Common myths about chronic back pain

• Rest helps to relieve back pain: Patients with back pain rarely require rest for more than 1-2 days. On the contrary, recent studies have shown that bed rest can actually aggravate back pain. It is important to know that in most cases, muscle stretching exercises, swimming or walking helps to remove the discomfort and get you in better shape.
• All slipped discs require surgery: The bottom line of any type of spine surgery is : If at all possible, don’t do it. In most cases, a number of noninvasive therapies or advanced pain interventions can take care of the pain.
• Back pain is not a lifestyle disease. Back pain is very much a lifestyle disease. Respecting an active lifestyle, slight warming of the body before exercise, weight control, posture precautions and smoking cessation go a long way in preventing chronic back pain.
• Back pain worsens with age. No. On the contrary, the incidence of low back pain is usually greatest between 35 and 55 years of age.
• Chronic back pain persists throughout life: Chronic back pain is not a life sentence. With proper management of discomfort and better prevention of symptoms, patients with chronic back pain can maintain their back in top form.