80% of us will experience back pain at some point during our lifetime, be it a dull ache or sharp pain. There is a lot of information to be found on back pain, some of it good… some of it not so good. We hope this article helps clarifies some of the common misconceptions you may come across.

Myth: Lifting heavy objects will injure my back

Fact: It is not the lifting of a heavy object that can lead to back pain but the way in which the object is lifted. Bend from the knees with your back straight and push through the feet and legs to stand back up. Hold the object into your body. Remember though, the heavier the object, the bigger chance you could lift incorrectly and injure yourself, so use judgement.

Myth: Bed rest or lying on a hard surface is the best cure

Fact: Rest is good, but lying down on a hard surface for a few hours, or in bed for a day may make the back pain worse. By keeping still, the muscles may tighten resulting in more pain. Take it easy but keep as mobile as possible.

Myth: I can’t exercise if I suffer from a bad back

Fact: This is probably the most common myth we come across. Exercise can help towards preventing you from experiencing back pain in the future and can be prescribed a few days after back pain. Speak with your chiropractor on which exercises are most beneficial and which to avoid.

Myth: I won’t get back pain because I exercise

Fact: Even though exercising is good for keeping back pain at bay, you may still injure your back at some point. You may forget to stretch and end up with pain through tight muscles. Your form may be off and you strain a muscle. Exercising is still good though!

Myth: I have to learn to live with back pain

Fact: Chronic, ongoing pain should not be a way of life. There is no one cause of back pain and in fact, your back pain may be caused by more than one factor. At Bryn Mawr Wellness, our treatment plans vary from patient to patient. There is no ‘one-fit-all’ cure. For example, it may be that one person’s pain is being caused by tight glute muscles while another person’s back is being aggravated by prolonged periods of sitting combined with stress. We will work with you to identify the causes of your pain then use the right technique to work on the root cause, not just the symptoms.