Better Backs by Better Beds?

Kim Bergholdt, DC; Rasmus N. Fabricius, DC; Tom Bendix, MD, DrMedSci - Medscape Today

A study was done to objectively evaluate 3 structurally different mattresses relative influence on patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

In several advertisements, it is proclaimed that certain mattresses have a positive effect on low back pain, and especially a hard mattress is commonly believed to have a positive effect.

One hundred sixty chronic low back pain patients were randomized to 1 of 3 groups, having a mattress/bed mounted in their sleeping room for 1 month. The beds were: (1) waterbed (Akva), (2) body-conforming foam mattress (Tempur), and (3) a hard mattress (Innovation Futon). At baseline and after 4 weeks, a blinded observer interviewed the patients on low back pain levels (0-10), daily function (activities of daily living, 0-30), and on the amount of sleeping hours/night.

Results: Both the waterbed and the foam mattress seemed superior to the hard mattress, especially when using the probably most relevant worst case data. There were no relevant difference between the effects of the water bed and the foam bed.

Conclusion: The Waterbed and foam mattress' did influence back symptoms, function and sleep more positively as apposed to the hard mattress, but the differences were small.

When looking for a mattress for your home, consider the following:

1. Better sleep at night leading to a greater sense of well being, which may affect the perception of pain during the day.

2. The back should probably be kept more or less in a neutral position, so that long lasting end-range positions of 1 or more tender spinal joints are avoided. To obtain this demand, the mattress should be appropriately soft, conforming body curvatures by having a reasonable capacity to equalize the pressure. How close the spinal posture should mimic that of the standing posture is unclear.

3. The capability of easy turning from side to side to avoid a painful loaded twist in the back.

4. A specific mattress may influence intervertebral disc nutritional flow positively or negatively as a function of spinal movement, because movement affects the discal metabolism. It is likely that the significance of this factor varies between those being sedentary or physically active during the daytime.

5. A waterbed and a body-contour foam mattress generally influenced back symptoms, function, and sleep more positively than a hard mattress, but the differences were small.

Products for Sale

Employees often inquire what they can use at home to help reduce daily discomfort. Listed below is an incomplete list of items which you may purchase directly from your on-site physical therapist at a reduced cost to you the employee. In connection with specified 1st aid measures your on-site therapist has for you, lets work together to help you work toward retirement. If you have an item which you do not see listed below, please email industrial@oneaccordservices.com or call 1-877-836-8652 so we can help you find that item.

Elasto-Gel Ice/Heat Pack

• Treatments last up to 30 minutes
• Tough, flexible gel covered with a soft four-way stretch material
• Attached elastic straps secure wraps to preferred treatment site
• Remains soft and flexible in temperatures down to -20° F
• Can be heated in microwave

Sombra

• Special blend of six natural plant extracts in combination with menthol, capsaicin and witch hazel
• Synergistic effect detoxifies tight, sore joints; and relieves arthritic pain, muscle soreness and inflammation; penetrates immediately; won’t stain clothing

Biofreeze

BIOFREEZE products can effectively help relieve pain from:
• Sore Muscles & Muscle Sprains
• Back, Shoulder, Neck Pain
• Arthritis
• Painful Ankle, Knee, Hip & Elbow Joints
• Muscular Strains

Cervical Pillows

• Help reduce difficulty sleeping and reduce neck pain
• Two lobes of different firmness—one medium and one firm for versatile support and comfort
• Convoluted foam between lobes gives support to head during postural changes
• Covered with washable polycotton fabric

Foam Roller

• Pilates, yoga, rehabilitation, and many other exercises can be enhanced with the addition of foam rollers.
• Use them to help develop balance, postural alignment, and flexibility or as support for dynamic strength exercises.
• Foam rollers come in various sizes and denseness, with the more dense rollers being ideal for self-myofascial release and massage therapy.
• Foam rollers are available in round or half round with the option of 12 or 36 inches in length to fit all levels of user's abilities and needs.

Exercise Tubing

• Progressive exercise system for improving strength, mobility and flexibility
• Economical
• Same great quality as higher priced name brands, yet easy on your budget
• Extremely versatile for unlimited exercise techniques and uses

Theraball

• Improve posture, muscle awareness
• Integrate stengthening and flexibility exercises easily
• Comes in different sizes to fit the individual
• Used diversly for balance traning

Stretch Out Strap

• Patented Stretch Out Strap assists with effective stretching without the need for a partner
• This type of stretching involves a combination of isotonics, isometrics, and prolonged stretch to achieve increased range of motion in the joints and improve flexibility in various muscle groups
• Muscular StrainsInstructional booklet demonstrates over thirty different stretches
• Muscular StrainsAlso available with 17-minute stretching video

Physical Therapist Offer Low-Cost Solution to Increasing Health Costs

Put out by the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapist for immediate release:

February 14, 2008

Health care expenditures for patients with spinal conditions are rising without an associated increase in health status, according to a February, 2008 research report appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study suggest that Americans may be wasting their money for treatments as the overall proportion of people with impaired function increased from 1997 - 2005, despite a 65% increase in expenditures to treat spine conditions...

"I think the truth is we have perhaps oversold what we have to offer," said Richard A. Deyo, a physician at Oregan Health & Science University in Portland and a coauthor of the report. "All the imaging we do, all the drug treatments, all the injections, all the operations have some benefit for some patients. But I think in each of those situations we've begun using those tests or treatments more widely than science would really support."

Particularly discouraging in this recent report was an increase in pharmaceutical expenditures of 171% during the study period. This suggest that physicians are over-utilizing an ineffective treatment for spine pain.

"You have drugs, you have surgery, or you have us," explained Flynn. "The reality is that very few treatments have shown the ability to truly affect patients with spine conditions. Physical therapists can do just that.

A separate study in 2006 demonstrated that patients with back pain were experiencing an increase in the rates of imaging and injections, meanwhile realizing a significant under-utilization of physical therapy.

For more information on the benefits of physical therapy and what they can do for you within the bounds of on-site physical therapy or for your family, please seek out your on-site physical therapist or call 1-877-836-8652

Memorial Day Push - 2008

During this next upcoming Memorial day holiday, and the weeks in preparation for Memorial day, lets keep safety in mind. If you experience increased discomfort please notify your DSL/Resource.Remember to take a few extra minutes to stretch, and keep yourself hydrated with the increasing temperatures. Heat related cramping and muscle fatigue associated with increased hours are very common during this time of year. Please seek out your on-site therapist or safety point for further guidence. Here is a simple, but effective stretch for you to do during your work day. Stop, with hands on the waist, gently lean back displacing your upper body behind your hips. Most patients view this as back stretch, however, this is actually a stretch for your abdominal muscles. This is a great stretch to facilitate an upright posture. Repeat several times with out pain. Please see your on-site therapist for more stretching options.