An editorial from the BJSM in this month's issue has received considerable positive attention on social media this week to address the common misunderstandings associated with back pain. In our industry and in the media, there are many unhelpful ideas about back pain, which reinforces bad habits and wrong management strategies. The unhelpful beliefs have been shown to lead to more pain, disability, lower productivity, opiate use and excessive medication.
There is probably no other musculoskeletal condition that has as many myths as back pain, but thanks to the work of these authors, as a profession we are slowly correcting the narrative.
FACTS
LBP is not a serious life-threatening illness.
Most LBP episodes improve and the LBP does not get worse with age.
A negative mindset, fear avoidance behavior, negative recovery expectations and poor pain coping behavior are more associated with persistent pain than tissue damage.
Scans do not determine the prognosis of the current LBP episode, the likelihood of future LBP disability, and do not improve the clinical results of LBP.
Graduated movement and movement in all directions is safe and healthy for the spine.
The posture of the spine when sitting, standing and lifting does not predict LBP or its continued existence.
A weak core does not cause LBP, and some people with LBP tend to overwork their "core" muscles. While it's good to keep the core muscles strong, relaxing them when they're not needed is also helpful.
Spine movement and strain are safe and build structural resilience when evaluated.
Outbreaks of pain relate to changes in activity, stress, and mood rather than structural damage.
Effective care for LBP is relatively cheap and safe. These include: patient-oriented and positive thinking-promoting training and coaching of people to optimize their physical and mental health (e.g. physical activity and movement, social activities, healthy sleeping habits and body weight as well as continued employment). ,
One of the authors of the editorial is Peter O’Sullivan, whose work is to improve communication with low back pain patients that we have already presented at Physiospot. It is worth taking a look and the infographic complements the resource perfectly. Peter also has an excellent video.
10 helpful background information infographic
The infogrpahik contained in the article is great because it focuses on the FACTS and not on the MYTHS. It is always easy to focus on the myths and explain why they are wrong, but unfortunately this often makes treatments such as strong medication, injections and surgery effective and necessary to treat LBP.
To learn more about why these myths exist and how to properly deal with back pain, read the following links to Physiopedia and Physioplus resources.
