As a practicing chiropractor for 30 years I've treated thousands of back pain cases. Can back pain be cured? There is no absolute answer. The best answer would be, "It depends." It depends on many factors. To name a few; the extent of the injury, the type of tissue involved, inherent muscle tone, rehabability of the affected and supporting area, pre-existing conditions, concurrent conditions, lifestyle, nutrition, physical requirements at home and on the job, recreation, bad habits such as smoking, and probably the most important of all is the expertise and experience of the treating doctor, and the patient's intent and committment to follow through with the advice/recommendations of their treating doctor. Many cases that can't be "cured" can, however be managed through changes in lifestyle mentioned above.

Back pain - is it always real - or just an excuse to avoid going to work? From personal experience I know it can be and I am sure in most cases is real. Having suffered from severe sciatic pains in my mid, late twenties, possibly attributed to a form of spondylitis, apparently an inherent genetic trait in the male members of my familly I know the reality. However I took little tiime off work, nor did my father, eldest brother and nephew, all who were more severely affected than I was. I do acknowledge that I have experience of genuine cases of back problems aggravated by work acitivities and possibly a result of inadequate manual handling training and awareness.

With all due respects - is back pain always real, or just an excuse to take time off work? Very difficult to prove but in many cases it is used as an excuse which is virtually impossible to disprove medically ; I accept that probably most are genuine cases having suffered from severe sciatic pains myself in my late, mid twenties, a suspected cause being a form of spondylitis. This was apparently a genetic complaint among the males of my familly. Having said that, I had minimal time off work as a result, as did my father, my eldest brother and my nephew who were all more severely affected than myself. But I am also aware of genuine cases of back problems caused by work activities which may have been a result of inadequate manual handling training and education.

I get them when I'm stressed, a hot bath always makes it better and lying on the ground does too.

I have fixed my back and believe many people can as well. I may not be like a lot of people but here's what worked for me. When I was 25, I hurt my back playing tennis - 2 guys had to literally lift me up and carry me to my bed. I was laid up for a week and was in excruciating pain. For the next 25 years, every December it would come back and I'd be in tremendous pain for at least a month - had to roll out of bed... the pain was unimaginable. Around the same time (50), I took an account of my health and realized that I needed to lose about 25 lbs. In addition to losing weight, I started reading Men's Health and realized that I needed to get into better overall shape. I started with my core ... doing stabilization exercises - no bend in the back - no crunches .. planks and other great exercises. In 6 months I lost 25 lbs and had a very strong core. I no longer needed the belt that I used because I was scared that I would hurt myself. I then ramped my workouts and go to the gym 3-4 times a week... alternating between weights / strengthening one day and cardio (1 hr) the next (taking one or 2 days off in between, depending on how I feel). Since starting my exercises 7 years ago, I haven't had one day with any back pain. My posture is excellent and my core is hard as a rock (can actually see my 6 pack). Now at 57, I'm in the best shape of my life. My workouts are full body - core - upper - lower body... my cardio is 20 min stairmaster, 20 min eliptical, 20 min treadmill. My core exercise is very intense as I do things like a pike (hang from a bar ... keep legs straight .. and bring them up to the bar). Very few people at the gym can do these exercises... most of the young guys like big arms and chest ... I prefer a completely balanced body... my theory is to be lean and strong as a rock. It worked for me and I'm sure it will work for many people out there that are sick and tired of the constant pain. It only takes about 3 hrs a week but it is a commitment. I also have a friend who's almost 80 who had excruciating pain in his back for 50 years - he use to get injections every 6 months. When he moved to a different state, he found a Dr that taught him how to do the proper exercises... he no longer has any back pain. I believe that for many people, they can definitely fix their problem by dedicating themselves to get their weight in line and strengthening their core. However, just fixing your core isn't enough... they need to build a balanced body... starting with the core... and of course, doing the proper exercises. By the way, I am a distributor for Cybertech Back Braces (www.innovate-inc.com) and many of the people who get the back braces are obese / overweight - it puts a huge stress on the back. As with many of conditions today, weight, diet, and exercise are the keys. Nothing new here as our population has become fat and lazy. With 2/3's of our population overweight and over 50% obese, it's pretty clear to me where the problem with back pain arrises - it starts in the core. At least, that's my take... I fixed my back!!!