Myths about Back Pain, Take the Quiz you’ll be Surprised!

Myths about Back Pain, Take the Quiz you’ll be Surprised!

Did You Know Low back pain (LBP) is THE leading cause of disability worldwide?

 

According to the Global Burden of Disease, lower back pain and neck pain were the number one Level 3 causes of global YLDs (Years Lived with Disability) for both sexes combined, 1990, 2005, and 2015!
And according to experts, eight out of 10 patients will come to chiropractors with some form of back pain.

 

 

Back pain is as common as the myths that surround it.

Take a look at some common myths about back pain, can you tell fact from fiction?

 

Test yourself!
Fact or Myth? How well do you know back pain? click to reveal each answer
Cold Weather Causes Back Pain
Myth! A new study by The George Institute for Global Health states there is no proof that changes in weather, including temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind direction and precipitation, cause back pain or arthritis.
Bed Rest Helps
Myth! While resting may help with pain, bed rest is not recommended and can actually make your back pain worse and even slow healing. You should reduce normal physical activities but continue to be as active as possible. Those who stay active recover more quickly.
Back Problems are More Common in Women than Men
Fact! Nearly one third of adult females suffer from lower back pain compared to a quarter of males.
Always sit up Straight
Myth! Yes, of course slouching is bad. But sitting straight up for endless hours can be bad for your health as well because it can place a strain on your spine. If you sit at a desk for most of the day, take time out to walk around a bit every hour to an hour and a half. Try standing, if you can, while talking on the phone or reading printed materials. Dr Shalabi demonstrates the proper way to sit: (click here if the video does not load)
Don’t Ever Lift Heavy Items
Myth! It’s not about how heavy but how you lift that affects your back. When attempting to lift something heavy, use your legs. Simply squat close to the object with your head held up. Be sure not to twist or turn your core while in motion. (Of course you shouldn’t pick up anything that might be too heavy for you.)
Back Pain is mainly caused by Injury
Myth! Back pain can be caused by any number of conditions including infections, diseases, disc degeneration and even bad posture.
Chiropractors are used by All 32 NFL Teams
Fact! Doctors of Chiropractic are used by all 32 National Football League Teams to deal with ongoing back and neck problems
Exercise can be bad for Back Pain
Myth! A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine involving 134 workers with back pain found that those who exercised during their recovery time took 58 days to return to work, versus 87 days for those who did not.Regular exercise is one of the many things you can do to avoid the risk of back injury. In fact, chiropractors and other health professionals may recommend a low-impact exercise regimen as a way to alleviate back pain. A strong core, which includes abdomen, legs and back muscles, can prevent injury from occurring in the future.
You should bend your knees when you lift something heavy
Myth! “Proper lifting mechanics require you to actually lift with the hips, not with the knees, otherwise you will just end up with knee arthritis,” says Stuart McGill, professor of spine biomechanics and chair of the department of kinesiology at the University of Waterloo.

When lifting something heavy, you should try to disperse the weight throughout all of the muscles of the body. It’s important to contract your abdominals throughout the lift and keep the object as close to your body as possible, lifting from the hips. If you only need to pick up something small, use a golfer’s lift: keep your back straight and bend down from the hip with one leg out behind you for balance.

Weight Gain Equals Pain
Fact! Extra pounds will put stress on your back, less weight on your body means less pressure and less pain on your joints and back. Exercising regularly not only helps you stay fit; it can help you stay pain free. It’s especially dangerous for people who only participate in an activity on weekends, and forego any and all types of exercise throughout the week. Back pain is most common among those folks who are out of shape.
A Hot Bath right after pain symptoms start help low back pain
Myth! It may sound soothing, but getting into a hot bath when muscles are inflamed can make matters worse by increasing the inflammatory response in an acute injury. In most cases it’s better to immediately apply ice to an injury.
More interesting facts
  • More than half of Americans who experience low back pain worked a desk job.
  • 9 out of 10 people never find out the primary cause of their back pain.
  • 56% of patients who went to a medical doctor, saw a 30% reduction in low back pain. But 94% of patients who saw a chiropractor saw a 30% reduction in low back pain after 4 weeks.
  • Replacing a visit to a doctor with a visit to a chiropractor for back pain, could save Medicare $83.5 million every year.
  • Back problems are the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed workdays

 

According to the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians, doctors and patients should consider spinal manipulation and massage as a viable treatment for lower back pain. We hope this quiz helped dispel some of the inaccurate information people sometimes consider. Your health is nothing to take lightly. A strong and healthy back can protect other muscles and keep you pain free well into the future.

Chiropractors are the only healthcare professionals trained in the detection, location, and correction of the vertebral subluxation complex through chiropractic care. At Health 1st Center’s Chiropractic wellness center in Palos Heights / Orland Park, we remove nervous system interference from your body, helping your body to function optimally. Get your spine aligned today and step into a healthy and balanced life with us!

 

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