Lower Back Pain Facts and Myths

Lower Back pain will be something that more than 80 percent of us will have happen to us sometime in our lives. However, for most of us, that lower back pain will go away after two or three weeks. Nevertheless, for some that lower back pain could become a recurring issue for the rest of their lives. What you do during that crucial time could make the difference between a full recovery or having to deal with recurring lower back pain for the rest of your life. Avoiding these five myths of lower back pain could be the answer to a full recovery.

1. Using Heat versus Ice for Lower Back Pain
The common myth is to continue using heat and ice throughout the lower back pain treatment. The truth is that you should apply ice for the first 15 to 20 minutes every two to three hours for the first few days only. After that, it is usually better to treat the lower back pain with heat only. The heat will relax the muscles, decrease any joint stiffness, and increase your blood circulation.

2. Keep off Your Feet for Lower Back Pain
If you have an acute episode of lower back pain, bed rest should be recommended for one or two days only. The more active you are, the faster the recovery. Prolonged bed rest will only worsen the pain and could complicate your recovery by decreasing core strength, lose of blood circulation and mental depression.

3. You Should Never Exercise With Lower Back Pain
The myth is that you should rest your back to heal it. Though a part of that is true, it is usually recommended that you find some type of exercise to strengthen your muscles. Activities such as stretching, swimming, biking, and walking are excellent ways to build muscle strength and will enable you to recover much faster.

4. High Heel Fashions Do Not Cause Lower Back Pain
Women want to believe it, but unfortunately, this is a myth. By altering your center of gravity, high heels will cause you lower back pain. A raise heel will shift your center of gravity causing your spine to curve abnormally forward. This will add stress to your spinal joints, discs, and lower back ligaments.

5. Seeing a Chiropractor for Lower Back Pain
The myth is this statement is that not all chiropractors can be safe for your lower back pain. Spinal adjustments by a chiropractor are an aggressive lower back pain treatment. Done right, they can be an effective treatment for lower back pain. However, some chiropractors are just out to sell you a multi-package plan and will not necessarily take care of your lower back pain treatment. Avoid them and find a reputable chiropractor who is concerned for your well-being.