Back Pain Myths: What’s True and What’s Not
Written by Monique Jordan-Cave
Hatha Yoga Teacher
Hello, fellow Soul Leader,
Truth bombs for creative pros tired of sitting, stressing, and stretching their way to nowhere.
Let’s Get One Thing Straight (Your Spine, Maybe?)
You’re out here slaying deadlines, juggling clients, cueing up lights, and possibly doing it all with a nagging pain in your back that just won’t quit.
You’ve tried yoga, standing desks, chiropractor appointments that cost more than your gym membership—and you’re still stiff, sore, and secretly Googling “Can I swap my spine?”
Sound familiar?
You're not alone.
Whether you're a marketing exec hunched over campaign briefs, a music manager hauling gear, or a TV pro surviving long shoot days—back pain is the not-so-silent co-star of your career.
But here’s the deal: a whole lot of what you’ve heard about back pain?
Total nonsense.
Let’s bust some myths, clear the air, and give your spine the truth serum it deserves.
1. “Back Pain Means Something Is Seriously Broken”
Here’s a spicy truth for your nervous system: most back pain is not a sign of something catastrophic. It’s just your body saying, “Hey, remember me? Maybe let’s not sit for 9 hours straight.”
The truth:
Imaging like MRIs often shows “problems” in people without any pain.
Many aches are caused by muscle imbalances, stress, and lack of movement—not injury.
Power Move:
Stop panicking. Start moving.
Gentle movement (like yoga or walking) can reduce inflammation and get those muscles back online.
Your back isn’t broken—it’s just bored and mad.
2. “I Should Rest Until It Goes Away”
Ah, yes. The ol’ lie-down-and-hope-for-the-best strategy.
Spoiler alert: resting too much actually makes it worse.
Why?
Your muscles stiffen.
Your brain starts associating rest with relief and movement with pain = fear cycle.
You end up losing strength, flexibility, and confidence.
Real talk:
Movement is medicine.
Even five minutes of mindful stretching (hello, cat-cow pose!) can ease the tightness and reduce those “locked up” feelings.
You don’t need to run a marathon—just keep moving like your body’s your BFF.
3. “Back Pain Is Just Part of Getting Older”
If I had a pound for every time someone said, “It’s just age,” I’d be writing this from a beach in Bali.
Yes, our bodies change as we grow wiser (see what I did there?), but pain is not inevitable.
Let’s flip this:
Sedentary lifestyles, not age, are the real culprits.
Strength training, mobility work, and mindfulness practices can make your back feel younger than your playlist.
Don’t let back pain become your new personality. You’re not “too old” to feel good—you’re too brilliant to keep settling.
4. “Good Posture Is Everything”
This one’s tricky. Because yes, slouching all day like a melting candle won’t help, but obsessing over perfect posture is its own stressor.
Truth bomb:
There's no one “perfect” posture.
The best position is your next position—a.k.a: move often and switch it up.
What works better:
Micro-movements throughout the day
Swapping sitting with standing
Breathwork + mindful awareness of your body
It’s not about sitting perfectly.
It’s about moving regularly and tuning in like the creative legend you are.
5. “Strong Core = No More Pain”
It’s a partial truth with a side of marketing spin.
A strong core helps, sure. But your core is more than abs—it’s your entire trunk, including your glutes, back, and even your breath.
What helps more than just crunches?
Diaphragmatic breathing (yes, breathing right can ease pain)
Functional movements like squats, lunges, and twists
Yoga-based flows that integrate core control, flexibility, and alignment
The goal isn’t six-pack abs. It’s core harmony, baby.
You’re Not Broken—You’re Becoming Aware
Back pain doesn’t mean you’re doomed, weak, or “getting old.”
It means your body is whispering (okay, sometimes screaming), asking for some love, some movement, and maybe a break from the desk chair of doom.
Truth is: You’re not lazy, dramatic, or imagining it. But you might be misinformed.
And when you know better, you do better.
Which back pain myths have you been believing—and what would change if you let it go?
Let me know in the comments below.
Over to you!
MJx
I bind you in white light to which no negative energy can enter.
✨ Let’s Keep It Moving
Ready to feel better in your body without boring stretches or gym guilt?
Sign up for my FREE Mindful Mondays Yoga Class—designed for real people with real back pain and real jobs. Whether you're on set, backstage, or behind a screen, you'll get movement, breath, and alignment that works for you.
👉 Join the class now—your back will thank you.
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Thank you for joining me in The Alignment Lounge.
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