Episode 297

297. The Biggest Back Pain Myth, with Raphael Bender

Probably everything you were taught in your certification about back pain is wrong. Lifting heavy doesn’t wreck your spine. “Bad posture” isn’t the cause. Avoiding movement? That’s likely making things worse.

In this episode, we break down the myth that spinal load and “incorrect movement” cause low back pain. We’ll cover:

  • Why research shows no strong link between lifting and chronic back pain.
  • The biopsychosocial factors that matter far more than technique.
  • How Pilates instructors can help clients move with confidence, not fear.

References mentioned in the episode:

  • Insufficient Evidence for Load as the Primary Cause of Nonspecific (Chronic) Low Back Pain. A Scoping Review here
  • Should Exercises Be Painful in the Management of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis here, your biggest takeaway or share this with a fellow instructor!

Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender

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About the Podcast

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Pilates Elephants
No-BS, science-based tools to help you become a better, happier and more financially successful Pilates instructor

About your host

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Raphael Bender