Back pain is a common health complaint and many myths and misconceptions surround the causes, effects and treatments of pain. Here is the truth about some of the common myths about back pain.

Myth #1: Exercise makes back pain worse
Many people avoid exercise thinking it would make their back pain worse. However, exercise does not make back pain worse. In fact, it helps to ease back pain by –
• stretching muscles, ligaments and tendons that may have tightened due to stress or a medical condition
• strengthening back and abdomen muscles, which stabilize the spine and provide additional support for the back

Daily moderate exercise is recommended. To exercise safely, consult a skilled physical therapist.

Myth #2: Rest is best for back pain
This is one of the biggest myths about back pain. Lying down alters the back’s structures and alignment leading to more back pain. For example, the spinal discs may absorb fluids and swell. Laying down may also alter the spine’s curvature and flatten it. this is why even those with no back pain may complain of back pain after staying in bed too long. Reducing physical activity to soothe back pain is not a good idea, and may lead to even more issues, like weak muscles, in the long term.

Myth #3: Severe back pain indicates a serious medical problem
Back pain can vary from mild to severe. You may fear that severe back pain means something serious but the pain may often be due to less serious issues, like a pulled muscle during an activity, like lifting or twisting.

Myth #4: Bulging discs are very serious
Bulging discs become common as people age. A bulging disc may not always cause back pain. It may cause pain when it compresses nearby nerves. However, a bulging disc can often be treated with NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory medications), and light exercise. Bulging discs can become a serious problem when the disc is near herniation or the impingement on nerves creates numbness or weakness in the lower extremities or loss of bladder control.

Myth #5: Pain doctors recommend surgery
Pain doctors do not recommend surgery to treat chronic spine pain. In fact, pain doctors specialize in minimally invasive interventional treatment options, such as injections, nerve blocks, physical therapy, spinal stimulation etc. Most back pain can be resolved without surgery.

If you or a loved one is suffering from chronic back pain, talk to a pain management specialist right away.

If you are looking for internal medicine and restorative pain management doctors in San Diego, call Pacific Medical Care at (619) 333-8114. Pacific Medical Care provides a wide range of healthcare services, and first-rate care to treat the whole patient.