Back pain is a subject which many people will be familiar with. I'm sure we all know someone who suffers with chronic pain – even if we don't ourselves! However, there are a number of myths and old wives' tales surrounding this condition and I intend to dispel five of them here. First of all, exercise. It's a commonly held belief that people with bad backs or pain should not exercise. In fact, the reverse is often true. Gentle exercise such as stretching and swimming is often very beneficial for many long-term back ailments and can help strengthen muscles and ligaments which will reduce your chances of suffering from recurring episodes.

Linked the exercise myth is another popular old wives' tale – that people with bad backs shouldn't lift things. What nonsense! People suffering from this aliment should continue to move as normal, as a lack of movement can cause the back muscles to become far more fragile than they already are. Many people who damage their muscles again through lifting do so after a lack of other movement over a period of time. Anyone, regardless of pain, should take care when lifting heavy objects. Keep your knees bent, back straight and don't twist.

Many people believe that it is a long term ailment which never truly gets better. Another myth. The symptoms will clears up after a few days, if not weeks. If you follow the advice from your doctor or therapist, most forms will clear up quite quickly. Long-term or recurring back pain can be treated effectively with massage therapy, back pain therapy, and careful exercise carried out in tandem with medical intervention in the form of painkillers or anti-inflammatories. Taking care with posture and your seated working position can also be beneficial in negating the effects of these problems.

On the subject of posture, it is not always true that sitting up straight will stop you getting a bad back. Of course, good posture is beneficial to reducing the likelihood of symptoms but that does not mean sitting bolt upright in your chair, which can often cause more harm than good. Sitting unnaturally straight puts an immense amount of pressure on the back. A gentle, natural curve in the back is most beneficial, especially with both feet flat on the floor. Many people who visit massage therapists do so due to a lack of care over posture. Many massage therapists see just as many people admitted due to sitting up too straight as they do those who slouch and hunch.

Lastly, but not least, back pain does not always require surgery. You'd be amazed at how many people think it does. Over ninety percent of symptoms disappear within one to three months without recurring and a tiny percentage of people ever require back surgery. Even serious injuries such as slipped discs can be treated easily without surgery. Most back disorders requiring surgery are used to stabilize areas or take pressure away from nerves. However, with careful exercise and consideration, plus the consideration of massage therapy, the vast majority of suffers can avoid surgery altogether.