It may be relaxing to put your feet up every weekend, lie back and watch TV or read, but the downside in a few years could be severe back pain. Chiropractor Dr. Reid Robinson specialises in back care. “Fifty to 60 percent of the people I see, I am treating for specific spinal conditions,” he said. “The rest are a combination of various complaints such as shoulders, headaches, asthma, chronic sinusitis, TMJ syndrome, shoulder, elbow, knee, foot and ankle injuries and wellness care.”

Among his patients suffering with back pain, Dr. Robinson said most of are repetitive sprain and strain muscle injuries that happen as a result of sedentary living. He stresses that people need to be active and adopt good habits in respect of posture. This includes things like learning how to lift items properly, i.e. always bending at the knees. “Typically people sustain these injuries by spending too much time in bed reading or watching TV,” he said. “This can be exacerbated by slouching, turning your head to one side or lying on one side more than the other.”

Typically patients see marked improvement after about five treatments with Dr. Robinson.

He sees himself as a guide to help people back to health rather than someone who heals them. “The great thing about my profession is the person’s body does all the healing; we just facilitate it, and educate them on ways to speed up the process and avoid recurrences,” he said. “If people follow our recommendations and treatment protocols there is well over a 95 percent success rate in not only ameliorating symptoms but improving their musculoskeletal function.

“If there is not adequate improvement for the condition, I will re-examine the patient and consider utilising diagnostic imaging studies such as MRI, X-ray, CAT scan and ultrasound.

“If they do not respond to a change in treatment protocol then I will refer them to an appropriate health care provider for a second opinion.”

Most of his patients are in the 30 to 40 age group but he said he has treated newborns and has many elderly patients. Like physiotherapist Raina Steer (see article on this page), Dr. Robinson said there is clearly a correlation between age and type of injury.

“There is a higher incidence of slipped discs (more accurately defined as disc protrusions or prolapses) in 20 to 40 year-olds,” he said. “After that age discs tend to desiccate and harden. As expected there is a higher incidence of arthritic pain in the elderly that chiropractic is very successful in treating.” “In the 30 year olds we tend to see more repetitive strain type injuries such as carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, neck and back strains,” he added.

Ironically alongside the repetitive strain injuries, Dr. Robinson said he has noticed a higher incidence of disuse injuries here than when he practiced in the US. As the name suggests, these injuries result from the muscles not being used enough.

They may manifest as strain or sprains because when the muscles finally do get used they are not accustomed to the activity.

As a preventative measure Dr. Robinson advises: “Exercise vigorously regularly, eat as close to natural foods as possible, drink plenty of water and learn basic ergonomics.”

Asked if there is no hope for some people because they are genetically predisposed to back problems, Dr. Robinson disagreed.

And he warned that people should be careful not to attribute their back pain to genetics. “Our social upbringing plays a much great factor,” he said. “I stress to people regularly, that just because their parents may have suffered from back problems they do not have to. Usually children learn bad habits from their parents that are more provocative than genetics.”

Beware relaxing into a life of utter misery