Do you suffer from back pain? You’re not alone. According to the National Institutes of Health, back pain affects 80-percent of people at some point in their lives. While the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University reports that: “Nearly 65 million Americans report a recent episode of back pain. Some 16 million adults — 8 percent of all adults — experience persistent or chronic back pain, and as a result are limited in certain everyday activities.”
Back pain is not only common, it’s costly, with the same Georgetown study reporting that it is the sixth most costly condition in the United States, while it is the number one cause of missed work in the United States, with back pain resulting in 83 million missed days of work. So, it’s not just a pain in the back, but painful to people’s wallets and company’s bottom lines too.
Back pain can range from mild-to-severe, and from inconvenient to excruciating — but it is always undesirable. It affects quality of life, and can interfere with your normal everyday activities. If you have ever missed a day of work, or missed a family event, you know exactly what we mean.
Unfortunately, given the millions of people who suffer from back pain, it’s not surprising that many myths persist about what back pain is, and what the best ways to treat it are. Myths can lead to unnecessary fear, ineffective treatments, or worse, further pain and damage to your back.
We’re going to separate fact from fiction, and address four of the most common myths about back pain.
Myth #1: You should avoid exercise because rest is the best cure for back pain.
Fact: Sometimes, sleep really is the best medicine. Rest and relaxation are powerful treatments, especially when it comes to stress-induced mental and physical ailments. However, that is not the case when it comes to back pain.
Your body is meant to move. Prolonged rest, or worse, staying in bed, can actually weaken muscles and prolong recovery. This is one of the many reasons why sitting in an office chair for eight hours a day is so damaging. Low-impact exercises, movement, and physical therapy are oftentimes better because they can strengthen muscles and alleviate pain. In fact, even weightlifting can be helpful. By following proper lifting techniques, you can strengthen your back and core muscles, which prevents injury.
Regular exercise is beneficial for back pain and management. However, if your back pain is so debilitating and excruciating that you can’t move or even get out of bed without difficulty, it’s time to talk to us.
Myth #2: Back pain always means a severe injury or condition.
Fact: Most back pain is due to muscle strain, posture issues, or core issues, oftentimes caused by a lack of regular exercise or, as mentioned above, regularly sitting for multiple hours a day. It doesn’t always indicate an injury.
You may have also heard the myth that bulging discs are a serious medical condition. In fact, bulging discs are common (we see them on spinal imaging all the time) and oftentimes they don’t cause any pain whatsoever.
However, not all back pain is created equal. While most back pain isn’t a sign of something more serious, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor if your pain isn’t improving with light exercise or movement.
Myth #3: Back pain is just a normal part of aging and only older adults get back pain.
Fact: People of all ages can experience back pain. Trust us, we treat patients from 18 to 80. Back pain is often due to posture or lifestyle (sorry to be a broken record, but get up out of your office chair and exercise). Also, injury can also be a major source of back pain, especially for athletes.
Yes, age does increase the risk for back pain. But the good news is that back pain is not inevitable, and can be managed or even prevented with proper care.
Myth #4: Surgery is the only option for chronic back pain.
Fact: According to the World Health Organization, many cases of low-back pain are acute, not chronic, and will resolve on their own. Even most cases of chronic back pain can improve dramatically with non-surgical treatments like physical therapy or injections.
This is even true for herniated discs. Most herniated discs actually improve tremendously with non-invasive treatment measures. Surgery is usually only considered in the case of a severe back injury that won’t heal on its own. For most cases of acute back pain, surgery is only used as a last resort when non-invasive treatment measures have failed to alleviate symptoms.
Why separating fact from fiction matters for back pain.
It’s important to know the facts on back pain. Myths and misconceptions can delay proper care, leading to chronic back pain or other related issues. Yes, most back pain goes away on its own with proper movement, posture, and lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, more severe cases of back pain can get worse without early intervention by orthopedic specialists. Why suffer in silence or live your life in pain when expert help can improve your back pain symptoms significantly?
Now that you know the myths and facts about back pain, what comes next?
At the Orthopedic Institute of North Texas, we’re doing more than separating fact from fiction when it comes to back pain; we’re providing both surgical and non-surgical solutions for patients, guided by our commitment to compassionate care.
From physical therapy, to advanced, minimally invasive surgical procedures, to expert consultations from our orthopedic surgeons and support staff, we strive to provide the best back pain solutions for our patients — and have the positive reviews to back it up.
With multiple convenient locations around the North Texas area, our expert team is standing by to provide solutions to your back pain.
So if you’re ready to put your back pain behind you, and move forward with a life free from back pain, schedule an appointment with OINT today.