Back Pain... Myths and Facts

Myths

1. ‘I'll be stuck with this pain forever’ - 90% of lower back pain cases recover within 6-12 weeks and less than 10% experience pain for >6 months 
2. ‘I need to get a scan on my back right away’ - Radiographic abnormalities are often not responsible for symptoms. After the age of 50, nearly two-thirds of normal individuals show degenerative changes. A scan is not necessary before commencing treatment of back pain. 
3. ‘I'm going to need surgery on my back’ – Only 1% of lower back pain cases require surgery. 
4. ‘I can't move or I will make my injury worse’ - Research has proven that bedrest or avoiding movement is more harmful then continuing normal movement as tolerated. 
5. ‘My back is out of place’- The spine is very stable and it is essentially impossible for a disc, bone or muscle to 'slip’ out of place. Research has also found minimal correlation between abnormal spinal alignment and pain. ​

Facts

1. A higher body weight increases the risk of lower back pain - An increased BMI places higher compression forces through the spine, increasing the risk of injury. 
   
2. Exercise helps reduce and prevent lower back pain - Studies have found that regular, targeted exercise can reduce back pain and associated disability by more than 50%. 
3. Physiotherapists can diagnose and treat back pain without referral from a doctor - While most people experiencing back pain visit their doctor initially, referral is not required for physiotherapists to accurately diagnose and treat lower back pain. 
4. Prolonged sitting increases risk of lower back pain - Similar to a high BMI, sitting results in increased compression forces through the spine (up to 60% increase), which over time may increase the risk of disc injury 
   
5. Pain medications are not essential to get rid of back pain - While pain medications can be useful in the short term to manage pain, they are not a good long-term solution and prolonged use may have harmful effects on the body.  ​

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References

Handa, R. (2019). Low back pain myths and facts. Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2019.05.024 
O'Sullivan PB, Caneiro J, O'Sullivan K, et al. (2020). Back to basics: 10 facts every person should know about back pain. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54:698-699. ​