Myths and Misconceptions of Back Pain

You will most probably have back pain at one point in your life. Back pain can occur along any part of the spine from the neck to your hips. Back pain is the leading cause of disability globally and a significant cause of people not attending to their daily activities. Injuries, activities, and some medical issues can cause back pain. East Brunswick back pain can affect you at any age. People will always have myths and misconceptions about medical conditions, and here are some of them about back pain.

Exercise will worsen back pain

The biggest misconception is that exercising will make your back pain worse. Exercise helps ease back pain. Physical activity stretches your muscles, ligaments, and tendons, which tightens due to injury, stress, or medical problem. In addition, exercise will strengthen your back and abdomen muscles, stabilize your spine, and provide additional support for your back. Your doctor can advise you on the best practices for your back pain.

Back pain results from injury

Injury is not always the cause of back pain. There are many causes of back pain, such as sciatica, spinal stenosis, and arthritis. Damaged discs of your lower back are the leading causes of back pain. Herniated discs can irritate and inflame spinal nerves causing back pain. Other conditions like kidney disease and pregnancy can cause back pain. Regularly lifting heavy substances in your daily activities can also lead to back pain.

Slipped disks are only treatable through surgery

Disk damage does not always need surgery. When your disk bulge or protrude, the damaged skin can improve on its own after some time. Ninety percent of patients with damaged disks improve gradually after six weeks. Your specialist will recommend treatment without surgery fast and use surgical means as the last option. Doctors will treat most chronic back pain through other methods rather than surgery.

Severe pain means major injury

The pain you experience may be more complicated than you think. Patients may be having the same problem, but pain levels might vary. The ability of the brain to sense and express pain is different among individuals. Personal, genetic, and environmental aspects will affect how you perceive pain. Recovery also varies in other patients based on the same factors. Severe pain does mean you have a severe injury.

Stress cannot cause back pain

Although stress is an emotional experience, it can cause physical responses. Stress alters breathing rates causing tension in your back muscles, leading to back pain. It can also cause poor posture due to exhaustion and make it difficult to engage in daily activities. Stress can also lead to tight muscles causing pain around the neck.

Do not lift heavy objects

The way you lift heavy objects is how it affects your back. Ensure you are as close as possible to the thing you are lifting. Squatting is the best position as it utilizes your legs more than your back. Do not exhaust your back or bend when raising. Additionally, do not lift items beyond your capability.

Talk to your specialist to learn more about the facts and myths of back pain. Schedule an appointment with Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, to conquer back pain for good.