Back pain is one of the most common health issues worldwide, yet it’s still surrounded by confusion, fear, and myths. In this episode, I sit down with Anthony Ghosh, Consultant Spinal Neurosurgeon, educator and founder of Spine MDT Clinic, to separate fact from fiction and give you a practical toolkit for a healthier spine.
What I love about Anthony’s approach is that he created SpineMDT, a modern, multidisciplinary spine care service, that works alongside physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors to deliver holistic care to his patients, many of whom he believes would NOT benefit from spinal surgery.
We cover:
00:00 – Back pain myths (cracking your back, herniated discs, running, bed rest, standing desks, and heavy bags)
01:16 – What are the main types and causes of back pain?
06:01 – Has back pain become more common in modern life?
07:50 – Does bad posture really cause back pain?
09:03 – Are standing desks better than sitting for your spine?
09:53 – How can I prevent neck and shoulder pain at my desk?
12:12 – Do ergonomic chairs really prevent back pain?
14:04 – Why does back pain increase with age?
15:53 – Should I get an MRI for back pain?
18:26 – When is back surgery really needed?
24:26 – What causes a slipped or herniated disc?
25:51 – Can core exercises stop future back injuries?
29:22 – Can collagen supplements improve spine health?
30:21 – What’s the best sleeping position for back pain?
34:22 – Is a firm or soft mattress better for back health?
39:20 – What are the best exercises to prevent back pain?
41:25 – What are the McGill Big Three back exercises?
47:39 – Should I move or rest if my back hurts?
54:46 – What are the best daily habits for back health?
56:30 – Do barefoot shoes help posture and back pain?
57:53 – What happens when you crack your back?
59:15 – Do chiropractors and physios actually help?
1:05:11 – Does cupping or acupuncture help back pain?
1:06:36 – What new treatments are coming for back pain?
If you’ve ever wondered whether cracking your back is dangerous, if a herniated disc can heal, or what the best daily routine for back health looks like, this episode has the answers.
He’s also a strong advocate for educating patients and challenging outdated ideas about spine health, a message he regularly shares on his growing YouTube channel, Spine MDT and in clinical practice.
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What about osteoporosis impact on back pain. I'm so tired of my pain.
great discussion and advice
may I suggest adding pilates balls also known as swiss balls to the mix
this is my work chair and has been so for decades. get a premium quality ball so that it stays firm and fully round
way cheaper than those fancy expensive options and adds micromobility throughout your sitting session
Wonder if you could consider doing a similar interview with an osteoarthritis specialist, particularly around the issues of protective pain, stress related pain etc. As with Peter O'Sullivan a lot of the research seems to be coming from Australia, Lorimer Mosely is one I have read.
This is a great video with much common sense. However, my past primary physician attributed every little ache in my body to be "well, you're getting older." Wrong answer. My knee pain could be from places both above and below the knee. We need doctors to stop saying "you're getting older." I'm 69 years young, and he is no longer my dr.
Love how no nonsense, down to earth this doc is. I would definitely love to have him as my consultant (unfortunately not in the same country). At a moment in time when I'm in a lot of back pain, I'm grateful for his advise. Great interview. Thank you!
No one talked about the back extension machine (Roman Chair)?
Interview didn’t sound that informational. Very generic information that you gear everywhere from people who never overcame actual back pain.
A good source of information is the channel Low Back Ability.
Superb interview
Spondylolisthesis grade 1 to 2 L4/5…..in pain all the time. Every neurosurgeon just wants to cut and do a fusion…idont want a fusion.
Peptides have helped me ……
This interview was very informative and helpful. The questions asked were excellent and the answers given were simple and straight to the point. There is a lot of fear and confusion around back issues and this interview has cleared some of them for me at least. Thank you for the video.
Please know the difference between dry needling and acupuncture!!!
Dry needling uses our Western model of nerve distribution and myofascial trigger points. Acupuncture uses the Traditional Chinese Medicine system of acupuncture points, meridians and elements. They are both beneficial, but quite different…
Very good conversation, I can relate to all that was mentioned, I’m 6ft 6inches tall, and a hairdresser. So have eppisodes of back pain
Ooh….look at that lovely pink phone 😮
40 years of Sciatica pain NOTHING WORKED
Nothing about lowbackability….
Dang! Those subtitles are the worst. Try harder.
Surprised, no mention of arthritic pain in the facet joints..?
I was just watching a YouTube video in which the dr said for those of us who have spinal stenosis standing up is way more painful.
I had a completely degenerated disc, the L5-S1, nothing could help it hit surgery at it was collapsed, I got artificial disc replacement and the surgeon said it’s arguably the hardest one he’s done as he had to really pry it apart to fit the new disc in.
It 100% changed my life, he went on through the front, I was in the gym after week 12 and now it’s been a year of working out 5 days a week without pain.
I’m really surprised you didn’t mention ‘stretching’ at all?
this is one of the very best podcast on back pain, both the interviewer and the neurosurgeon. Covers a lot of ground quickly and doesn’t dry it out very much appreciated.
