Lower back pain myth No.10: I’ll need strong drugs, injections or surgery

Lower back pain is common, and although it can be very painful, for most back pain the causes are minor. It will get better in time, with or without treatment. Only a very small percentage of people with more serious causes of lower back pain may require surgery. Spinal injections and surgery also bring their own risks and side effects, so aren’t worth considering unless there’s a real need.

For most, simple self-management advice can be helpful, such as keeping active and finding ways to minimise aggravating factors, as can a specific exercise plan and appropriate general exercise. Other approaches, such as manual therapy, can help alongside this.

For persistent back pain, spinal injections, surgery and strong drugs like opioids usually aren’t a cure, and long term use of opioids has significant risks. What is helpful is to find low risk ways for you to manage and control your pain.

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