"The more back pain I experience, the more damage my back has sustained."
This may seem to make sense, but correlation doesn't always equal causation. With minor pains, this tends to be true (i.e., if you stub your toe, you'll feel immediate pain), but when chronic pain comes into the picture, the level of pain does not directly relate to the amount of damage.

"Those who are physically fit generally do not experience back pain."
Again, this may seem to have some logic behind it; it isn't an absolute. Spine-health.com says, "While it’s true that well-conditioned individuals are less likely to have an episode of back pain than sedentary individuals, back pain can affect all people regardless of the level of activity. Some sports are more likely to cause back pain, such as golf, volleyball and gymnastics. In all cases, however, the back should be considered a priority in conditioning, because it creates a stable platform from which the arms and legs work."

"Severe back pain can cause paralysis."
Most people know that Your spine is made up of 26 bone discs called vertebrae. The vertebrae protect your spinal cord and allow you to stand and bend. Spinal diseases often cause pain and limit movement when bone changes put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. However, the lower back is primarily composed of what are known as nerve roots, which are very strong. In the vast majority of cases, even the most severe back pain does not cause paralysis. There are some exceptions, however, where if left untreated, paralysis can occur. Examples include spinal infections and tumors in addition to unstable spine fractures.

Ultimately, understanding these common myths and misconceptions can pave the way toward a healthy recovery and a healthy life. For more information about how to receive back pain treatment at a physical therapy center, contact Michiana Spine.