When you hear about lower back pain, there’s always some horror story.
“The pain was so bad! I was on Panadeine Forte and had to get 3 injections”; or “I bent down, my back pulled and had to get carried out of the house into an ambo”.
Most of the time, back pain can feel a lot worse than it is – this is normal!
It’s your body’s defence mechanisms kicking in to protect itself from further injury.
Between 70-90% of Aussies experience back pain at some point, most cases subsiding within three to six weeks.
Let’s bust some common myths:
Myth
- Stop all exercise – stay in bed!
Fact
- We tend to recover much quicker if we keep moving, working, and avoiding bed rest.
Myth
- Heavy lifting and awkward posture are the only way you can injure your back.
Fact
- Lower back pain can also occur from a slow build-up rather than just a one-off event. This can be a buildup of stress from your job, a new bed, weak lower abs, or even a new gym routine! In some rare cases, back pain can be due to congenital history, a fracture, or malignancy.
Myth
- Ouch my back hurts. I need a scan!
Fact
- Most lower back injuries don’t last, and generally, a scan isn’t required. On specific circumstances, if there has been an acute injury such as a fall, or something is not adding up, we will refer you for one.
Myth
- I need to see my GP right away
Fact
- Natural recovery, and pain relief methods such as using heat, walking and staying active are going to be your best initial go-to options.
However, if this doesn’t do the trick, pop in for a consult, or just a chat – no referral needed!
(Skip the GP and those unnecessary fees – we know your time is valuable!)
Thanks for reading!