Relationship Of Low Back Pain And Balance Problems

Balance Problems Are Common In People With Back Pain

By Suzanne Stoke, Physical Therapist @ Exercise For Balance via www.exerciseforbalance.com

Balance problems and back pain go hand in hand with many older adults. Please see   http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now Medical researchers such as Dennis E. Enix, DC, MBA have investigated the correlation between low back pain and balance issues in geriatric patients. In his study, Balance Problems in the Geriatric Patient, Enix demonstrated that back pain and imbalance are very common among older individuals. When combined those two issues of unsteadiness and back discomfort can lead to a greater risk for falling and sustaining injuries for our senior citizens. According to Enix, Balance problems and falls are common among the elderly and are a leading cause of institutionalization in this group. Low back pain (LBP) is the most frequently reported musculoskeletal condition in the elderly and is a leading comorbid factor directly linked to the incidence of falls. Balance disorders in the geriatric population are often a multifactorial condition. While there is not a single solution to postural control problems, there is evidence that the most effective treatment strategies for balance disorders consist of a multimodal approach including a re-evaluation of medications, manual therapy, balance exercise, and behavioral modification programs.  Low back pain (LBP) is the most frequently reported musculoskeletal condition in the elderly, with a prevalence ranging from 19.7% in people over the age of 65, to as high as 40 % for individuals over 75. LBP is a leading comorbid factor directly linked to the incidence of falls in the elderly and is sharply on the rise; LBP prevalence has increased in the last fourteen years from 3.9% to 10.2%.  LBP in the elderly can involve a wide range of possible diagnoses and co-morbidities, including a high incidence of malignant or visceral causes and therefore necessitate a close review of systems in addition to the usual musculoskeletal examination.   Balance disorders in the geriatric population are often a multifactorial condition.  Weakness in the core stabilizing muscles, altered muscle activation patterns, loss of proprioception, and an inability to control normal postural sway can all result in decreased balance in the elderly. A decrease in physiological reserves as we age, limits the ability to react quickly to perturbations.

Association Of Balance Problems And Back Pain

Balance problems and back pain often lead to falls in the aging population. There are a number of senior balance exercises that can assist with both low back pain and balance issues. The first equilibrium exercise to practice involves learning to center your weight in the middle of your feet. By learning to center your body weight, you will not only increase the sensory feedback from your feet and ankles which leads to enhanced stability, but you will also improve your trunk alignment and posture which diminishes back pain. The next stability exercise that can be rehearsed is to stand on one foot. Single leg standing helps to challenge your balance reactions at your ankles and also helps to increase your core muscle strength, reducing low back pain. you can practice these equilibrium routines to overcome balance problems and decrease back pain by following the instruction of an experienced physical therapist in the exercise for balance DVD.

Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    For anyone struggling with balance problems and low back pain, please begin the best balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD. The  Balance DVD is an excellent tool to use at home or in a group setting. The Exercise For Balance DVD comes complete with the best balance and strength exercises needed to enhance senior fitness and to perform basic activities like walking, standing, stair climbing or to advance to high level activities like dancing and hiking. In the Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve balance, balance techniques and balance routines from a balance trainer (licensed Physical Therapist) who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 20 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

For all those who have imbalance and back pain, start balance exercises today with the Exercise For Balance DVD to improve balance and prevent falls.
For more information see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health-information/