08/02/2026
10 facts about persistent low back pain everyone should know 🧠
Persistent back pain is real - but a lot of what we’ve been told about it is outdated. Here’s what modern pain science (including Peter O’Sullivan’s work) wants you to know:
1️⃣ Pain does not always mean damage
You can hurt a lot even when tissues are healthy.
2️⃣ Scans don’t explain most long-lasting back pain
Disc bulges, degeneration, and “wear and tear” are common — even in people with no pain.
3️⃣ Persistent pain = a sensitive nervous system
The body can stay in “danger mode” long after healing.
4️⃣ Fear makes pain worse
Avoiding movement often increases pain and disability.
5️⃣ Your back is strong, not fragile
Spines are built to bend, lift, and move.
6️⃣ Stress, sleep, mood, and beliefs matter
Pain isn’t just physical - life load plays a big role.
7️⃣ Rest isn’t the solution
Gentle, confident movement helps calm pain over time.
8️⃣ Understanding pain helps reduce it
Education alone can improve outcomes.
9️⃣ There’s no one magic exercise or posture
Care should be personal, not cookie-cutter.
🔟 Recovery is possible
Even years of back pain can improve with the right approach.
✨ Persistent low back pain is common - but we are here to help you manage it.
Reference
📌 Back to basics: 10 facts every person should know about back pain - Peter B. O’Sullivan et al., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2020; 54(12):698–699. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-101611
