Since many people suffer from lower back pain, there is a lot of information out there about how to help treat it. While you can find a variety of reliable sources online, you are also sure to run into myths. The following untruths about back pain and its treatment options will help you to separate the facts from fiction. Once you learn more about your condition, you can make the right choices to help improve your health and wellness.
1. “Back Pain Is Not Very Common”
Some people think they will only get lower back pain if they get into an accident or suffer from a traumatic injury. While these are some common back pain causes, back pain occurs in people of all ages and from walks of life. It is estimated that at least 80 percent of Americans will experience some form of low back pain in their lifetime.
Some of the other reasons for suffering chronic discomfort in the lower back include herniated discs, and most commonly muscle sprains and ligament strains. Each of these conditions may result from everyday activities like stretching too much, lifting objects improperly, and carrying something that is much too heavy. Aging-related wear and tear can also cause pain, muscle spasms, and swelling.
2. “Back Pain Requires Bed Rest”
A couple of days off can help to relieve acute back pain and swelling, says Harvard Health. However, it is important to get moving again after your short-term bed rest. If you stay in bed too long, you will begin to lose muscle strength and tone. Weakness in the back and legs can make it more difficult for you to relieve your chronic back pain in the future. Prolonged bed rest can even make you more susceptible to blood clots in your lower body.
When you begin moving and exercising again, start slowly. Try supporting your back with a lumbar pillow or body pillows at night. If the discomfort continues for more than a couple of weeks, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine the cause for your pain that persists even after trying to rest your back.
3. “Back Pain Means I Have Spinal Damage”
While back pain can be a possible sign of spinal damage, it is not the only cause of discomfort, muscle spasms, or inflammation. Some conditions, such as sprains and strains, do not normally involve the spine. Instead, they require healing of the muscles or ligaments in the back. When the spine is not injured or affected, the therapies you use will often focus on relaxing and strengthening the lower back muscles.
Some of the most common treatments for lower back muscle pain include over-the-counter (OTC) medications, massage therapy, and heat therapy. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), also formerly referred to as low-level light therapy (LLLT), is also becoming popular among people with uncomfortable symptoms in their lower back.
Using non-ionizing light sources, PBMT devices such as laser light therapy belts penetrate your skin to modulate pain and inflammation, all without the use of any pharmaceuticals or invasive treatments. In just a few moments per day, you can help relieve your back pain in the comfort of your home.
4. “Back Pain Usually Requires Surgery”
While some people have surgery for their lower back conditions, it is not the most common treatment option. The Mayo Clinic says back surgery may be a good idea when a person is in persistent, disabling pain. While the discomfort must be recurring and severe, conservative therapies such as PBMT, massage therapy, or heat therapy may also have not worked. A surgical procedure may also be recommended when these symptoms are combined with numbness in the arms or legs.
According to Spine-Health, considerations for surgery for lower back pain also include a person’s ability to function, their mental health as they deal with their chronic discomfort, and the type of surgery that is necessary. Minimally invasive surgeries, for example, are often less harsh on the body because they require a smaller incision. Thankfully, many of the most common lower back pain conditions can be helped with conservative interventions.
Relieving Your Lower Back Pain
Staying in contact with your wellness team and keeping your appointments with your doctor can help you to monitor the progress of your lower back pain. If you have not explored non-surgical therapies, give PBMT a try. Along with being comfortable and gentle on your lower back, PBMT devices like our laser light therapy belts do not have any known side effects. Explore our products today to find the right coverage for your symptoms and personal needs. A proactive approach to your back pain can get you started on the fast track to wellness.
