A published study showed that advice and training on working techniques and lifting equipment does not prevent back pain in jobs that involve heavy lifting. The study included analysis of randomised trials (17,720 participants) with follow-up time from six months to 5.5 years. Cohort studies (772 participants) were followed for eight weeks to two years. The outcome measurements included back pain, consequent disability, or sick leave. These findings challenge current widespread practice of advising workers on correct lifting technique. Many health professionals are involved in training and advising workers on lifting and handling. Even though there may be other reasons to continue this practice, this review does not provide evidence that it prevents back pain. The article stated that there needs to be new and innovative ways to prevent back pain1.
As we age, nerves and muscles subjected to trauma do not recover well depending on the duration, intensity and time since trauma. In fact, just the activities of daily living alone can cause trauma to spinal nerve roots with subsequent partial reversible and irreversible denervation leading to muscle shortening and tightness. If reversible denervation can be immediately treated, preferably within 24 hours, there is a potential chance for a cure for the nerve.
However, if the nerve is not allowed to heal, this will be a setup for new injuries especially when the person is exposed to repetitive lifting and handling. Every new injury reduces the chance for injured nerves to fully recover. When the window of opportunity for nerve recovery is exceeded, the nerve progresses into irreversible denervation and this cascade of events can develop into chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain that last longer than three months.
Patients undergoing eToims® Twitch Relief Method, a new and innovative way of treating and preventing back pain, return for treatments on a weekly basis so that new nerve injuries are immediately stimulated electrically. This stimulation releases the tourniquet effect of the tight muscles on intramuscular nerves, blood vessels allowing them to heal.
Kari-Pekka Martimo, Jos Verbeek, Jaro Karppinen, Andrea D Furlan, Esa-Pekka Takala, P Paul F M Kuijer, Merja Jauhiainen, Eira Viikari-Juntura: The effect of training and lifting equipment for preventing back pain in lifting and handling. NEJM, February, 2008.