Myths vs. Facts: Spine, Brain & Nervous System Health

Know the myths about back pain

Misinformation can create fear or delay care. At CHRISTUS Health, we’re here to make things clear so you can make confident decisions about your health.

The Truth About the Pain in Your Back

Back pain is common, and it’s not always a spine problem. Muscle strain, posture, stress, and arthritis can all play a role. We start with a careful exam and a plan designed around your life.

Knowledge Check

True or False: For most new low back pain without red-flag symptoms, what’s the best next step?

  • A) Immediate MRI
  • B) Two weeks of strict bed rest
  • C) Targeted physical therapy and self-care, with medication as needed
  • D) Schedule spine surgery

 

Reveal Answer

Answer: C.

Most people improve with movement, physical therapy, and self-care; imaging or surgery is reserved for specific situations.

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Answers about Your Back Pain

Myth: When there is back pain, surgery is inevitably needed. 

Fact: Surgery is not the first step for most back pain. Most people improve with conservative care—physical therapy, medications, activity changes, and sometimes injections. Surgery is considered when red‑flag symptoms are present or when conservative treatments haven’t helped.

Myth: Back pain always means a spinal problem. 

Fact: Back pain can stem from muscle strain, poor posture, or stress. It’s not always caused by the spine.

Myth: I will be prescribed opioids. 

Fact: A multimodal plan, anti‑inflammatory meds (when safe), nerve‑targeting meds, physical therapy, and occasionally injections, usually beats opioids.

Myth: If back pain eases a little, I can wait it out. 
Fact: Get care if pain limits activity, sleep, or function—or if you notice red‑flag symptoms like new leg weakness, numbness in the groin/saddle area, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever with severe back pain, or pain after a major fall. These need prompt evaluation.
Myth: If it hurts, movement is harmful. 
Fact: Gentle movement is safe and helpful; your care team will show what to start and what to avoid while you heal.
Myth: A “slipped disc” can’t heal without surgery. 
Fact: Many herniated discs shrink over time; the right plan often relieves symptoms without an operation.

The Truth About Spine Surgery

When conservative care isn’t enough, or when symptoms threaten nerve function, minimally invasive surgery may be the right next step. Our goal: relieve pressure on the nerve, protect function, and get you back to what you love.

Knowledge Check

True or False: Most minimally invasive spine surgeries require an overnight stay.

Reveal Answer

Answer: False.

Many are same‑day procedures because they are “minimally invasive.” Small openings and specialized tools can move muscles aside instead of cutting through them, often less pain and faster recovery.

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Spine Surgery Myths and Truths

Myth: Recovery from back surgery takes weeks in the hospital.  

Fact: Many minimally invasive procedures are outpatient; patients go home the same day.

Myth: Spine surgery must be a large, open procedure. 

Fact: When appropriate, surgeons use minimally invasive approaches, small openings and specialized tools, for less muscle disruption and a quicker recovery. 

Myth: Only “simple” problems can be done minimally invasively. 

Fact: Many complex conditions, such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, spondylolisthesis, and some deformities, can be addressed with minimally invasive approaches that use small openings and specialized tools.

These techniques aim to relieve pressure on nerves and stabilize when needed while sparing healthy muscle. For the right patient, that can mean less pain after surgery and a quicker return to activity. Your surgeon will recommend the safest, most effective approach for your situation.

Myth: Surgery is the first step. 

Fact: Surgery is usually a last resort after non‑surgical treatments.

Surgery is usually a last resort. Before surgery is considered, your physician might order physical therapy, anti‑inflammatory or nerve‑targeting medications, and image‑guided injections.

On Nerve Pain

Nerve pain can feel sharp, burning, tingling, or like “electric shocks.” It often travels from your back into the hip, leg, or foot. At CHRISTUS Health, we focus on finding the source of the irritation and creating a plan that protects nerve function and gets you moving again.

Knowledge Check

True or False: Nerve pain often feels sharp, burning, or electric and can travel from the back into the leg or foot.

Reveal Answer

Answer: True.

Those traveling, “electric” symptoms are consistent with nerve irritation; your clinician confirms the cause with an exam.

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Nerve pain

Myth: Nerve pain always means permanent damage. 

Many causes are treatable and often improve over weeks with the right plan—gentle movement and physical therapy to ease pressure on the nerve, anti‑inflammatory or nerve‑targeting medications when appropriate, and image‑guided injections (e.g., epidural, facet) when needed. We also coach posture, activity pacing, and sleep positioning to protect nerve function and support recovery.

Myth: If pain shoots down the leg, surgery is inevitable. 
Most people improve with conservative care, which includes physical therapy, targeted medications, activity and posture changes, and image‑guided injections. Surgery is considered only when symptoms persist or nerve function is at risk.
Myth: If symptoms vary day to day, it isn’t real nerve pain. 

Nerve symptoms often fluctuate with position, activity, and inflammation; your care plan adapts as you recover.