The 5 most
common myths
about back pain
True or untrue? Don’t believe everything you hear about back pain. Especially not the part about having to accept it!
“THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT BACK PAIN.”
Oh yes, you can. Of course each case of back pain requires individual solutions. But there are a great number of resources available for any back pain sufferer who chooses to be pro-active and help get rid of the pain and its source. Moderate exercise, back strengthening and other measures can in most cases effectively help you overcome your pain. The sooner you resume sports and your daily activities, the better. If these measures will not help, ask for an evaluation from your doctor. Being in pain for a longer period of time can take a lot of energy, be stressful, and can have negative effects on your psychological wellbeing and the immune system. The sooner you forget the misconception that back pain is some sort of handicap that you have to accept, the better.
“WHEN BACK PAINS STRIKES, I MUST LIE DOWN AND REST, THEN IT WILL GO AWAY.”
In the acute phase of a back injury, resting can indeed be very useful to calm down the pain. However, the acute phase generally lasts only a few days. In the long run it is actually activity that will speed up healing and prevent reinjury by recalibrating your back and abdominal muscles. Talk to your doctor about the activity that is best suited for you and your condition.
“YOU WILL NEVER GET BACK PAIN BECAUSE YOU ARE ACTIVE.”
Unfortunately, this is not true. Even with exercise, there is no guarantee. Even good sportsmen can suffer from or get occasional back pain. But if you stay in good shape, pain episodes will be less intense and less frequent. If pain reoccurs constantly, then you should better see a medical professional. Generally, it is recommended to stick to an exercise programme, including strengthening training and stretching for all muscle groups as effective prevention against back pain (see our video library for suitable exercises).
“I CAN'T DO MY FAVOURITE ACTIVITY ANYMORE.”
Untrue. Fortunately, most lower back pain isn’t chronic, but limited to a certain period of time. So it is only matter of time before you will overcome it. Be pro-active about it! The sooner you start moving again, the sooner you will be fine.
“I SHOULD ALWAYS SIT STRAIGHT, THEN I'M FINE.”
No. Sitting straight in your office chair all the time will only lead to one-sided use of your muscle groups. Dynamic sitting, i.e. moving frequently during work, is the right approach to prevent lower back pain.
Also, read our article on Office comfort.
Also, read our article on Office comfort.
Be pro-active about your back! If you are pro-active about your back pain and follow a routine that includes core conditioning and flexibility exercises (you can find suitable exercises in our video library) you can greatly contribute to getting rid of your pain by strengthening your back and holding further back pain at bay. You might also want to talk to your doctor about what routine is right for you and what else you can do if you find that stress or psychological factors contribute to your back pain.
Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Important: consult a health professional in case of an injury or if you suspect overuse of joints or a medical condition such as a fracture. A physician should be consulted in those acute cases when the condition is accompanied by reddening, swelling or hyperthermia of joints, ongoing joint trouble or severe pain and/or are associated with neurological symptoms (e.g. numbness, tingling, loss of motion). For further information regarding Hansaplast products, please contact us via email on phc@beiersdorf.com. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products‘ packages.
