Common back pain myths, and what really helps

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people come to see me, and it is also one of the most misunderstood. A few stubborn myths keep people stuck. Let me clear up the most common ones.

Myth: rest is the best cure

Long bed rest usually makes back pain worse, not better. Muscles stiffen and weaken when they stop moving. Gentle movement, within comfort, is one of the most reliable things that helps most everyday back pain.

Myth: it must be a slipped disc

Most back pain is muscular, not structural. A great deal of it comes from tension, posture, and overworked muscles rather than a serious problem with the spine. That is exactly the kind of pain that massage is well suited to ease.

Myth: no pain, no gain

A good treatment should not leave you in agony. Firm, yes, but never brutal. Releasing tension works better than fighting the body. That said, if your pain follows a fall, is severe, or comes with numbness or fever, see a doctor first. For the everyday tension that so many of us carry, massage and movement are a sound, honest place to start.