Back pain is one of the most common conditions that people suffer from with about 80% of people having back pain at some time in life. For many, back pain becomes chronic, so it is no wonder that this is also one of the most common causes of disability in the world. How can you cope with this problem?

While there is a lot of information about back pain on the Internet, and every physician seems to have his or her own ideas as well, there are some things that have been recommended for back pain for years that are simply not the best options. We are going to reveal some of the biggest back pain myths. We will conclude with a natural therapy that is helping many people to break free from back pain by combating the issue at an unexpected source.

Myth #1 – The Best Back Pain Treatment Is Bed Rest

There are times when bed rest is necessary for back pain, but it rarely the best option, and it shouldn’t be considered a long-term solution. What is the problem with days or perhaps weeks of rest as a back-pain treatment?

The longer you are sedentary, the more your joints are stiffening up, bone material is being lost, and muscles that support the spine are starting to atrophy. All of this can actually increase back pain in the long-run. Plus, long periods of being sedentary can lead to weight gain (which is bad for pain) and can increase the risk of getting a blood clot. Finally, a sedentary lifestyle is not good for your heart. Getting rid of back pain is only beneficial if you survive the treatment.

The main purpose behind rest is so that you don’t make the injury worse. So you want your return to normal activities to have limits and be gradual. Limiting how much you lift or how hard you exercise is important, but in most cases, you need to stay active. If your doctor says otherwise, ask for a second opinion.

Myth #2 – Weight Is the Number One Cause of Backache

If this is true, then why are so many skinny people dealing with back pain as well? If you already suffer from back pain, putting on weight certainly won’t help. But being a little overweight is rarely the underlying cause of back pain. There are many contributing factors which can include wear and tear on the structures of the spine (often caused by poor posture), traumatic injuries, living a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, sleeping in a position that hurts your back, and dealing with a ton of stress. While being active and taking off a few excess pounds will usually help back pain, you need to consider these other underlying causes too. Otherwise, it will not be possible to get long-term relief.

Myth #3 – Surgery Should Be a Common Backache Treatment

Invasive procedures should always be the last resort. Technology is much better than it used to be, but a back pain problem is rarely something that can be fixed by having a surgeon go in and move things around. If your doctor is quick to recommend surgery, getting a second opinion is a good idea. While advancements are making surgical options safer than ever before, there is still significant risk, a long recovery time, and surgery does not always fix the problem.

Myth #4 – If You Get Back Pain, You Need Opioids

When a doctor turns to the prescription pad before you’ve tried anything else, this is another red flag. First of all, opioid painkillers don’t cure back pain; they just stop you from feeling it as much. This can easily lead to dependence. If a doctor suggests medication, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) such as ibuprofen should be the early option. Since inflammation increases pain levels, this can provide more relief that actually affects the problem rather than covering it up.

It is important to note that NSAIDs are not a long-term solution either. Overuse can lead to intestinal problems, recurring headaches, and other side effects.  

Myth #5 – There Is No Way to Get Long-Term Back Pain Relief

Some doctors will tell you that once you have back pain, you’re always going to suffer from it to some degree. This is not necessarily the case. Sometimes, it is simply a matter of finding the underlying cause of back pain and correcting it. One source of back pain that is frequently overlooked is an atlas misalignment. How can a neck misalignment lead to chronic back problems?

The atlas is the top bone in the neck, and it balances the head. Therefore, even the slightest misalignment causes a chain reaction that runs down the spine. This keeps the head balanced, but it can leave other parts of the spine in a stressed position. Where the greatest changes take place, wear and tear can increase, a disc may bulge, pressure can be placed on a nerve, or other issues that cause pain may occur.

Correcting the underlying issue can allow your spine to return to a normal state, thereby removing the real source of the pain in a safe a natural way. Upper cervical chiropractors focus on the atlas using precisely measured adjustments that do not involve any popping or twisting of the spine. If you would like to learn more about how this safe and gentle chiropractic subspecialty may be able to help reduce your back pain, find a practitioner in your area today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

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