Fear of back pain? Once you’ve experienced
it, you answer “yes!” Your Ashburn chiropractor gets it. Ashburn back pain and neck pain
patients do not want to feel that pain again.
Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn helps spine pain sufferers get their
confidence back with encouragement and exercise.
FEAR AVOIDANCE DUE TO BACK PAIN
Back pain sufferers want to avoid
back pain if they can help it. That desire -
whether obvious or subtle, stated or just ruminated in the mind – establishes the situation for a behavior called
fear-avoidance. Patients with persistent spinal pain syndrome - post-surgically
caused or not – provoked high levels of
fear avoidance, anxiety, and depression. (1) Researchers explained
that the pain experience is not just physical as
emotions, behaviors and beliefs are involved as well. Fear
avoidant behavior like fearing the act of lifting an object
grows and impacts muscle behavior without realizing it. A recent
study compared fear-avoidant beliefs and the use of lumbar paraspinal muscle activity while lifting in
both back pain and in pain-free persons. Fear of lifting an object
with a flexed spine as documented in a questionnaire was negatively
related with erector spinae activity to protect the spine from
injury. The proper way to lift has been debated
through the years. Lifting with a straight back has been portrayed
as safer than lifting with a flexed back though research hasn't necessarily
supported that while lifting with a lordotic posture has been reported
to result in more erector spinae muscle activity giving rise to
muscle fatigue and pain. (2) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn knows the importance
of managing fear avoidance and its link to better quality of
life.
HOW TO MANAGE FEAR AVOIDANCE
Researchers noted that back pain
sufferers today ‘get’ that they must keep moving but some require
a bit more support and encouragement to move and exercise because
of a lack of confidence in their bodies’
ability to exercise without triggering pain. The healthcare
provider not only can give the latest findings on
pain control but also coach the back pain patient to be
physical in the safest way possible. (3) If you’re that patient, Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn is
your coach! We’re a team and can help you move better
and with less fear and deliver gentle, relieving spinal
manipulation. 12 weeks of chiropractic manipulation and exercise for older adults with chronic back pain boosted
their self-efficacy and fear-avoidant behaviors along
with reductions in disability. A 30% or more reduction
in the Oswestry Disability Index suggested positive response to
care. (4) The more engaged a patient is with treatment, the greater the influence
on the feeling of self-efficacy and disability reduction. (5) Let us
work together to manage your Ashburn back pain so it doesn’t control you.
CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Tom Menendez on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
illustrates the relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal
Pain Management for an older patient with back pain for whom fear avoidance is understandable.
Make your Ashburn chiropractic
appointment today so that if you are questioned whether you fear back pain, you can say “no”!
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."