Back Pain - What Really Helps and What Is Best Avoided?

Back pain has become one of the most common health issues in modern times. Some people experience sudden discomfort in their lower back, others wake up with neck pain, while others live for years with the feeling that they must watch every movement carefully. Despite the availability of more information than ever before about spinal problems, many individuals still struggle to answer the most pressing question: Why does it hurt at all? Dr. Dejan Kernc, founder of the Re.aktiv clinic, explained that many patients suffer from lower back pain even though medical examinations fail to reveal a clear cause. People often assume that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will provide the answer, but this isn't always the case. An MRI shows how the spine looks, but it doesn’t necessarily explain why someone is experiencing pain. In such cases, the condition is often referred to as nonspecific low back pain. Kernc avoids using this term because it groups together individuals with completely different underlying issues. One person might feel pain when sitting, another when walking, and yet another during sports. All receive the same diagnosis despite having entirely different root causes. At Re.aktiv, the focus is not just on the MRI findings. The clinic investigates when the pain occurs, what triggers it, what relieves it, and above all, why it developed in the first place. Only after connecting these elements can a personalized solution be found, tailored to the individual rather than merely their diagnosis. Two people with the same diagnosis may require entirely different approaches. Kernc emphasizes that it's not the MRI result or the diagnosis itself that is treated, but the person. Two individuals could have identical MRI scans yet lead completely different lives. One might want to run a marathon again, while another might simply wish to lift their grandchild without pain or take a long walk. Understanding the patient’s lifestyle, what causes them pain, what they wish to return to, and what currently prevents them from living normally is crucial. Many patients come seeking immediate relief from their pain, which is understandable. However, Kernc insists that understanding the origin of the pain should be the priority. Without knowing why the pain occurred, treatment becomes guesswork. Trying one therapy, another exercise, or a third piece of advice and hoping for improvement is not effective. The most important question at each consultation, according to Kernc, is: Why did the pain develop in the first place? Only after understanding the reasons behind the issue can the next steps be chosen, not just to reduce the pain, but to ensure it doesn’t recur. Patients who undergo an MRI often hear that surgery is unnecessary, even if they experience severe pain. Kernc reassures them that this is good news, as most spinal problems don’t require surgical intervention. He explains that the MRI image is only part of the story. He sees this daily in his clinic, some people have significant changes on their scans but experience little to no pain, while others have minor changes but suffer greatly from pain that affects their ability to sit, walk, or sleep. Therefore, Kernc never focuses solely on the MRI results. He always connects the findings with the individual’s life. He asks about their lifestyle, the movements that trigger the pain, what worsens or alleviates it, and what they are no longer able to do due to the pain. Only when the MRI findings are linked to the patient’s personal story can a complete picture emerge. This allows for the selection of an approach tailored specifically to the individual, not just their diagnosis. Pain recurrence is common among some individuals. This often happens because the pain is addressed, but not the underlying cause. If the reason for the pain is not resolved, it may return repeatedly. Understanding the root cause is essential to prevent future episodes of pain. Patients visiting Dr. Kernc’s clinic will learn several key points: why they are experiencing pain, what the MRI findings mean (if applicable), what activities they can safely engage in and which ones they should avoid, and how to return to the lifestyle they enjoy. This comprehensive approach aims to address both the symptoms and the underlying causes of back pain, ensuring long-term relief and improved quality of life.