Every week, patients arrive in clinic repeating the same handful of myths about back pain — some inherited from outdated advice, others triggered by scary-sounding words on a radiology report. None of them are true, and believing them can genuinely slow down recovery.
Below are the myths I correct most often, explained in plain language. Tap into any one that sounds familiar.
Scans are excellent at spotting serious problems — and surprisingly poor at explaining ordinary pain.
Myth #1: "My MRI Will Show Exactly Why My Back Hurts" (1)Discs don't "slip" out of place — here's what's actually happening when one is irritated.
Myth #2: "I Have a Slipped Disc" (1)A short rest can help in the first day or two. A week in bed usually makes things worse.
Myth #3: "I Should Stay in Bed Until It Stops Hurting" (1)Discomfort during recovery doesn't mean you're causing damage.
Myth #4: "If It Hurts, I Must Be Damaging My Back" (1)A degenerating disc is closer to a wrinkle than a wound.
Myth #5: "Degenerative Disc Disease Means My Spine Is Falling Apart" (1)Back pain can come and go from time to time without being one long, worsening condition.
Myth #6: "Once You've Had Back Pain, You'll Always Have It" (1)Waiting to be completely pain-free before resuming life often delays recovery rather than protecting it.
Myth #7: "I'll Go Back to Work and Normal Life Once the Pain Is Completely Gone" (1)Most back pain — even with a confirmed disc herniation — never needs an operation.
Myth #8: "Back Pain Always Ends in Surgery Eventually" (1)For the bigger picture on understanding and managing back pain day-to-day, see The Back Pain Guide.