5 Common Myths of Back Pain: Unraveling the Truth for a Pain-Free Life - Breakaway Physical Therapy
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5 Common Myths of Back Pain: Unraveling the Truth for a Pain-Free Life

Back Pain

Did you know that back pain is the most prevalent and debilitating condition affecting adults worldwide?

Back pain complaints, including aches, stiffness, and tightness, are widespread. Surprisingly, up to 80% of adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. It's a common issue with numerous misconceptions.

Many individuals endure back pain for years, facing challenges in finding relief due to various causes such as muscle strains, sciatica, osteoarthritis, herniated discs, and more. Identifying the true source of pain and root cause is crucial for effective resolution to back pain.

Discover the truths that can liberate you from back pain, allowing you to live life to the fullest without limitations. Let's debunk the 5 most prevalent myths surrounding back pain that might be hindering your journey to living your best life.

5 Common Myths

Myth 1

Time will heal all back pain if you just rest your body

The misconception that resting indefinitely is the solution to back pain is counterproductive. Inactivity can impede healing. Now we should avoid movements that take your pain to an extreme level until we are guided on how to improve these movements. BUT stopping all activity will limit your body’s ability to heal on its own. Our body, our muscles and cells need blow flow and oxygen to heal. We need circulation to our tissues around our spine that happens when we move. Even gentle exercise can drastically accelerate your healing when doing the correct ones for YOUR body.

As we age, injuries accumulate, and our bodies take longer to recover. Seeking expert guidance, like that from a skilled physical therapist, can accelerate healing through tailored exercises for you. We need to be shown the best exercises, movements, and ways that our body can heal and accelerate recovery from back pain, which is what physical therapists specialize in.

Myth 2

Poor posture does not contribute to my back pain

Posture matters. Prolonged periods in the same position, especially during desk work, can strain muscles and contribute to lower back pain. Our bodies were meant to move and not be stuck in the same position all day. So, the idea of getting a standing desk so that you don’t have to sit all day may not solve your problem. Just like sitting all day causes us to ache and we can get stuck in bad posture if we are not mindful of how we are sitting. You need to move through different postures and spend time in sitting and standing, walking, and talking and so much more.

Embrace good posture habits and seek advice from a physical therapist for proper workplace ergonomics. One of my favorite things to do and places to start with workplace posture is to have someone take a picture of you working from a profile view. You may be able to see changes that you can make instantly and then bring that picture to your physical therapist so they can guide you more specifically on tweaks that you can make in your work positions.

Myth 3

Surgery will fix my back pain

Surgery should be the last resort. However, we live in a society of instant gratification where we can get things at the drop of a hat. We don’t even have to walk into stores to get our shopping done, we can pick it up OR have it delivered to our doorstep while we are busy doing other things. Surgery can seem like a quick option that you will be put to sleep, a surgeon will do some great work on your back and you intent to wake up feeling incredibly better than before. Unfortunately, that is not always the case for people when they chose the route of back surgery. This can be a slippery slope of one surgery leading to many as the root cause is not fixed.

There is a time and place for everything in terms of surgery occasionally being necessary. Explore conservative treatments first though, as surgery often involves risks and may not guarantee a pain-free outcome. Committing to alternative solutions can lead to substantial benefits without the need for surgical intervention. You will also then learn how to take care of your body when working with a physical therapist no matter what path you head down for healing.

Myth 4

Injections will make my pain go away forever

Injections provide short-term relief and can be thought of as a band aide. They will mask your symptoms, but not solve your problems in the long run. Injections do not address the root cause of back pain.

At the root of back pain, muscles must be reminded how and when to contract to support our back, joints along our spine need to be more mobile and our alignment must be optimal to support our body when we move. Long-term relief involves addressing all these factors and more when working with a skilled physical therapist.

One of the most difficult things to understand is why our back pain started in the first place when we didn’t have a major event that we can point to. An injury, a fall, a car accident, or other events can be a clear catalyst for back pain. But what is harder to decipher are the small things that happen each day that are contributing to your back pain and will prevent it from healing fully. Consulting with a physical therapist to help you uncover all those small changes that you can make in your life to help your back pain is the best comprehensive approach to healing.

Myth 5

MRI’s always show what is wrong in the lower back

MRIs are an image of you lying down on your back, which for some people does not even hurt their body being in this position. Our spine starts to break down at the young age of 23 as we are not meant to live forever. Meaning it is normal to see some degenerative changes on imaging, but those changes are not always the cause of your back pain.

MRI images may reveal issues, but not all abnormalities correlate with pain. Many people with perfect-looking spines on MRI suffer from chronic pain, while others with abnormalities experience no pain. Understanding the limited correlation between symptoms and MRI findings is crucial for effective treatment.

Are you ready to break free from back pain?

Take the first step towards a pain-free life by consulting with our expert physical therapists. Call us at 410-721-6333 or email getbetter@breakawaypt.com for a FREE consultation. Let's discuss your goals and create a personalized plan for your journey to a healthier, pain-free you.

Don't let back pain dictate your life. Understand the truths behind these common myths and empower yourself with the knowledge to improve your well-being. We are here to guide you on your path to the highest quality of life, filled with joy, activity, and meaningful moments. Get moving and embrace a future without the constraints of back pain.

Shaina Clemons

Shaina Clemons

Shaina is the founder and owner of Breakaway Physical Therapy.  She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland Baltimore, along with a Bachelor's degree from Towson University.   Shaina is an Ironman triathlete, with a love of all sports. Exercise is her passion, which plays an important role in both her personal and professional life.  In her free time, Shaina enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children.  Shaina's love of snowboarding led her to her career choice many years ago. 
Shaina Clemons

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