01 · UNDERSTAND
I want to understand what’s going on.
How does your back work? What is a herniated disc? Which myths are wrong?
Start here
Evidence-basedBack pain?
Back pain?
Now what.
For most people back pain eases considerably within 6 weeks. Find out what you can do right now.
Not sure what is going on? Take the self-assessment
Evidence check: last performed on 8 September 2026Lancet, JAMA, Cochrane: newest research made easy to find and follow
BACK PAIN RECOVERY
80%
recovers within 6 weeks
Sound familiar?
“Pain low in my back”
“Radiates down my leg”
“Stiff when I get up”
Evidence check: last performed on 8 September 2026Lancet, JAMA, Cochrane: newest research made easy to find and follow
What does the science say?
The facts about back pain, based on large-scale research.
Where do you want
to start?
Choose the topic that is most relevant to you right now.
02 · SELF-CARE
I want to know what I can do now.
First 48 hours, exercises, smart medication use and the role of stress.
Start here
03 · TREATMENTS
I want to know what really works.
Treatments ranked by evidence: from exercise therapy to medication.
Start here
Back pain myths.
Busted.
Much of what everyone knows about back pain turns out to be wrong. Two examples:
01
Myth 01NOT TRUE
“You should stay in bed when you have back pain”
06
Myth 06NOT TRUE
“Paracetamol helps with back pain”
+7
Seven more persistent myths, struck through one by one with scientific evidence.
Discover all 9 mythsEvidence-basedLatest researchNHG · NICE · WHONo advertisingGDPR compliant