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Since
1948, residents of Framingham, Mass., have been subjected
to all manner of inconveniences in the name of science. The
Framingham Heart Study (FHS) has examined volunteers there
every two years, and data used during examination #22 (1992-1993)
were used for a first-ever study on the contribution of back
symptoms to overall physical disability in older adults.
Of the 1,710 surviving members from the original 5,209 taking
part in the FHS, 1,007 contributed data on back symptoms.
Subjects ranged in age from 70 to 100, and were surveyed regarding
pain, aching and stiffness. Researchers then asked subjects
about their difficulty in standing in place for 15 minutes;
walking half a mile; stooping, crouching or kneeling; lifting
a 10-pound object; entering and exiting an automobile; pushing
or pulling a large object; putting on socks or stockings;
extending arms above shoulder level; and writing, handling
or manipulating small objects. Any of these activities was
classified as a "functional limitation" if it could not be
performed or performed with difficulty.
 In all subjects, 18 percent to 34 percent of all functional
limitations were attributable to back problems; moreover,
women seemed particularly affected by these limitations.
Don't let back pain limit you! Your doctor of chiropractic
can help your spine "make friends" with the nine activities
listed above.
Reference:
Edmond SL, Felson DT. Function and back symptoms in older
adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
December 2003:51(12), pp1702-1709.
For more information on back pain, go to https://www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/backpain.html
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