In 1946 a group back clinic was organized by Barbara Stimson, M.D., at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. The clinic comprised orthopedic surgeons, neuro-surgeons, neurologists, internists, rheumatologists, psychiatrists, radiologists and specialists in physical therapy who cooperated in the examination of over 3,000 patients. This constituted a much broader spectrum of patients with back pain than would be found in a referred specialty practice. It was found that only 17 percent of all patients examined demonstrated an organic lesion such as intervertebral disc disease, rheumatoid arthritis, benign or malignant tumor, and infection or fracture. The remainder, approximately 80 percent, showed no such pathological conditions. However, these "healthy patients" failed one or more of six tests of strength and flexibility of key postural muscles. The Kraus-Weber tests were used for this evaluation to check minimum muscular fitness of individuals to see if they were strong enough to manage body weight, and flexible enough to deal with body size.

Although millions of people suffer from low back pain, it is not the baffling malady it is sometimes portrayed to be. Most backaches are attributed to an acute strain or trauma resulting from an attempt to lift something or an injudicious movement. Careful investigation, however, frequently reveals that the precipitating incident was coincidental; the real cause being chronic tension, stiffness, and weakness of key postural muscles induced by stress, especially in individuals in whom these muscles are weakened by inactivity, tension and lack of exercise caused by sedentary lifestyle.

Today's modern lifestyle has caused an overwhelming increase in low back pain. The technological revolution requires more people to sit in front of a computer all day which is further aggravated by the necessity to drive to and from the workplace. With increased stress on the individual the problem is generally compounded by a need for the majority to sit in front of a TV all evening and individuals soon lose muscle strength. As pain sets in, the sufferer then loses all incentive to exercise, which further complicates the back problem. When back pain becomes an unbearable, crippling and debilitating experience, it is extremely tempting to go for the invasive surgery that promises a quick fix for the excruciating pain. The preventive solution is a click away - Book A Seminar