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Myth: Most back pain is caused by a slipped disc.
Fact: Only 1 to 3 percent of low back pain results from herniated, or slipped,
discs.
Myth: Most back problems eventually require surgery.
Fact: Fewer than one person in 1,000 with low back pain will need surgery.
Myth: Everyone with back pain will need an MRI.
Fact: In certain cases, MRI is very useful in diagnosing back pain. However, not
everyone with back pain needs this test. Also, MRI is not a treatment for
back pain.
Myth: Everyone has low back pain. It's something that has to be endured until it
becomes disabling.
Fact: Some 6.5 million Americans are treated for low back pain each day. Getting
help early is very important to successful treatment because it can reduce
the number of times back pain recurs.
Myth: Only people who do heavy labor or much lifting suffer intense low back pain.
Fact: Up to 90 percent of adults experience low back pain at some time in their
lives. In addition to heavy lifting, other factors that increase the risks
of developing low back pain include being overweight, sitting for long periods,
driving and smoking.
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