6 Awful Back Pain Myths

Back pain is often considered to be the retribution of humanity for walking upright. If people really moved on all fours like animals, the main source of back pain, the spine, would not be under such a load. Civilizations scientific and technological progress has brought a lot of work for podiatrists, massage therapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors. A sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity have an enormous effect on the condition of the spine. Due to the frequency of musculoskeletal system diseases, there are a lot of myths about back pain.

1. Lower back pain is always a spine problem

If you are a young person who hasn’t been injured recently, then most likely the problem lies in something else. Your muscles can be the source of pain too. Your lower back muscles can hurt when they’re strained, or during the flu, when the whole body aches. Back pain can be a symptom of a cold, nerve damage, heart disease, kidneys, or pancreas problems.

2. People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from back pain

If you are overweight you can be prone to experience back pain. At least due to compression of the intervertebral discs and muscle weakness. But if you are underweight you are at risk for back diseases too. Underweight people have weaker muscles, which cannot support the spine correctly. And their bones are less solid too. Athletes who also are often underweight can have back pain due to overloading. So it is best to have optimal weight and exercise moderately.

3. High heels are bad for your spine

This is not entirely true. You need to pay attention to the severity of the natural curves of the spine - lordosis (forward bending) and kyphosis (backward bending). If the curves are well defined, then your spine is a great shock absorber. If these curves are weakly expressed, then your vertebral column is almost straight. This can be an additional factor for intervertebral disc compression. Wearing high heels allows you to redistribute the weight of the body in such a way that the curves become more expressed. So in this case heels are more good than evil.

4. If you have back pain, you need to restrict your movement

Lying down and minimizing any movement is only necessary if you have a back injury. But even in the case of back injury treatment, it’s still advisable to make some movements. Longtime bed rest can result in a significant loss of muscles. Don’t allow your muscles to lose their strength as it is crucial for supporting your spine.

5. Sitting in the correct position can protect you from back pain

Sitting in any position is quite harmful to the spine. Hunching while sitting is even more harmful. It is also bad if you keep your back in constant tension. Your muscles can overstretch and will probably start to hurt soon. If you are forced to sit for a long time, try to sit back and change your position more often. It is better to get up and perform simple exercises for your back, legs, and neck.

6. Lifting heavy weights is bad for your spine

The way that you lift heavy things often matters even more. You should not bend down when lifting weights from the floor. Try to squat before lifting something up to allow your leg muscles to take the main load. When carrying heavy objects, try to shift the load from one hand to the other. If the weight is in front of you it is better to hold it against yourself rather than at arm's length. And never try to lift a heavy object while sitting − your spine would not like this at all.

The bottom line

Avoid believing in myths and take care of your spine. Control your weight, don’t be afraid of wearing high heels, and try to move more. It will bring certainly make your overall health better. Always consult a professional if you experience any problems with your spine.