Deceptive Myths About Back Problems
If you ever had to experience back problems, chances are you have come across some advice about how to manage these issues. There are many myths that float around when you start getting older, if you have joint or specifically back problems.
Let’s take a look at these false beliefs in more detail.
Bed-Rest:
Bed-Rest could easily be one of the most harmful myth that you could have come across when it comes to back pain. Bed-rest used to be a very old school methodology of treating back pain when science had not caught up. However, more & more new research has supported that movement and especially the RIGHT movements are the best solution when you have an acute episode of back pain.
Back Pain is caused by Tight Hamstrings:
Have you ever heard of one of these? Chances are if you have had back pain for a while & you have been around looking for solutions, you most likely have.
However physiologically, this theory cannot be further from the truth & you can give your poor hamstrings a break from stretching. Having good hamstrings flexibility or being able to touch your toes, mobility in general, is a very positive factor, but clinical research has found no correlation between tight hamstrings & having back pain.
That is because most pain emanates from discal tissue, nerves or maybe even facet joints. So having tight hamstrings will have absolutely no effect on these structures & thereby on your back pain.
My Back hurts, let me get a Massage:
Chances are have either said these words yourself or heard a friend or family member say it. We all like getting massages, it is a great way to relax, unwind and improve blood-lymph circulation to the general area. But to claim that it will actually SOLVE your back problem or help you get active or walk longer or play golf again is far from the truth.
It is mostly like putting a band-aid on your wound. It would not do much to address the root cause of your problem or even help you walk longer. It may make you FEEL better for a little bit but it won’t take long for you to find yourself in the same situation as you were before you got that massage. In some cases, if are experiencing back problems, massage can relax your supporting muscles way too much, eventually causing more harm than benefit.
Back Problems Start with One Incident or Episode:
Majority of back problems have started from changes that accrue from years of postural stresses and lifestyle factors that our spine goes through from repeated bending forward - may it be lifting suitcases, doing laundry, cleaning, gardening, yard work etc. and postural stress of sitting.
Sitting has become a big part of our lives now. Our ancestors used to move around a lot more. And our joints are built to move. They are not designed to be in stating position for several hours. Especial in the highly unnatural for our body position folded in the office chair.
So all these contributing factors for days, months & years add up and start to make the collagen tissue in our disks & spine weak and eventually one fine day, it is one episode of bending forward to pick up a pen or lift a weight that throws out your back.
Back Pain is caused by Weak Core:
This is a very controversial one, so let’s make a break it down of this statement. Almost every patient with a diagnosis of “back pain and sciatica” or any other spinal issue gets the same advice of strengthening their core?
But Is strengthening your core REALLY the answer to all your back related problems? What does Research say about it? Let’s stop and take a look. Most of the recent research about low back pain & sciatica issues talks about MOVEMENT in a specific direction or directional reference. Put simply, that means doing the RIGHT movements for your spinal condition. That would be different for every individual and needs to be determined by a personal assessment or private training session.
So now you can get a general idea, based on science & research, what can cause, prevent an help to resolve the issues with the back. At our classes we are focusing PRESICELY on extending most of our joints at the same time as giving the important muscle support, which gives the necessary body alignment as well as harmonic balance - the key to overcome ANY joint pain. Correct MOVEMENT is your best therapy.
We look forward to seeing our at our classes! Xoxo
Source: healthwatcherspt.com