1. For 80% of the population suffering back pain it doesn't matter who they see, or what type of treatment they receive: cortisone, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, or massage, it all helps. Thus in the back pain treating industry it is said that everything works. And everything does work - sometimes. That is why there are ten thousand guru's out there today claiming to have the answer to back pain. Everyone and their cousin has their guru that fixed them. I'm not here to dispute anyone's experience.
For 20% the pain becomes chronic, and it's half of those, 10%, that are on a slippery slope heading toward surgery because nothing is working and life is miserable.
Everything I'm telling you comes from fixing 10 percenters.
Here's a classic example:
A man, 50's, tells me his low back first went out on him 15 years ago. Chiropractic and physical therapy had fixed him up fine. Fifteen years later, while schlepping some luggage, his back goes out again. Only this time, a year of physical therapy and chiropractic wasn't getting the job done. He estimated 35 bad weeks to 15 good ones in the year prior. Life was miserable and he was unable to play golf.
Some regular treatments with me and he is pain free, playing golf, and holding stable. Haven't seen him in years.
2. The number one axiom of back pain is that it's self limiting.
Back pain, by definition, is what we call self limiting. If you do nothing it will go away on it's own. When young we're used to episodes of pain going away with a little rest.
When pain is interfering with every aspect of life for 6 months, a year, two years, people are at the end of their rope and susceptible to the surgeons advice. But the principle remains, if you did nothing long enough, it would die down to a dull roar. You may not have the abilities you once had, but it will die down. 2 examples are given.
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