Myths about Pain and Posture
                     Milpitas Spine Centre 
MYTHS ABOUT PAIN AND 
POSTURE
 It is often believed that poor posture, lack of 
core strength, or structural abnormalities is 
major causes of back pain. Another assumption 
is that these issues can be corrected through 
measures such as stretching, strengthening, 
postural retraining, and surgery. Although these 
approaches are widely adopted to treat pain, 
but there is significant evidence questioning 
effectiveness of these approaches. Let’s take a 
look how these beliefs can be mere myths. 
POSTURE
 From physical therapists, 
chiropractors and even personal 
trainers, you might have heard that a 
bad posture can cause pain. And they 
may be right about it 90% of the time; 
however, this is not true all the time. 
Let’s look at the evidences. 
TEENAGERS
 In one study, researchers looked at the 
posture of teenagers and then tracked 
who developed back pain in adulthood. 
They found that teenagers with 
postural asymmetry, thoracic kyphosis 
(chest slumping) and lumbar lordships 
(overly arched low lack) showed no 
signs of developing back pain 
compared with others with “better” 
posture.
PREGNANT WOMEN
 During pregnancy women’s low back curve 
and pelvic angle are increased. Researchers 
found that women with more postural 
distortion were no more likely to have back 
pain during the pregnancy. 
 Based on systematic review of more than 
fifty four studies, it was found that there is 
no strict correlation between posture and 
pain. Leg length inequality, less than 20mm, 
seem to have no effect on back pain. 
STRUCTURAL ABNORMALITIES 
 (Disc Degeneration, Bulging Discs, and Other MRI Abnormalities)
 Another common perception is that bulging discs or other 
degenerative changes identified by MRI cause back pain. Many 
people find surgery to be the only solution for such issues. However, 
numerous studies show that this is not true and structural 
abnormalities are poor predictors of pain.
 During a study MRIs were performed on subjects who did not have 
back pain. It lead to surprising findings that 52% percent of these 
subjects had at least one bulging disc or some other MRI abnormality 
which required surgery. Likewise, MRIs were performed on individuals 
who had never suffered from low back pain, and it was revealed that 
one-third had a substantial spinal abnormality and 20% under the 
age of 60 had a herniated disc. Such evidences indicate that a 
surgeon may see something in the image, but not necessarily it 
causes a problem.
CORE STRENGTH AND BACK PAIN
 The belief that good core strength is essential for a 
healthy back is another myth because it is important to 
note that most of life requires only minimal activation of 
the core musculature. The rectus abdominis has an 
average activity of two percent of maximal voluntary 
contraction during walking, whereas the external oblique 
operates at five percent. Trunk flexors and extensors are 
estimated to fire at less than one percent, while standing. 
An increased weight will make them fire at three percent. 
Likewise, during bending and lifting, the muscular 
activation is low. All this information establishes that little 
core strength in required. That is why pain does not get 
affected by increased core strength. 
CONCLUSIONS
 From the above discussion the possibility pain stemming from 
herniated discs, torn labrums or other structural abnormalities 
cannot be ruled out. These problems can cause pain, therefore 
to avoid any serious damage you must see a doctor or 
chiropractor. However, if a large number of people with bulging 
discs do not experience pain then, how likely is it that a bulging 
disc can cause back pain? A close inspection will reveal that 
there is something wrong with almost any joint in the body. So 
don’t assume that whatever shows up on the MRI is the source 
of your pain.
 For more information about pain and whether you should see a 
chiropractor, talk to our experts at Milpitas Spine Center. The 
residents of Fremont can find qualified and experienced 
Fermont Chiropractors in their vicinity. 
THANK YOU