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!

Oh yes, you can. Of course, each case of back pain requires an individual solution. But there are a great number of resources available for any back pain sufferer who chooses to be proactive 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 do 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 well-being and the immune system. The sooner you forget the misconception that back pain is some sort of disability that you must accept, the better.

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 repeated injury, by recalibrating your back and abdominal muscles. Talk to your doctor about the activity that is best for you and your condition.

Unfortunately, this is not true. Even with exercise, there is no guarantee. Even great athletes can suffer from occasional back pain. But if you stay in good shape, your pain will be less intense and less frequent. If your pain recurs constantly, you should see a medical professional. Generally, it is recommended to stick to an exercise programme – including strength training and stretching for all muscle groups – as an effective prevention against back pain. (See our video library for a variety of suitable exercises.)

Untrue. Fortunately, most lower back pain is not chronic, but limited to a certain period of time. You will overcome the pain sooner if you are proactive and start moving. 

No. Sitting straight in your office chair all the time will lead to one-sided use of your muscle groups. Dynamic sitting, that is, moving frequently while you work, is the right approach to prevent lower back pain.

Also, please read our article on Office comfort.

Be proactive! 

If you are proactive about your back pain and follow an exercise routine that includes core conditioning and flexibility exercises, you can greatly contribute to getting rid of your pain by strengthening your back and holding further back pain at bay. (You will find a variety of suitable exercises in our video library.) 

You might also want to talk to your doctor about which exercise 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 tips above replace professional medical advice. Consult a health expert 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 about Elastoplast products, please contact us at consumer.relations.uk@beiersdorf.com 

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