Back Pain Myths & Misconceptions

About This Blog:

Over 80 percent of adults in the U.S. experience back pain at some point in their lives, making “back pain” one of the most prevalent conditions today.
There are many myths and misconceptions that surface frequently regarding the management and treatment of back pain. Believing some of these fallacies can detrimentally affect your health and impede recovery from a surgery or treatment.
Dr. Mark Giovanini encounters many of these misconceptions, which is why the neurosurgeon has taken it upon himself to debunk some of the most common myths.

1. “Resting frequently is good for back pain.”

We mentioned this topic/myth in our blog “Exercising Can Help Back Pain.” Resting too often stiffens the muscles in your back and increases your risk of developing chronic back pain. Resting frequently also hinders your spinal disc’s natural exchange of essential fluids that help keep you limber and pain-free. Therefore, it’s important to do low-impact aerobic exercises like walking, stationary bicycling and elliptical training, and back-strengthening moves like partial crunches and wall sits, to help diminish back pain.

2. “Back pain leads to permanent impairment or damage.”

This is false for very many reasons, but if you don’t address your back problems early or if you choose to participate in activities that may exacerbate your back issues, then there is a possibility of permanently damaging your back. Of course, we’re talking very extreme activities like dirt biking, hiking and surfing all day, everyday at the age of 70 and then suddenly falling and permanently damaging your back. If you maintain a healthy, relatively normal lifestyle chances are you will not experience a permanent impairment. Regardless, the moment you feel back pain, see Dr. Giovanini to discuss exercise programs, injections, or a minimally invasive spine surgery.

3. “If I see a doctor for back pain, he or she will convince me to have surgery.”

Dr. Giovanini puts the needs of his patient’s first and only recommends surgery if patients exhibit severe symptoms, pain or trauma from spinal injuries and/or spinal conditions. Dr. Giovanini consults with each patient and discusses treatment options that will work best for their specific needs. He considers nonsurgical treatment options before recommending any minimally invasive spine surgeries and makes a conscious effort to address all of the questions and concerns or every patient that walks through his doors. If any physician makes you feel uncomfortable or forces surgery on you, it is definitely time to get a second opinion. Call NeuroMicroSpine today to discuss your concerns with Dr. Giovanini!

For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit http://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.

We hope to see you soon!

The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.