Lifestyle

There is a lot of information out there regarding the influence of lifestyle on health. Smoking, drinking, poor diet and lack of exercise have clearly been shown to have negative effects on health. Some of the important diseases caused by poor lifestyle include, cancers, heart disease and diabetes to name a few. It seems however that not much is mentioned in regards to the association between lifestyle and musculoskeletal conditions. One common condition that we see at our clinics is lower back pain.

Back pain and lifestyle

Among the risk factors for lower back pain are: poor posture, bad lifting technique and being overweight to name a few. However cigarette smoking is also on the list. A number of studies have confirmed this to be true. The nicotine in the cigarette constricts blood vessels, and therefore less blood gets to the lower back increasing the risk of damage to the discs in the lower back. The disc provide the cushioning between the backbones (vertebrae), so when they are damaged, the backbones will wear away. Thus a patient with lower back pain who also smokes will be encouraged to give up smoking, not just to get rid of their lower back pain, but to increase their physical functioning and agility which are also victims of smoking.

Poor lifestyle: personal and financial cost

Such is the importance of the issue of lifestyle as it relates to health, that in 2009 the government launched a £275 million marketing campaign to curb the obesity crisis that the UK is now facing. It has been estimated that up to 90% of today’s children will be overweight or obese by 2050. Controversially a few years ago some ministers were calling for the NHS to refuse treatment for those with an unhealthy lifestyle due to the financial burden it places on the NHS. More recently there has been talk of a levy against unhealthy lifestyle. Whatever the opinion, it is clearly evident that this is an important issue, as treatment for lifestyle diseases such as diabetes which accounts for 10% of NHS expenditure is no longer a sustainable option.

Nutrition and health

Nutrition is important not only with regards to cancer and heart disease, but also musculoskeletal diseases. In one study, published in the October 12 1991 issue of the very well respected medical journal the Lancet, individuals with severe arthritis were placed on a plant based diet for an entire year. The results were remarkable. The number of tender and swollen joint decreased, the duration of morning stiffness was also down and grip strength was improved. So we must all now become herbivores? Well the research doesn’t quite say that, but it does show a correlation between diet and disease.

Exercise and health

Again, exercise, which is a lifestyle factor has many health benefits if carried out regularly. In one study it has been shown to have positive effects with those suffering with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients experienced a significant improvement in strength, fatigue and pain.

Other lifestyle factors and health

Other important lifestyle factors include water and rest, which play a vital role in the health/healing of the musculoskeletal system.

The natural way

Many patients that come to an osteopath are on medications such as non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs), to help relieve their pain, there is evidence that prolonged high doses of these drugs can play a part (albeit small) in the onset of a heart attack or stroke. Many medications can provide wonderful relief to painful muscle and joint complaints and we fully acknowledge this, we believe however that whenever a safe, natural and effective manual method of treatment such as osteopathy is available, this should ideally be sought.

Education is key

The true healthcare provider is one that educates. Education in right principles of health is still desperately needed. We therefore strongly believe that correct treatment methods for those in need should include encouragement in right habits of living.