Neurosurgeon dispels myths about back pain

Back pain is common in many people. MD, Neurosurgeon from the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato (Minnesota, USA) Megan Murphy stressed that there are still many misconceptions and myths around this topic. This was reported on December 15 by Science Daily magazine.

Many people consider weight lifting to be the main cause of back pain, but this is not entirely true. According to Murphy, improper lifting of heavy objects can worsen problems, but most often the pain is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, excess weight and genetic factors.

It is also believed that bed rest can relieve back pain. According to the specialist, a few days of rest can help with muscle stretching, but prolonged bed rest can only prolong the pain or even increase it. In such cases, it is recommended to change your lifestyle, resort to low-intensity physical exercises and avoid activities such as bending, turning, and lifting weights.

At the same time, many people are convinced that exercise should be avoided for back pain, but this, on the contrary, usually helps in both treatment and prevention. It is recommended only to adjust the activity and consult a specialist if the condition worsens.

In addition, it is claimed that back pain can occur due to the habit of putting a large wallet in the back pocket of your trousers. According to the publication, sitting with a wallet in your back pocket can cause pain or numbness in your leg due to compression of the sciatic nerve, but it is not the cause of back pain.

There is also a common myth that back pain always indicates serious illnesses, but Murphy claims that in most cases the cause lies in stretching or overexertion of muscles. It is emphasized that this type of pain often goes away on its own and is not associated with diseases of the spine.

Murphy noted that there is a belief that only surgery helps with chronic pain. According to her, non—drug methods such as physiotherapy and lifestyle changes are more effective. An urgent medical assessment is needed if the pain worsens at night, radiates to the legs, is accompanied by weakness, numbness, or impaired urination control.

Although many people do not consider incorrect posture to be a prerequisite for back pain, this statement is also incorrect. Prolonged slouching at a computer or phone overloads muscles and joints, and proper posture and an ergonomic workplace help reduce pain. Murphy also doesn't recommend choosing a hard mattress. According to her, optimal rigidity is selected individually, and the most important thing is a combination of support and comfort suitable for a particular person.

The neurosurgeon stressed that some back problems are inevitable due to injuries, arthritis or heredity. However, according to her, weight control, muscle strengthening and regular movement help to maintain the health of the spine.

On December 9, the physiotherapist of the SM Clinic, Jamila Dzhandigova, warned about the dangers of home back massage. According to her, the lack of diagnosis and proper technique can exacerbate existing health problems. At the same time, the specialist emphasized that therapeutic massage is designed not only to relieve pain, but also to restore the correct motor stereotype.

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