Doctors often come across misconceptions and superstitious beliefs about the causes of back pain and back problems. While several theories are passed down from well-meaning grandmothers, others come from content found on the internet. Learning the truth behind the myths from a trusted source is important for treating back problems in a medically accurate way and preventing further damage to the tissues.
Myth: Lower Back Pain Is a Telltale Sign of Pregnancy
Truth: Research indicates that anatomical and hormonal changes can cause back pain to occur in the later stages of pregnancy, during the second or third trimester, and only a small fraction of women develop back pain during the very early stages.
The possibility may be considered when back pain is accompanied by other revealing symptoms and signs, such as a missed menstrual period, morning sickness, fatigue, headache, and/or body soreness.
Myth: Gas Causes Back Pain
Truth: Abdominal bloating and intestinal gas can cause mild to severe discomfort in the upper body. An increased feeling of bloating and gas can result in tightness in the chest, occasionally accompanied by sharp pain. Back pain is usually not related to abdominal bloating and intestinal gas unless the pain from the abdomen is referred to the back, which is rare.
Back pain may result from gas bubbles within the spine and/or the cerebrospinal fluid, which is the fluid that covers and protects the spinal cord. This gas differs from the intestinal gas and is not related to the symptoms caused by it. The spinal gas bubbles may move slightly depending on the posture and cause focal areas of pressure on the spinal tissues, resulting in upper or lower back pain.
Myth: Sitting Causes Back Pain
Truth: Sitting is an active process and engages the muscles and joints in the spine, hips, and pelvis. When an ergonomically supported posture is adopted while sitting, the stress on these tissues and joints is minimal and does not cause pain.
To minimize these stresses, the following postural adaptations are recommended:
- Sitting straight with the shoulders rolled back and shoulder blades down.
- Keeping both legs hip-distance apart with feet flat on the floor.
- Ensuring that the spine follows its natural curve; placing a small pillow or rolled-up towel to support the lower back.
Even while adopting a supported posture, it is advisable to take frequent breaks, every hour, by getting up, walking around, and/or doing simple stretches.
Following these steps allows the upper and lower back to remain supported at all times and ensures the proper blood flow and nutrition supply to the spinal tissues. When sitting for long hours for work, using active workstations, such as sit-to-stand desks or stability balls allows the body to stay dynamic while seated, and can reduce the risk of developing back pain.
Unsupported sitting postures, which include prolonged hunching or slouching, can cause the abdominal muscles to become strained and painful. Over time, their blood supply is reduced, slowly developing stiffness and weakness in the trunk and lower back. Prolonged sitting in an unsupported posture may also increase loads on the lower spinal discs, causing herniation and back pain with or without sciatica.
Myth: Constipation Does Not Cause Back Pain
Truth: While constipation does not directly affect the lower back tissues, this condition can cause specific disruptions in the body, which may cause or increase back pain.
- Constipation may alter the balance of the gut microbiome (microbes in the intestine), which may result in increased pain perception and anxiety.
- Constipation is associated with insufficient physical activity and excessive sedentary behavior, which can cause chronic lower back pain.
Women are 2 to 3 times more likely to get constipation compared to men.
Myth: Stress Does Not Affect Back Pain
Truth: Stress is an emotional experience that can cause behavioral and psychological alterations in the body – elevating the perception of lower back pain. Depression and anxiety are thought to be the most common stress-related conditions associated with lower back pain.
Research suggests that certain life stressors such as lack of social support and demanding jobs are associated with musculoskeletal back pain. For treating back pain associated with stress, individual psychological management is recommended as the primary treatment, followed by medical treatment for the back problem.
Myth: Back Pain Is Not Related to Kidney Problems
Truth: Certain problems related to the kidney(s) can cause back pain that is severe enough for an emergency room visit. The two most common kidney problems that can cause moderate to severe back pain are kidney stones and a kidney infection. The symptoms can occur on the left and/or right side of the lower back depending on the affected kidney and may be felt as a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing pain.
A more serious kidney condition, renal cell carcinoma, can cause lower back pain. This condition, also called adenocarcinoma, is cancerous and can spread to other parts of the body (metastasize). Back pain in renal cell carcinoma may be similar to vertebral spondylolisthesis, causing severe sciatica-like symptoms, such as radiating leg pain. The symptoms usually occur at night.
Precision Pain Care and Rehabilitation has two convenient locations in Richmond Hill – Queens, and New Hyde Park – Long Island. Call the Queens office at (718) 215-1888 or (516) 419-4480 for the Long Island office to arrange an appointment with our Interventional Pain Management Specialists, Dr. Jeffrey Chacko or Dr. Sonny Ahluwalia.