I've had right lower back/glute pain for 2 years.
It seems to have been caused by both a tendency to hold my body in certain positions from sitting or reclining long periods as well as landing on my butt after missing my chair when I went to sit on a chair bruising my tailbone.
I did plenty of regular walking and running on the 3-mile park trail, but I was gradually able to walk less and less without limping and severe pain on my right glute med area.
I referred to it as sciatica but in reality it was complicated by a right IT band and external rotation of my leg.
I must say that surgery and shots were not the fix. But the fix wasn't painless. I had 5 months outpatient physiotherapy rehab with a couple of the exercises 5 being nearly impossible. I went to a highly reputable rehab institution, but during my final appointment, my therapist told me to join a gym and get a personal trainer and never stop training.
The exercises I couldn't do:
Clamshell
Dead bug.
I could do the exercise a bit but my limp would be awful and worse causing more injury in my right hip joint for a week.
I joined a gym, got a trainer 1 day a week.
Trainer 1 (16 months) was easy but gradual full body strength building, but not a complete waste of time but muscle build was slow (70 yo).
Note that sleep and recovery has always been a challenge all my life.
So my sleep has often been in the net average of 6 hours a night according to my fitbit tracker.
Tge last 2 months with this trainer, I started supplementing for better sleep and recovery and muscle power:
. Magnesium Glycinate 275 mg at bedtime
. Creapure Creatine Monohydrate 10g/day.
After 2 weeks of supplemention and careful attention to hydration, my weight lifting became significantly more explosive. My sleep quality explored too. Recovery improved.
My muscles got bigger progressively.
Trainer 2 (3 months) is relatively merciless but much more helpful.
The only machine he has me use is cable with 2 handles:
. Deep squats to standing position with military press or row or facepull.
. Ab crunches with 20-25 lb weight plate on my belly.
I began on my own doing:
. Side plank Clamshells
. Reverse lunges.
In addition, I now do Farmers Walk/Carry with excellent form.
Currently up to 25 lb kettlebell in each hand.
This is the king of exercises for me.
It builds muscles in forearms, hands (grip), shoulders, glutes, quads, back, core, and everything below.
I do 5 sets of 30 seconds with a minute rest between sets.
Slow gait and form are required.
FWC done consistently daily or most days fixed my problem unbelievably.
Nothing hurts during or after except a light ache in muscles that heals by the following day.
After this exercise, I feel invigorated mentally and physically.
What a miracle!
I'm really so much better now.
I eat sufficient protein to build/ maintain muscle.
I appreciate this interview, but one area that wasn't addressed is stretching. Yoga for example. How much stretching does the body really require?
Go and search…. there is enough evidence…..
Laser therapy helps ……. after 5 years searching and trying ….. finally pain fades ..
Be a hero …… go for the truth
You ahem removed it again…. Doctors lies
After struggling on and off for years with my back i came across the site, pain free you. Daily thoughts about your pain and following the ideas from dr sanos re the brain, body relationships on pain
EXCELLENT interview!
Very clear explanation even for me as a physical therapist. Thanks
Great interview especially as someone who has suffered extreme pain down my leg for months and just left it and didn’t do do any exercise thinking it was Sciatica . Brother suggested seeing his Osteopath who said my pelvis was out 23mm and body had compensated because of it over time. Did some minor adjustments and treated the area and already the pain has reduced drastically in just 2 sessions.
Our understanding and how we view health needs to change and it is through podcasts like this 👏
Excellent interview, very helpful info. 💜
This was great! So informative, thank you!
Excellence
I have taken a wealth of valuable information from this collaboration
Thankyou so much to both of you 😊
Thank you for this podcast, this was gold to me ❤
My doctors never did anything but give me drugs which I didn’t want to take. From experience I know they do very little for the pain. No X-rays scans or anything. If it wasn’t for my chiropractor nothing would have happened. Over the years when I’ve needed them they have been invaluable. They don’t just deal with your back. They are the best form of health care I’ve had.
My chiropractor at the time said keep moving but also rest properly. The pain was awful. I carried on as best I could but went to bed for a day time sleep. I never stopped walking. It still took me 6 months to fully recover but even then I could not dig my garden. I was convinced I could do better so looked for a new chiropractor. I found one who did acupuncture which seems to work well together. Much better now.
Amazing thanks ❤
I’m a doctor and ‘Secrets To Perfect Health’ by Nathan Cole is one of the few books that actually makes health simple without oversimplifying it. That balance is rare to find.
Very interesting podcast, thank you. I enjoy your interview style – very conversational and easy flowing while still hitting all the information points necessary to help us understand the topic.
I’m in healthcare, and ‘Healing Beyond The System’ by David Collins shook me. It’s bold, accurate, and finally tells the truth about why so many people stay unwell.
Thankfully I do not have any back pain problem, but this interview has been trully and deeply interesting and educating, under a lot of point of view… Even if my english is not so good and it has been a bit challenging! Great job, thanks for your effort and all you do for everyone
This is brilliant, thank you!
Fantastic interview. Thank you.