Low Back Pain Misconceptions

​Have you ever stopped to think about how your patient perceives their low back pain? 
Do patients believe back pain is a normal aspect of aging? 
Do patients believe surgery is the solution to solving acute mechanical low back pain?

As physical therapists, low back pain is by far the most common impairment we treat. Roughly four out of five individuals will experience low back pain at some point during their lives. In previous posts on The Student Physical Therapist, we go into great detail discussing examination and treatment of low back pain. This post has a different focus: our patient's (often flawed) perception of their low back pain.  ​There are so many misconceptions surrounding low back pain. Check out this link from Heafner Health to learn more about the Common Misconceptions regarding Low Back Pain.

Misconceptions covered:
1)Misconception 1: The best treatment for low back pain is rest
2)Misconception 2: Back pain is pathological
3) Misconception 3: Back pain means the back is weak
4) Misconception 4: Back pain is a normal part of aging
5) Misconception 5: ​Disc herniations are the cause of my pain

By understanding the common misconceptions, you can better educate your patients regarding their symptoms and prognosis. 

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Common Low Back Pain Misconceptions