3 Myths About Back Pain

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, between 60 to 80 percent of the U.S. population suffers from back pain. Alleviating back pain can take trial and error, but it is possible. Part of treating back pain is being able to separate fact from fiction when it comes to back pain. Here are some myths about back pain and the truth.

Back Pain Can Only Be Cured with Surgery

Some people mistakenly believe that the only solution to back pain is surgery. In actuality, there are many non-traditional and traditional methods of treating the pain. For instance, acupuncture, physical therapy, and medication have all been used in the past to help treat back pain.

Your doctor will evaluate your back pain and make a recommendation for treatment. In some cases, the recommendation can be surgery, but it is likely that your doctor will focus on non-surgical treatments first.

Rest Is Best for Back Pain

Another myth about back pain is that bed rest is best to treat it. Although resting can help ease some of the pain that you feel, it can actually slow down your recovery. If you continue to remain active and exercise, your muscles can start to strengthen, which can result in relief from pain.

In one study, researchers found that the participants who remained active recovered at a shorter rate of time. While participants who rested and were inactive took 87 days to recover and return to work, active participants recovered in 58 days.

Sleeping on a Firm Mattress Can Help with Pain

The idea of sleeping on a firm mattress to relieve back pain sounds logical, but it can actually lead to more pain. When you sleep on a firm mattress, the body is not supported evenly. An unsupported body can lead to compression on the back and cause more pain.

A medium-firm mattress is actually a better choice. The mattress provides the comfort you need, but also supports the body. There is also less compression on the body, which means less back pain.

You also need to avoid an overly soft mattress. The mattress can cause you to sink into the mattress, which could result in more pain and stiffness in the morning.

Consult with a chiropractor, like the ones at Summit Chiropractic, to discover more truths about back pain. He or she can help with assessing your pain and creating a treatment plan that works for your particular situation.


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