Experts Offer Free Back Pain Advice Feb. 15

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Sunday, February 11, 2007; 12:00 AM

SUNDAY, Feb. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Baby boomers plagued by back pain can get free, expert advice from a national hotline on Thursday, Feb. 15, sponsored by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

During hotline hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, physical therapists will be available to answer callers' questions about injury prevention, exercise and ways to prevent back pain. The toll-free number is 1-877-633-3278.

Back pain is a common complaint among middle-aged Americans as they deal with hectic daily schedules, increasingly demanding jobs, and caring for children, grandchildren and aging parents. Boomers, who account for a quarter of the U.S. population, tend to have more active lifestyles than previous generations.

"Baby boomers are as active as they were when they were younger, but now they're living with chronic low back pain or osteoarthritis. These conditions as well as others can benefit greatly from physical therapy intervention," Jennifer Gamboa, a private practice physical therapist in Arlington, Va., said in a prepared statement.

"Frequently, patients may unknowingly exacerbate their (back) pain by exercising improperly or by having poor posture," and physical therapists can help identify and correct those behaviors, Gamboa said.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about back pain.

SOURCE: American Physical Therapy Association, news release, February 2007