Many forms of back pain are no longer curable by therapies

How useful are operations for back pain?

Many people in the Western world suffer from back pain. Often sufferers then go to the doctor and wonder if the treatment is unsuccessful and the back pain persists. Researchers now found that back pain in people often has no obvious cause and that doctors should stop giving people the impression that they can heal back pain.

Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire and Curtin University found in their current research that the majority of back pain treatments seem to be redundant because they do not work. Often, sufferers are advised by doctors to such treatments. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "British Journal of Sports Medicine".

Not every pain can be cured

Doctors often use X-rays of changes, such as spinal disc degeneration, to explain back pain. However, such changes are common even in people without pain, argues study author Professor Peter O'Sullivan of Curtin University. It is a myth that the stubborn musculoskeletal pain can be cured without obvious cause, the professor further explains.

Patients need to be honestly educated about back pain

Doctors, physiotherapists, and all healthcare professionals should be much more honest with people with back pain when it comes to what they do as health professionals for those affected, and what results treatments can actually achieve. Changes that are often seen in X-rays are also found in people who do not suffer from pain at all. This strongly suggests that the symptoms or pain experienced by those affected, not come from the observed changes, explain the physicians.

Posture cause of back pain?

This would mean that many people undergo surgery on structures such as tendons, cartilage, and bones, which are not the cause of their symptoms, says study author Professor Lewis of the University of Hertfordshire. Another example is when a person is informed that the symptoms are related to poor posture. Again, most evidence disproves the claim that certain postures are a cause of pain. Many patients wrongly believe that their body is weak and damaged. As a result, they often avoid certain movements and activities, or may want surgery to solve their problem, the experts explain.

Hundreds of thousands of operations do not solve the problem

Every year, there are hundreds of thousands (if not more) of surgeries around the world, but they do not solve the root cause of the problems, says Professor Lewis. This also applies to people who receive treatments to improve their attitude. Also, manipulations of the joints or treatments to improve the core stability for back pain are often unsuccessful. People with trauma, cancer, or loss of strength or feeling in the legs should see a doctor to make sure there is no serious illness. However, a scan or an X-ray does not always lead to the most sensible and fastest solution to the problem, say the doctors.

How do I keep my back healthy?

What keeps your back healthy are exercise, regular activity, good sleep habits and a healthy body weight, the experts explain. Thus it is unhealthy for the back, if movement and activity are avoided. Be sure to maintain a normal body weight, advises Professor Lewis. Scans and X-rays are often not the right solution, because every person over 60 years suffering from degeneration. This is similar to wrinkles on the skin and part of a natural aging process, adds the researcher. Perform gentle stretching to keep your back mobile, exercise regularly, and generally look for a healthy lifestyle, scientists suggest.

Get advice from a specialist

As with other chronic diseases, there is no magic cure for persistent and disabling musculoskeletal pain, physicians explain. This should also be made clear to those affected. If we deal more honestly with the type of treatment and the type of care that is currently being offered, the best results for those affected can be achieved, the authors add to the study. If you have back pain, it is always advisable to see a doctor. Various factors can affect the amount of movement and activity that an individual can complete. Therefore, you should always talk to a specialist to determine the best type of treatment and the right amount of exercise, advise the experts. (As)