example,rounded shoulders when standing or walking will lead to upper back pain. The best way of correcting posture is to strengthen the muscles through exercise.

5.Picking up objects incorrectly. This is a common way of pulling and straining back muscles. Ive done that several times, as many of you have too. When picking up objects, let your legs take the weight. Bend your legs, not the back. Keep your back straight and don’t twist your body when carrying a heavy object.

6.Being overweight. This puts a lot of strain on the back. If you are overweight you are likely to also be less flexible, with a smaller range of motion. This will mean that sudden movements will be more likely to cause muscle strains.

A recent study shows that the number of people who choose to visit a complementary health practitioner has gone up by fifty percent over the course of the last decade. Who is a complementary health practitioner? Do complementary health practitioners work well with “regular” doctors? Isn’t a “regular” doctor adequate? What makes a person choose to go see a complementary health practitioner?

What is a Complementary Health Practitioner?

A complementary health practitioner is someone who offers medical/health services that can be used to compliment the treatment a person is already receiving from a “regular” medical professional. These professionals practice things like chiropractic medicine, osteopathy, physiotherapy, alternative medicine, acupuncture”things of that nature. Usually these treatments are meant to help the treatments prescribed by a “regular” doctor.

Why Would Patients Decide to Hire Complementary Health Practitioners?

Believe it or not sometimes “regular” doctors will advise their patients to seek the help of a complementary health practitioner to help speed the patient’s recovery process. Many physiotherapists, for example, work alongside regular medical professionals in hospitals and doctors offices. Patients are also referred to Osteopaths and Chiropractors for extra therapy.

Some people decide that they want to seek the help of a complementary health practitioner before seeking the help of a “regular” doctor and this is one of the reasons that the general population assumes that there is animosity between “regular” doctors and complementary health practitioners. The truth is that there are several reasons a person might choose to go the alternative medicine route instead of seeking the help of a doctor specializing in traditional western medicine.

The truth is that some people just do not trust a “regular doctor.” Some people believe that alternative medicine has a higher success rate than western medicine. Sometimes a person simply does not have the funds to visit a “regular” doctor and chooses to seek the help of a complementary health practitioner whose services are more financially acceptable.

What is the Relationship between Regular Doctors and Complementary Health Practioners?

Most people think that “regular” doctors and complementary health practitioners are rivals and do not get along. This could not be more false! Complementary health practitioners and regular doctors have a wonderful working relationship! This article has already mentioned that regular doctors will often refer their patients to a complementary health practitioner for extra therapy or additional treatment.

Complementary health practitioners will regularly refer their patients to “regular” doctors as well. Sometimes an osteopath, physiotherapist or chiropractor will send his patient to a traditional doctor for additional testing or to determine if a different course of therapy is needed”treatment that he might not be licensed to provide.