Our newspaper had a press release from the National Pain Foundation that said back pain is on the rise in U.S. workers. What's causing this to happen?
There are several things to consider when looking at this question. First, is it true that back pain is increasing? How was this information determined? Good quality research studies have not been able to consistently come up with the same results when studying this problem.
Anytime a press release reports a trend of this kind, it's wise to look a little deeper. What is the basis for the claims? In this case, it turns out that the National Pain Foundation was presenting the results of two surveys paid for by a drug company. A drug company that just happens to have a pill to offer for chronic pain.
Always look for research results that have actually been published. And it's best if the studies are from peer-reviewed journals. This means the articles are read and approved by experts in the field. The research methods used in doing the study are examined carefully.
In today's market, it appears that survey science is being replaced by clever marketing. While there's no doubt that many American workers are getting older, there's no proof that this is the cause of increased back pain. It could be that today's baby boomers are more willing to report their aches and pains than previous generations.
« Back
All content provided by eOrthopod® is a registered trademark of Mosaic Medical Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Mosaic Medical Group, LLC and used herein by permission. Alteration of these documents in any way is a violation of the copyright.