Myths and Facts of Chronic Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common, and worst, pains we have to deal with as we get older. But it doesn't only affect the mature, it can happen at any age, any place and any time, for various reasons. As a common problem, many people will suggest many solutions, so it's good to know in advance which are real and which are just rumors. Here is the list that will make that clearer:
1. Sitting upright prevents back pain - Myth.
While sitting hunched over does cause damage to your back, sitting upright can also cause pain. In order to minimize the damage caused by prolonged sitting, you should lean back once in a while and make a bow shape in your lower back. Plus, it's important to stand up once in a while.
2. No heavy lifting - Myth.
In most cases concerned with back pain, it's not the weight of the object we lift, it's how we lift it. A correct lift is one that you do from as close to the item as possible, kneel, still very close to the object, and lift with the muscles of your legs, not your back. Your back won't hurt as long as you don't involve it in the lifting, which you shouldn't.
3. Being overweight leads to back pain - Fact.
This is simple logic. More weight means more pressure on the back. Lack of back muscle will also make sure we can't support our own weight well enough. Keeping a reasonable weight will not prevent back pain, but it will surely prevent it from getting much worse.
4. Back pain is caused by injury - Myth.
There is something to this myth, but only partially. Back pain can be caused by many problems, such as disc deterioration, infection and even as the result of unlucky genes. Also, wrong use of the back over years can also cause chronic back pain, as soldiers, truckers and even kindergarten teachers (who lift the little kids all day) can attest to.
5. Bed rest is the best treatment - Myth.
In extreme back pain cases, where the sufferer is completely down for the count - there is no choice but to stay in bed. However, staying in the same position for a long time can make the pain worse and create more pressure on the back and spine. Consult an orthopedic. Perhaps you need to start physiotherapy.
6. Chiropractors can help back pain - Fact.
A Chiropractor, who can manually adjust your spine and massage your back, can really help your chronic back pain.
7. Physical activity isn't good for bad backs - myth.
A regular and fixed physical activity strengthens the bones, skeleton and muscles, if it is done correctly, of course. It can really prevent more serious back pain and is highly recommended. IN addition, structured physiotherapy can pave the way to relieving back pain after injury. The strengthening exercises you can do are the key to many forms of back pain.
8. Slim people don't have bad backs - Myth.
It's true that keeping a low weight may prevent some back pain, but it's very far from any guarantee. Back pain can come from genetics that have nothing to do with personal weight, and overly thin people can have more delicate structures that do not support the spine as well, resulting in... you guessed it - bad backs.
9. Acupuncture can help back pain - Fact.
Many who have suffered back pain have reported that acupuncture has helped them after all other methods have failed. Today, there are traditional medicine workers that use acupuncture as well as some doctors who have adopted this method and call it medical acupuncture.
10. It's better to sleep on a hard mattress - Myth.
Different people have different reactions to mattress hardness. A study in Spain showed that people who slept on a medium level hard mattress suffered less back pain than people who slept on a very hard mattress. If a hard mattress works for you, great, but if it isn't comfortable, you'll just have more back pain. So go with your inner feeling and the habits that work for you.
However, in any case of serious back pain or a worsening condition, you should consult a doctor!
