There you were, lifting your friend's heavy piano with your legs when you felt the pain searing and shooting from your lower back. You did everything you've been taught about back pain to prevent and heal it, but it is not any better. So, what happened?
Truth be told, what you think you know about back pain is probably wrong. At One Accord Physical Therapy, we seek to prevent injury through patient education and to heal it through non-invasive treatment. Learn the facts and the five most common myths about back pain from our team of physical therapy experts before you make it worse.
Contrary to popular belief, excess pounds are not the underlying cause of back pain. Although being overweight can restrict movement and contribute to the problem by adding strain to your back, it’s not why it happened.
If you find yourself dieting and restricting calories to shed excess pounds with hopes it will make your back pain better, any benefit will be minimal after the fact. Work on shedding pounds to prevent back pain from recurring once you’re feeling better. Rather, consult with your doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor for a proper diagnosis. That way, you can begin the most effective treatment for your condition.
Studies show that those with nonspecific causes of lower back pain should not stay bedridden to heal. In actuality, bed rest is considered counterproductive and might make your back pain worse.
Try slow, gentle movement and gradually increase activity as the pain decreases. Work with your physical therapist to develop a plan to increase your activity, boost your strength, and minimize pain.
If you are afraid to see a doctor because you are avoiding surgery at all costs, here’s a reason to go: Surgery is not recommended for lower back pain and is only a last resort. Studies show surgery can make back pain worse and is better off avoided.
Sure, good posture helps keep your spine and muscles strong and in the best possible position to prevent injuries from happening. However, poor posture is not the only cause of your suffering. If you’re worried about your posture, work with your chiropractor or physical therapist on strengthening and stretching exercises to help prevent it from happening later.
Although injuries are prevalent and familiar causes of lower back pain, degenerative and autoimmune diseases are also common origins. Whatever the reason, if you’re experiencing back pain, it’s always best to have it checked out by a medical professional specializing in back pain.
Understanding the myths surrounding back pain is vital to helping you heal what ails you now, but knowing the facts can help prevent it from happening in the future. Common causes of back pain include:
Only a back pain specialist can diagnose your back pain after a thorough medical examination. After your assessment, your physical therapist will work with you on a treatment plan that meets your unique needs. Your treatment will likely involve one or more of the following non-invasive methods:
The back pain experts at One Accord Physical Therapy are here to help you stand tall and heal your lower back pain as quickly as possible. So get your treatment started and schedule your consultation by telephone or with our handy online scheduling tool today.
