Back pain is a common complaint. In fact, most people in the Philippines will experience low back pain at least once during their lives. Moreover, back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work.

On the bright side, you can take measures to prevent or lessen most back pain episodes. If prevention fails, simple home treatment and proper body mechanics will often heal your back within a few weeks and keep it functional for the long haul. Surgery is rarely needed to treat back pain.

Symptoms of back pain may include:

• Muscle ache
• Shooting or stabbing pain
• Pain that radiates down your leg
• Limited flexibility or range of motion of your back
• Inability to stand straight

Back pain that lasts from a few days to a few weeks is considered acute. On the other hand, pain that lasts for three months or longer is considered chronic.

Most back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self-care. Although the pain may take several weeks to disappear completely, you should notice some improvement within the first 72 hours of self-care. If not, see your doctor.

In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. Contact a doctor if your back pain:

• Is constant or intense, especially at night or when you lie down
• Spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain extends below your knee
• Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
• Causes new bowel or bladder problems
• Is associated with pain or throbbing (pulsation) in your abdomen, or fever
• Follows a fall, blow to your back or other injury
• Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss

Also, see your doctor if you start having back pain for the first time after age 50, or if you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or drug or alcohol abuse.

What causes back pain? Your back is an intricate structure composed of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and disks. Disks are the cartilage-like pads that act as cushions between the segments of your spine. Back pain can arise from problems with any of these component parts. In some people, no specific cause for their back pain can be found. Back pain most often occurs:

• From strained muscles and ligaments
• From improper or heavy lifting
• After a sudden awkward movement

Source: www.mayoclinic.com

For more information on physical therapy, visit us at www.bodytherafix.com.

Last November 8, 2007 FPD Asia Property Services, Inc signed agreement with HMC, Inc for the enrollment of its employees to MEDI-access program.

FPD Asia Property Services, Inc is the pioneer in property management services industry and is currently the leader with over 1.5 million square meters of gross floor area in its managed portfolio. The company has been a loyal client of Healthway Medical for years and been depending on it for its employee’s outpatient benefits. This year they have signed contract with Healthway for the MEDI-access program to manage their inpatient benefit as well.

(Sitting L-R: Ms. Alma Adriano – New Business Officer, Healthway; Ms. Noreen Arellano – Sales Manager, Healthway; Ms. Elizabeth G. Rabuy – Director and General Manager, FPD Asia, Ms Jaqueline Tañada-Tierra, Operations Manager for MEDI-access)

(Standing L-R: Ms. Jessica Petalver – HR Manager; Ms. Sarah Delgado – Building Manager (former HR Manager); Mr. Cris Bautista – Customer Care Officer)

Infocom Technologies, one of the fast-growing call centers in the country and the pioneer in the Philippine ISP industry officially enrolled its employees to MEDI-access last August 16, 2007 at The PLDT Building, Ayala Avenue, Makati.

Once an HMO user, Infocom Technologies decided to transfer their attention to Third Party Administration (TPA) wherein they could generate savings that would probably be impossible to attain under an HMO.

MEDI-access will be providing Infocom Technologies a TPA that will cater to the company’s healthcare needs plus the advantage of dealing with only one healthcare provider that will aid them with Annual Physical Exams, Corporate Clinic Services among so many others.

The highlighted event was attended by both Infocom and Healthway Medical executives. (L-R: Ms. Noreen M. Arellano, Sales Manager for Healthway Medical; Ms. Carmie S. De Leon, Sales & Marketing Director for Healthway Medical; Mr. Edgardo R. Bautista, President & CEO for Infocom; and Mr. Voltaire D. Manahan, Group Head, Corporate Solutions Group for Infocom)