Study Links Lifestyle Tweaks to Thousands in Low Back Pain Savings

Australian researchers have identified four free lifestyle changes that could slash thousands from annual low back pain treatment costs—without relying on pills or specialists.

A 12-month study published in Arthritis Care & Research found quitting smoking, exercising, improving sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight reduce treatment costs by 23% per lifestyle improvement.

Women incurred 76% higher costs than men for low back pain treatments, and better sleep alone saved participants up to $1,000 annually in out-of-pocket expenses.

Every one-point improvement in lifestyle score (0–2 per behavior) correlated with lower medication use and healthcare visits. Current smokers scored 'poor' on lifestyle scales, while non-smokers scored highest.

The study evaluated BMI, physical activity, smoking status, and sleep quality across participants.

Tiara Tian, a lead author, emphasized actionable steps: "If someone increases weekly exercise from 60 to 75 minutes, they'll save 23% on treatments." Senior author Paulo Ferreira added, "Smoking impairs circulation in the spine and surrounding tissues."

Paulo Ferreira said:

"Our study shows you only need to make small, achievable changes to reap real benefits."

Tiara Tian said:

"Good sleep means less waking up overnight and better rest overall."

Ferreira also explained gender disparities: "This is likely because women have a higher rate of low back pain, often take on family caregiver roles, and are more proactive about seeking medical care."

The findings highlight the importance of lifestyle modifications in reducing healthcare costs, though the study shows correlation, not causation, and results are based on human trials.

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