”Why does my back hurt?”
If you find yourself asking this often, you’ve probably also done your share of reading on the issue. There’s a wealth of information online about back pain, but conflicting answers can sometimes make it hard to discern the truth. In the interest of separating fact from fiction, we’ve compiled some common back pain myths to help you get straight answers.
Posture Isn’t Everything
One of the common back pain talking points is posture. Listening to the way it’s discussed, you might be led to believe that improving your posture is a magic cure for your back pain, but in reality it’s only part of the solution. Many factors contribute to back pain – everything from physical factors like exercise and smoking to mental factors like stress and job satisfaction. Additionally, a critical review of over 50 back studies determined there was no correlation between posture and pain. In short, posture is just one piece of the puzzle, and improving it will not suddenly cure your back pain.
Exercise Won’t Necessarily Make Bad Backs Worse
Have you received any warnings to avoid exercise while experiencing back pain? You may need to take a second look. While exercising carelessly will definitely hurt you, careful exercise under the guidance of a licensed therapist can strengthen the muscles that support your spine. Ask about simple exercise that can help alleviate spinal pressure and pain.
Treatment Doesn’t Always Mean Surgery
If you want to get your back looked at but fear going under the knife, don’t worry. The majority of back pain issues do not require surgery. Also, a good spinal health professional will only look towards surgical procedures as a last resort. It depends on your personal medical history, but back surgery is mainly reserved for those patients who have exhausted all other treatment options.
Be Smart With Bed Rest
The value of simply staying in bed might be the oldest of common back pain myths. However, new research is starting to show that just lying in bed to rest a bad back may not be as beneficial as we once thought. While bed rest is fine in moderation, being too sedentary can lead to decreased muscular strength and general feelings of lethargy. A sensible balance between gentle activity and periods of rest are far better than spending the whole day in bed.
The Verdict Is Still Out On Genetic Risk
One commonly asked question is whether or not spinal health concerns are hereditary. While many studies have been done over the past few years, the scientific community has yet to reach a consensus on the role of genetics in back pain. At most, certain genetic markers have been identified as risk factors, but medical professionals are adamant to point out that this correlation does not necessarily equal causation.
Do you still have questions about your back pain? Have other treatments you’ve received failed to do the job? If so, contact Texas Spine Clinic today. We are the San Antonio leader in non-surgical, chiropractic care for injuries of the back, neck, and more. Call us today to schedule a consultation!