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Female Focus Common mistakes of dealing with back pain


When back pain strikes for the first time, it brings with it many decisions to be made: How long should you wait before seeing a doctor? What do the test results mean? Should you get surgery?


Article supplied by Kevin Thornton,


Telephone 96 676 5686


When back pain begins, an initial course of stretching and other nonsurgical treatments is often recommended before any other considerations.


There are no set of right or wrong answers to these questions, each person’s individual situation is unique. But through the collective wisdom of physical therapists and others who have dealt with back pain, these choices seem to be factors that may make your back pain worse or delay getting relief through the right treatment.


Mistake #1: Ignoring your pain for too long


While it’s true that low back pain usually gets better within a few weeks, don’t make the mistake of ignoring it too long. Go to a spine specialist to get a diagnosis and treatment plan. With a correct diagnosis, you can start to map out a recovery plan that may include exercise, massage therapy, or a visit with your physical therapist.


Mistake #2: Choosing surgery too quickly While surgery can fix a specific anatomical problem, such as a herniated


disc pressing on a nerve, conditions like degenerative disc disease, are better managed long-term with physical therapy and an exercise monitored plan.


Mistake #3: Focusing on imaging results


Imaging tests like MRI or CT scans are just pictures; they do not show pain. In fact, you may have terrible pain and a scan that shows a normal looking spine, or you may have a scan that shows a large herniated disc, yet have no


pain. A skilled physician will be able to read your imaging test results and combine them with information from your patient history and physical exam to produce an accurate diagnosis.


Mistake #4: Remaining inactive


If you are in acute pain, a few days of doctor-recommended rest is fine. However, lack of activity can in fact lead to more pain over time, so don’t stay idle too long. Keeping your back and supporting structures flexible and strong means that they can better support your spine, it will also encourage the healing process at a much faster rate, and minimise the chance of future pain or injury. The core abdominal and back muscles don’t get much exercise from everyday activities and need specific attention.


This article is for information purposes ONLY and should not be used as a diagnostic tool. Always consult with your medial adviser or G.P. on all medical matters. Should you require any further information, have any other question that you may want answered or would prefer a one to one FREE consultation then please contact Kevin on 96 676 5686 or 605 306 129 or email him on


physicaltherapyclinic@yahoo.com or sitam66@yahoo.co.uk.


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