According to a study funded by the U.S. Department of Defence, a regimen of core strengthening exercises was no better than traditional sit-ups for preventing back pain in soldiers.
However, combining both exercise programs, together with a short educational session on back pain strategies did lower the incidence of treatment for back pain.
Reported on the Air Force Medical Website, the prevention of low back pain in this military study involved over 4,000 soldiers. Participants were split into four treatment groups. Core stabilisation exercises, Core stabilisation exercises plus an educational session on back pain coping strategies, traditional lumbar exercises, or traditional lumbar exercises plus the educational session.
Researchers tracked participants incidence of low back pain over two years following the intervention. There was no difference in health care visits for back pain in the groups who received exercise only, however there was a 3% decrease in those seeking care for low back pain amongst those who had received the additional education program.
Well, you can make of that what you will. I suppose 3% of a large number of military personnel would translate into a considerable cost saving. As for us civilians maybe more education and knowledge about our problems could mean less pain.
Although I suspect most of us know pretty well as much as those treating us. If you want to read the full report click here.
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