All too often, patients believe certain myths and misconceptions about back pain, the spine, and the types of appropriate care available. You may need a CT scan, X-rays, or MRI to fully diagnose the extent of your back pain, but knowing the truth behind these myths will give you a better idea of how to approach your discomfort. Let’s bust these five common myths about back pain.
Myth #1: One Injury Causes Chronic Back Pain
While some patients can certainly point to a specific moment as the catalyst for severe back pain, many more patients actually experience back pain due to a number of factors.
One injury or medical event is not the only reason you may be experiencing back pain! Many causes of back pain are actually more associated with daily use and wear-and-tear on the body from common, even repetitive, motions and movement.
Myth #2: Pain Medication Is Enough to Stop the Back Pain
A common misconception about medication in general is that it stops the pain from occurring, when in fact, many pain medications just mask symptoms for short periods of time. Some patients avoid going to the doctor because they think the pain medication is the solution.
However, over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs are not long-term solutions to pain management. Plus, they have concerning side-effects and possibilities for dependence.
Instead of masking symptoms that temporarily relieve your pain symptoms, orthopedic doctors and chiropractors get to the root cause of the issue by examining the spine and surrounding musculature and tissues. They should develop a treatment plan that will provide long-term relief and healing.
Myth #3: Proper Posture Fixes Back Pain
We have all been told to sit up straight and pay attention to our posture, especially those of us who work hunched over a computer all day or standing in place for hours at a time.
There’s no doubt that posture is certainly important for the spine and overall health. However, sitting up too straight for long periods of time can actually add stress on the spine and back muscles. A combination of resting the spine and strengthening the spine is important for your overall posture so your spine and muscles are better equipped to handle your daily physical stressors.
Myth #4: Seeing a Chiropractor Increases Back Pain
Unfortunately, some people think seeing a chiropractor will actually increase their back pain, which is simply not the case. Chiropractors are specifically trained in the spine and the importance of healthy alignments to ensure proper functionality to the rest of the body.
Chiropractors are actually dedicated to helping their clients find relief from back pain, and they use certified approaches to treat misalignments in the spinal column and surrounding tissue.
Myth #5: One Trip to the Doctor Stops Back Pain
When you have a bad cough, you might find that one trip to the doctor and a round of medication is all you need to get back on your feet. When it comes to back pain, however, it is important to utilize a team of medical professionals to address the current, acute symptoms of back pain, as well as the long-term implications and treatment objectives.
Work with a team of medical professionals who provide multidisciplinary care, so your back pain is addressed from many perspectives. Additionally, they may want to run tests at first contact as well as throughout treatment to help diagnose the reasons for the back pain and monitor your progression through treatment.
Chiropractors specifically want to treat current symptoms, address continual misalignments, and focus on stressed musculature to provide ongoing care even when the main pain symptoms subside.
Our licensed and experienced medical professionals at AICA Orthopedics want to bust these myths by educating and communicating with each individual patient about the sources of their back pain and identify the various treatment options available.
At AICA Orthopedics you can call or visit us online to schedule an appointment as soon as possible and meet with someone on our team. We work with clients of all ages and address a variety of health conditions and concerns.
The benefits of working with a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic doctors, neurologists, physical therapists, and chiropractors means you will have a well-rounded approach to your treatment and care.
