Low Back Pain Myths

There is a lot of information out there on low back pain and injuries. Some of which is very useful but on the other hand there is a lot of misinformation which can sometimes lead us in the wrong direction. In this blog we will look to debunk some of the most common low back pain myths!

Myth # 1 : I Should brace my core or I will get pain

This is a very common thought and is a big reason why people seek help for their low back.  Although we have previously thought bracing can help relieve symptoms it can in fact increase the forces going through the back and in some cases lead to pain. The muscles around the trunk play an import role in movement and stability but trying to actively brace these muscles can often lead to stiffness and inefficient movements. The body is clever, our trunk muscles will naturally contract and work when required to assist in tasks such as lifting.

Myth # 2: My low back pain is cause by my back/pelvis being out

One of the most common myths when it comes to low back pain. The back is extremely strong and robust and without serious trauma or force the back and pelvis does not go ‘out’. Manual therapy techniques such as manipulations and adjustments DO NOT put these structures back in to place but they can however provide pain relief which is helpful in the short term.

Myth # 3: I have a disc bulge and degeneration and that is causing my pain

Disc bulges and degeneration are very common and have a high occurrence rate amongst people who don’t have low back pain. We consider these changes to be age related and are not necessarily linked to pain.  Approximately 30% of people in their 20’s will have a disc bulge in the absence of low back pain and this percentage goes up approximately 10% for every decade in life. Further to that disc bulges and protrusions have shown to recover on imaging over time. So, it is likely that a disc bulge that you may have previously had is no longer there!

Myth # 4 I need to stand and sit in “good” posture, or I will get pain

There is no such thing as good or correct posture! Despite what we have previously thought and what we may have been told as kids. Research has showed us that there is no direct link to how we sit and stand and pain. Instead, it is recommended to find a posture that you are comfortable with. This may differ from person to person but that is okay. Of course, it is always recommended to keep moving, so taking regular breaks to move around may help reduce the occurrence of discomfort from prolonged positions.

Myth # 5 Bending your back when lifting is bad for your back and you should lift with my knees

The spine holds some very important structures, and it would be a big design flaw if the back was not robust and strong to protect them. In fact, it is one of the strongest parts of the body and can handle large forces. When trained correctly the spine can comfortably handle loads in positions of lifting, squatting and twisting. We are often told to avoid bending the back when lifting however this can often create problems such as inefficient movements and fear avoidance.  Like all activities, we need to exposure our body to them for us to get better at it!

 Our physiotherapists at East Vic Park Physiotherapy can help answer all your low back related questions. If you would like more information or help with your low back do not hesitate to get in touch!