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10 facts every person should know about back pain

PainSci » bibliography » O’Sullivan et al 2019
updated
Tags: back pain, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, pain problems, spine, pro

Two articles on PainSci cite O’Sullivan 2019: 1. When to Worry About Low Back Pain2. The Complete Guide to Low Back Pain

PainSci notes on O’Sullivan 2019:

A highly credible and readable explanation of back pain myths. Lead author Peter O’Sullivan shared the myths and a nice featured infographic in a tweet. Here are the “unhelpful” low back pain beliefs, “culturally endorsed and not supported by evidence,” identified by the authors:

  1. FALSE: Low back pain is usually a serious medical condition.
  2. FALSE: Low back pain will become persistent and deteriorate in later life.
  3. FALSE: Persistent low back pain is always related to tissue damage.
  4. FALSE: Scans are always needed to detect the cause of low back pain.
  5. FALSE: Pain related to exercise and movement is always a warning that harm is being done to the spine and a signal to stop or modify activity.
  6. FALSE: Low back pain is caused by weak “core” muscles and having a strong core protects against future Low back pain.
  7. FALSE: Repeated spinal loading results in “wear and tear” and tissue damage.
  8. FALSE: Pain flare-ups are a sign of tissue damage and require rest.
  9. FALSE: Treatments such as strong medications, injections and surgery are effective, and necessary, to treat Low back pain.

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