I have many enlightening conversations with our clients in the office. It is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job! I often find that individuals are misinformed about their back pain. The following are some of the most common myths I have come across in our conversations.
Back pain is normal as you age.
This could not be further from the truth! Although most people will experience back pain at some point in their life, it should not be considered a normal part of life. As people age, they become more likely to experience back pain. This is due to several factors such as decreased muscle mass, decreased disc space in the back and in many cases decreased activity level. Obtaining chiropractic care is critical to ensure spinal alignment is optimal. My office frequently sees seniors that are free of back pain. Even individuals in their 80s and 90s can live without back pain.
Surgery for my back pain is inevitable.
Rarely, surgery is necessary to resolve low back pain. The clear majority of back pain is successfully treated conservatively with chiropractic care, massage therapy and in some cases, physical therapy. I always encourage clients to pursue the most conservative, least invasive options prior to even considering surgery. When individuals are patient with conservative treatment, they are very happy with the outcomes and grateful that they did not seek surgery unnecessarily.
My back pain is just from changes in the weather. It will go away as soon as things warm up and dry out.
There is no doubt that the weather impacts are musculoskeletal system. Cold, damp conditions predispose us to aches, pains and muscular symptoms. Drastic changes in barometric pressure can exacerbate these things. However, back pain should never be considered normal. When changes in the weather cause back pain, the problem is not the weather, it is your spine! Get your spine checked so you can live every day without pain regardless of weather conditions.
My trainer said that when my core strength gets stronger my back pain will go away.
Core strength is very important for spinal health. In some cases, it is critical to achieve positive changes in the spine. However, suggesting that strengthening the core is a single all-inclusive solution to back pain is inappropriate. It’s the equivalent of suggesting that flossing more will solve all your oral hygiene issues. In fact, flossing is a major part of dental health, but there are many other factors (brushing, diet, etc.). If you are having back pain, you should consider strengthening your core. However, first seek a chiropractor to receive a complete multi-faceted solution.
