Mary Schatz, M.D.
Three Myths About Back Pain
Mary Schatz, M.D.
The Emmy winning talk show, The Doctors, recently ran a segment called "Not True. Not True. Not True. Three Myths About Back Pain." The Doctors, a panel of 4 renowned physicians with different medical specialties, set out to debunk three of the most commonly held beliefs surrounding chronic back pain. With 8 out 10 Americans suffering from some form of back pain, The Doctors tell us that most of us are uninformed when it comes to making decisions about our treatment and pain management solutions. They not only dispel the myths, they give us their recommendations for overcoming back pain. Of great importance is their advice to "Ask about yoga, too - research shows it's especially effective at reducing chronic low back pain." The feature was also published in USA Weekend.
As a medical doctor, certified Iyengar yoga instructor and back pain sufferer, I know firsthand the debilitating pain that plagues so many individuals. I have worked for many years creating the gentle yoga routines featured in my book, Back Care Basics, and iPhone app, Computer Rx - YogaMD, to help aid those suffering from back and neck pain, arthritis, stress-related health problems, scoliosis and other medical.
Here are my thoughts on what The Doctors have to say about back pain myths…
MYTH 1: Working out makes it worse.
The Doctors agree that weak muscles can lead to chronic pain. Regular exercise and yoga are some of the best methods we can use to strengthen our back and abdominal muscles, which can help alleviate pain. And while exercise is usually the last thing we feel like doing when we are in pain, certain resistance exercises, stretching, and low-impact aerobics, such as walking or swimming, can really increase your flexibility and improve your posture.
However, I believe this "myth" may actually have some truth in it. It all depends on how you have been working out. If you have been working out with bad posture and not listening to your body's signals that you are doing something injurious, your workout can definitely make things worse. Approach your exercise routine with new information about posture, alignment and flexibility from my book or iPhone app. You may find relief rather than relapse…gain rather than pain!
MYTH 2: Surgery is your best bet.
According to research recently published by The Journal of the American Medical Association, there is little evidence to show that surgery is the best treatment method for chronic back pain… despite the tremendous increase in complex spinal surgeries. The research shows that ninety-percent of back pain sufferers will get better on their own, without any treatment, or with limited non-invasive treatment. The Doctors suggest trying non-invasive approaches, such as physical therapy, exercise or medication, first.
I fully support a non-invasive approach to healing and often suggest specialized yoga poses for my patients to try.
MYTH 3: Mind set doesn't matter
The Doctors know that back pain IS a physical condition, but they also know that how we think about it can affect our whole being. If we are constantly thinking about pain, the pain will be there. But studies show that if we can change our mindset, it may ease our pain.
The Relaxation techniques I suggest to my patients are powerful and easy-to-use lessons in changing your frame of mind. By shifting our thinking away from pain and easing into a more peaceful, stress-free state, we can allow pain and muscle strain to calm down and return toward normal. These relaxation techniques can be found in Back Care Basics, my Relaxation Basics audio CD, and in the Computer Rx - YogaMD iPhone app.
Conclusion:
The Doctors offer us some sound advice when it comes to managing our back pain. I strongly believe that surgery should always be the very last treatment of choice in treating chronic back pain. And while back injuries and back traumas can certainly take time to heal completely, there is hope for conquering your persistent pain. Yoga stretching, strengthening, postural correction and relaxation techniques are all non-invasive treatment options I recommend to my patients. Give these approaches a try first, and you might be able to avoid surgery entirely.
To read The Doctors'original article at USA Today Weekendclick here…
