Millions of people in the world experience back pain. Research indicates that back pain is as prevalent as it seems; the majority of the population has had back pain. Unfortunately, there are several misconceptions regarding the treatment of spine issues, and these may end up worsening rather than reducing your pain.
It is imperative to know what works and what does not so that proper treatment can be imparted. The improper technique will lead to your lower back pain lasting longer or even being aggravated with time. We use minimally invasive treatments at Total Pain Specialist Clinic to ensure you get actual alleviation of your pain condition.
Myth #1: Rest is Always the Best Treatment
Many people think complete bed rest helps heal back pain. This is wrong. Resting too frequently might instead weaken your back muscles and bring more challenges. Your back requires free and easy movement to remain healthy and strong.
Moving around and stretching may be more effective than lying in bed. Mobility has the benefit of combating stiffness and ensuring that your pain does not deteriorate. We do not advise total rest at our pain clinic, but rather a suitable level of activity depending on your condition.
Myth #2: You Should Only See a Doctor for Severe Back Pain
Some people wait until they have severe pain before getting help. This is a mistake. Minor lower back problems can be treated early in order not to degenerate into greater problems. You should not endure the pain of serious back ailments before visiting a doctor.
Symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or radiating pain in your leg should be addressed urgently. These symptoms could also be a sign of a more serious disease, such as sciatica or spinal stenosis, that needs adequate care by a medical practitioner. We urge patients at Total Pain Specialist Clinic to seek assistance early before letting their conditions deteriorate.
Myth #3: Pain Always Means Serious Damage
You may not always have severe spine damage because of back pain. Most individuals fear that their ache means that they have a serious condition, yet this is not necessarily so. Mild problems may lead to a lot of discomfort, and serious problems may lead to less pain.
Temporary pain usually heals well due to stress on the back as a result of a daily activity, poor posture, or muscle strain. Nevertheless, chronic pain that does not resolve should be assessed. Our specialists use advanced imaging techniques when needed to determine the exact cause of back pain in each patient.
Myth #4: X-rays Always Show the Problem
Having an X-ray is what many a patient would hope would tell them exactly what is wrong with the lower back. X-rays, however, do not give a good image of soft structures such as muscles, ligaments, or nerves. Serious problems are sometimes not seen on basic imaging, and minor problems will look bad compared to what they really are.
More specific testing, such as CT scans or MRI, may be required to visualise soft tissue issues, such as a herniated disk. Depending on your symptoms, your physician will determine the kind of imaging tests required. We apply imaging techniques that improve the ability to diagnose your condition correctly at Total Pain Specialist Clinic.
Myth #5: Surgery is the Only Solution for Herniated Discs
When a person experiences a herniated disc, surgery seems to be the only solution. This is not the case. A majority of herniated disc issues can be treated without surgery. Most patients with the disc problem respond well to conservative care.
Minimally invasive procedures are able to achieve superior outcomes frequently with minimal surgery. The alternatives involve targeted injections, physical therapy, and other forms of physical treatment. At Total Pain Specialist Clinic, we have superior minimally invasive treatments that can help treat cases like herniated discs and other spine issues.
Myth 6#: All Back Pain is the Same
People often think all lower back pain has the same cause and needs the same treatment. This is completely wrong. Different conditions affect different parts of your lumbar spine and require specific treatments.
Conditions like arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and spinal stenosis all cause back pain but need different approaches. Even the location matters – problems at one vertebra level might need different care than issues elsewhere. Our specialists carefully evaluate each patient to identify the specific cause of their pain and create personalised treatment plans.
Myth #7: Age-Related Changes Always Cause Pain
It has been widely believed that wear and tear due to normal ageing would automatically cause low back pain. Although age changes do occur, they do not always result in symptoms. There are individuals with major spine imaging changes who experience no pain.
The knowledge of your risk factors will help to forecast who may develop problems, but age itself does not indicate whether one will experience pain or not. Most age-related changes in the spine are normal and do not need treatment when they do not bring symptoms. We treat symptomatic problems at our pain clinic, not scanning for changes seen with advancing age.
Final Thoughts
Knowledge of the facts about back pain helps you make better choices in treatments. Do not allow conventional myths to stand in the way of seeking help. Minor problems can be avoided easily when treated at the correct time and in the right way.
At Total Pain Specialist Clinic, we are experts in evidence-based care that addresses what is actually causing your pain so that you can enjoy activities that you love the most. We have a team of pain specialists who will assist you in coming up with your customised treatment plan to help you achieve your needs and objectives. For any consultation, contact us now and make the first step towards living pain-free.
Total Pain Specialist