What's Up Docs? Doctors' Notes: Backs
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Sep 16, 2025 Mindy Cairns, a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and Associate Professor, shares her expertise on managing back pain. She discusses how mental health can influence back pain and offers tips for women during pregnancy. The conversation delves into the quest for the ideal sleep surface, emphasizing that comfort varies for everyone. Moreover, they explore the intricacies of diagnosing low back pain and the role of psychosocial factors in pain perception, making a case for a holistic approach to treatment.
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Choose A Moderately Firm Mattress
- Avoid overly soft or rock-hard mattresses; choose a moderately firm mattress that preserves your spinal curves.
- Don’t spend big on mattresses expecting a magic cure; pick what feels supportive for you.
Mattress Swap Family Story
- Xand recalled helping his parents change a mattress and his dad joked it was older than him.
- The hosts used the story to show mattresses often last decades but aren't a universal fix for back pain.
Don't Scan Routine Low Back Pain
- Do not routinely image simple mechanical low back pain; follow NICE guidance and try conservative care first.
- Only arrange scans if red flags, worsening pain, or failure of conservative management occur.