HEAFNER HEALTH
  • Home
  • About
    • Testimonials
    • In the Community
    • Wrinkles Book
  • Request an Appointment
  • Services
  • Blog
  • Mobility Sessions
  • Home
  • About
    • Testimonials
    • In the Community
    • Wrinkles Book
  • Request an Appointment
  • Services
  • Blog
  • Mobility Sessions

Low Back Pain Misconceptions

5/23/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
Whenever a topic receives a large amount of attention, the good, bad, and ugly are all spewed into mainstream media. This often leaves the consumer lost and confused regarding the truth. Many misconceptions exist surrounding the causes of back pain and best treatment options. 

Misconception 1: The best treatment for low back pain is rest

When on bedrest, muscles atrophy at a rapid rate. Within 1 week of bedrest, the body loses 12% of it's muscle mass. At 3-5 weeks, the muscles atrophy over 50%. After a low back injury, it is necessary to get the spine moving to prevent muscle wasting, improve lymphatic drainage, and increase blood flow to the injured region. While rest is not the best solution, it should be known that if you are experiencing acute low back pain, excessive exercise can also prolong your recovery. My recommendation: graded, protective exercise. Perform gentle, non-threatening movements for the spine. Additionally, exercises like the recumbent bike or walking in a pool are excellent. Ultimately, let pain be your guide.

Are your currently experiencing low back pain?
Book A Physical Therapy Visit Now

Misconception 2: Back pain is pathological

Pathology is defined as the causes and effects of a disease. Back pain is not a pathology. It is merely a symptom. In fact in many instances the cause of low back pain is not the low back. Low back pain manifests because the areas surrounding the low back- primarily the hips and middle back- are stiff and tight. The low back is forced to take on extra stress thus becoming injured.

Misconception 3: Back pain means the back is weak

With low back pain, there is a tendency to believe that the spine is weak, fragile, or frail. These thought viruses keep people from returning to normal activities because of the fear that the low back is not stable. In reality, the low back is often very strong. The spine is meant to absorb large compressive forces. It will not break simply because you are now experiencing pain. Think strong! 

Misconception 4: Back pain is a normal part of aging

Back pain occurs because of a loss of stability or mobility somewhere in body. In general older people experience pain because they stop using certain muscle groups. For example, think about the last time your father (or grandfather) jumped? Or the last time he performed quick side-stepping movements as an exercise. Younger individuals naturally perform these movements when playing sports or running around with their friends. Older people simply avoid these activities and the result is pain.

Misconception 5: ​Disc herniations are the cause of my pain

While traumatic disc herniations can be the source of pain, many times a disc herniation is not the cause of one's pain. A 2014 study, found that >50% of individuals from 30-39 years old without low back pain had degenerative changes and bulging discs. The participants in the study were completely asymptomatic young people, yet still demonstrated some spinal changes! Disc herniations should be thought of as ‘internal gray hairs.’ Just as our body ages on the outside, it also ages internally. The internal aging process is natural and not the source of our pain

Considering disc surgery? Get a second opinion! A 2011 study was published evaluating the outcomes of individuals who had surgery vs. conservative therapy for disc herniations. While pain was reduced earlier in the surgical population, at 1-2 years of follow-up the outcomes were the same. 
Need corrective exercises to minimize your risk of low back pain? 
Schedule an appointment
Picture
1 Comment
Wallpaper Installation Vancouver link
8/11/2022 12:58:04 am

Grateeful for sharing this

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Heafner Health 

    Physical Therapy
    Manual Therapy
    Movement Specialists
    ​Pain Management

    Archives

    April 2022
    October 2019
    February 2019
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

    Categories

    All
    Clamshell
    Glutes
    Hiking
    IT Band
    Knee
    Running

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from imma-ty-grr, colros, WODshop, Rev Stan, -Jeffrey-, North Carolina National Guard, NeighborLink Fort Wayne, Artur Tomaz Photography, wwward0, Akuppa, Stewart Black, eccampbell, ArkansasOutside.com, ton.schulten