You Are Not Your MRI: Understanding Lower Back Pain Beyond the Label.
"My Back Is Sore... I Think I Have a Slipped Disc."
If I had a rand for every time I heard that phrase in my clinic...
Many patients walk through my door with lower back pain and a diagnosis—either self-given or confirmed by a scan. They've been told they have a "pinched nerve," a "slipped disc," or they remember a past injury involving one. And while these terms can sometimes point us in the right direction, they often come with something more concerning: fear.
Fear of bending forward. Fear of twisting. Fear that their spine is fragile, unstable, or beyond repair.
Labels Can Limit Recovery
When we’re told there’s something “wrong” with our back, it’s natural to avoid movement. Thoughts like “If I bend over, it might spasm again” or “I don’t want to make it worse” can create a cycle of avoidance. Unfortunately, this often leads to weakness, stiffness, and prolonged pain.
But here’s the truth:
Pain is not always a sign of damage. And your body is far more resilient than you think.
The Body Exists on a Spectrum—Not in Black and White
Yes, sometimes there is a significant disc injury. But in most cases, this would require major trauma, like a car accident, or long-term repetitive strain. What we see more often are subtle, small-scale changes that the body can recover from with the right support.
Let’s explore two big ideas that help reframe how we understand back pain:
1. MRI Results Don’t Tell the Whole Story
A landmark study once MRI’d a large group of people, many of whom had no back pain at all. What they found was surprising:
Many “asymptomatic” individuals had disc bulges, degeneration, or other so-called “abnormalities.”
These people were still running, paddling, cycling, lifting weights and living normal lives without restriction.
What does that tell us?
Just because something shows up on a scan doesn’t mean it’s causing pain. In fact, pain is influenced by many other factors—stress, sleep, mindset, activity levels, and more.
2. Injuries Come in Grades—Not Just “Good” or “Broken”
Think of an ankle sprain. We grade them from 1 to 3:
Grade 1: Mild, with some minor tearing
Grade 2: Moderate, more damage but still stable
Grade 3: Complete tear, significant instability
Now apply that to your spine.
Discs are made of strong connective tissue, and over time, they can develop micro-tears from repetitive strain. This triggers an inflammatory response—your body’s natural healing process. But inflammation also sensitizes nerve endings, which can amplify pain, even if the injury is minor.
So what might feel like a catastrophic injury—a "slipped disc"—could be a grade 1 or 2 strain. It hurts, yes, but it’s not the end of the road. And no, your spine is not “slipping out of place.”
Pain Is the Brain’s Call to Action
Pain is how your brain tells you something needs attention. It doesn't always mean damage—sometimes it’s just a heightened awareness.
The trick to recovery?
Change the experience.
When we give the body safe, positive movement experiences, the brain starts to adapt. It updates its expectations. It stops seeing movement as dangerous. And as a result, the pain begins to settle.
So, What Can You Do?
At my practice, our approach focuses on:
Manual therapy (such as dry needling, chiropractic adjustments, and soft tissue therapy)
Guided movement to restore confidence and reduce sensitivity
Education—because understanding your body informs good decisions about how and when to see a professional and what kind of exercise you should do.
Once movement feels good again, the whole system starts to calm down. Pain becomes less dominant. Strength and confidence return.
The Takeaway: You Are Not Your Diagnosis
You are not your MRI.
You are not your “slipped disc.”
You are not your arthritis.
You are adaptable. Your body is strong. And healing is possible, with the right guidance and the right mindset.
Ready to move better and feel stronger?
👉 Book Now: https://drhilton.bookem.com
📍 Milner Dental and medical house (1 milner road, Tamboerskloof) | Cape Town