4 Myths About Back Pain

November 21, 2016

Back pain may be common, but it should never be considered normal.

How much do you really know about back pain? Enjoy these good-to-know facts surrounding myths about pain in your body and what it could mean for you.

Myth 1: Back Pain is a Normal Part of Aging

Fact: Just because you’re adding more candles to your birthday cake doesn’t mean it’s normal to add back pain to your life. Sure, getting older may make us more susceptible to certain illnesses or diseases that can cause back pain, but there are steps you can take to actively diminish it and keep your spine healthy—like chiropractic care.

Myth 2: I’m Physically Active, So Back Pain Won’t Be a Problem for Me

Fact: Staying physically fit is one of the many things you can do to keep your back healthy, but unfortunately there isn’t one set way to ensure you never experience back pain. In addition to keeping active, consider eating a highly nutritious diet, lowering stressors in your environment and maintaining proper posture.

Myth 3: I’m Not in A Lot of Pain—So My Injury Must Not Be Bad

Fact: Pain is a poor indicator of how serious your injury could be. Sometimes, pain can take days, weeks or even months to show itself following an injury as inflammation builds up in your body. If you’re experiencing a mild ache or pain that’s persistent, it may be time to get it checked out.

Myth 4: If I Have Back Pain, I Need Surgery

Fact: While nearly everyone will experience back pain at some point in their lives, it’s not a reason to opt for surgery right away. If you’re experiencing pain, try to pursue the least invasive option initially. Think of it this way—chiropractic first, drugs second and surgery third.

If you’ve been experiencing back pain, consider giving our practice a call to schedule an appointment. Back pain may be common, but it’s not normal.

Dr. Christopher Quigley

“I was majoring in chemistry at Villanova University when my path turned to chiropractic. I was going on interviews to be a pharmaceutical sales representative, and they always asked me what I wanted to be doing in five years. My answer was always the same: “I want to be helping people, enjoying my work, while making a difference.”

Why Chiropractic Care Should Play a Bigger Role in Public Health

Looking for a Boston chiropractor focused on conservative, drug-free spine care? At Charles Street Family Chiropractic in Beacon Hill, Dr. Chris Quigley helps patients with back pain, neck pain, sciatica, disc problems, and recurring spinal conditions. Chiropractic care can support mobility, function, and active living while reducing reliance on medications and invasive procedures. Even major medical centers, including the University of South Florida Neurosurgery program, are integrating chiropractic care into collaborative spine treatment and research.

October 14, 2026

The Missing Piece in Chronic Neck Pain Claims: Alar Ligament Injury in Older Whiplash Clients

A 2015 MRI study found signs of alar ligament injury in 55% of older patients whose chronic neck pain had no other identifiable cause. For Boston and Massachusetts personal injury attorneys, that finding speaks to a familiar problem: the client who still hurts months after a car crash, but whose standard imaging reads as “normal” or “age-related degeneration.”

October 4, 2026

Before Back Surgery: What Three Important Studies Say About Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression

The number that should stop every elective-surgery patient in their tracks is 94%.
In a large 2017 Journal of Pain Research study of 1,842 people who had undergone lumbar spine surgery, 94% reported some degree of residual low-back pain. That does not mean 94% had severe pain, nor does it mean 94% of the operations were surgical failures. But for an invasive procedure that many patients understandably hope will eliminate their back pain, the persistence of any low-back pain in such a large proportion of respondents is difficult to dismiss.
The same study found that 20.6% met the researchers’ criteria for failed back surgery syndrome —roughly one out of every five patients. Residual numbness was reported by 69.8%, cold sensations by 43.3%, and paresthesia such as tingling or abnormal sensations by 35.3%.

September 28, 2026