7 Top Pain Myths—What's Actually True And What You Need To Stop Believing ASAP

The facts: If your joint pain gets worse when it's cold or raining, it's not your imagination. Although studies have shown mixed results, changes in barometric pressure can cause some people—especially people with arthritis—to have increased pain in their joints. Experts think this is because the change in barometric pressure affects joint pressure. When the weather heats up, or a "high pressure system" moves in, the increase in barometric pressure usually brings relief.

The facts: Apart from post-injury recovery, most experts say complete bed rest is one of the worst things you can do for back pain. If you're not active, your body quickly becomes deconditioned—causing even more pain when you eventually do move. Stretching, yoga, and strength exercises can all help lessen your pain. Just watch out for these 9 exercises that could pump up your back pain.

The facts: If you're overweight, less weight on your body means less pressure—and less pain—on your joints and back. "Dropping a few extra pounds can really help improve joint pain in the knees and hips," says Patience White, MD, MA, vice president of public health policy at the Arthritis Foundation. "Even 10 pounds can make a huge difference." (Need help losing weight? These small changes take off big pounds.)

The facts: Just because experts can't find the exact source of someone's pain doesn't mean they don't feel it! Pain is your brain’s interpretation of a neurological event called "nociception." And due to the complexity of the human body, it's not possible to determine all of the possible causes of nociception. Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are just two of many hard-to-pin-down conditions that may cause persistent pain.

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The facts: Many people believe pain is just something you have to live with, yet pain should never be ignored. Even if your pain gets better with OTC medications, see your doctor if the pain lasts more than a week or two, becomes worse over time, or if it interferes with your daily activities. Think of the pain as one of the red lights on the dashboard of your car. The light is there to tell you something is wrong.

The facts: Like gray hair and wrinkles, a few aches and pains are a part of nearly everyone's life. But chronic pain doesn't have to be. Most people should be able to lead relatively pain-free lives as they age. If you're bothered by chronic pain, see your doctor. A chiropractor or functional movement specialist may also be able to help you find relief.

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The facts: When taken as directed, prescription pain medications are typically safe and often godsends for those in agony. But your body can become physically dependent on pain medication. Although this doesn't mean you're addicted, you may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop the drug abruptly. It's an expected response when a prescription pain drug is used for more than a few days. It's important to follow your doctor's advice to a T when it comes to taking pain meds.