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Author: (English) Campbell / Zhao Jianning
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features:
· Answers 100 common questions about lower back pain with strong practicality;
· Includes 65 detailed medical illustrations;
· Provides diagnostic flowcharts for special symptoms and coping strategies.
The medical knowledge about lower back pain is developing rapidly. For example, before the 20th century, it was believed that sciatica was usually caused by compression of the spinal nerve roots. Another example is that until recently, bed rest was considered the standard treatment for acute lower back pain, believed to aid spinal recovery. Modern views, however, contradict this, advocating for as much movement as possible for patients. In recent years, there have been two key changes in the understanding of back disorders, and they are still evolving. Doctors often rely on so-called clinical guidelines for managing these conditions, but these only apply to recent lower back pain (acute) rather than long-term (chronic), as the latter is far more complex. Due to these difficulties, diagnosing and treating lower back pain can be challenging. It is best to first consult your family doctor to get a comprehensive evaluation of your current condition. Your family doctor may recommend seeing a specialist, such as a neurosurgeon, orthopedic surgeon, gynecologist, physical therapist, or even a psychologist. With the often unsatisfactory results of traditional medicine, more and more people are turning to alternative medicine. Doctors are gradually becoming more understanding of this, and in fact, some are even dedicating themselves to this field. The line between traditional and alternative medicine is blurring, and many patients report that unconventional treatments genuinely help alleviate their pain, though the effectiveness of these treatments lacks objective evidence. This field needs more research. However, in the meantime, we should all seek ways to manage the symptoms we may encounter. The purpose of this book is to answer the questions people commonly ask about lower back pain.