Question the Narrative: Your Back Is Not Fragile

Here are some common narratives we hear about the lower back:

Medical:
“You have a slipped disc. You need to be very careful from now on—don’t lift anything heavy, and avoid bending or twisting your spine too much. One wrong move could make it worse.”

Chiropractic:
“Your pelvis is out of alignment, and your core isn’t strong enough to support your spine. That’s why your back keeps going out. You’ll need frequent adjustments to keep things in place.”

Physical Therapy:
“You should avoid heavy lifting because your technique isn’t perfect.”

Fitness:
“Never do deadlifts or squats unless you’re a professional. One wrong rep and you could throw your back out for good.”

Workplace Safety Training:
“Always lift with your knees, never your back. Your spine is vulnerable and can’t handle strain like your legs can.”

Common Everyday Advice:
“Once you hurt your back, it’s never the same again. You’ll always have to watch what you do.”

Post-Injury Conversations:
“I slipped a disc 10 years ago, and now I can’t do anything that involves bending or lifting. My back is too fragile for that.”

Narratives like these are everywhere. In fact, they’ve become so common that they’re often accepted as unquestioned truths—almost as if they’re “just the way it is.” The underlying belief is simple: protect your spine at all costs.

But I’m writing this to challenge that belief—and to invite you to not only reject these narratives, but to embody the opposite.

I’ve written before about how stress is the language your body uses to adapt, how agency influences the pain experience, the poor correlation between “abnormal” anatomy and actual pain, and how antifragile the human body truly is. All of these point to the same conclusion: the narratives above are false.

But today, I want to make a different kind of argument—not one based in science, but one based in lived experience.

Ask yourself: why accept these limitations? Why accept the fear, fragility, and missed opportunities that come with them?

The Teleological Fallacy and the Trap of “Safe”

There’s a concept called the teleological fallacy—the mistaken belief that your current self knows exactly what your future self will need or want. When you’re in pain, your future goals often become very simple: just be pain-free. That makes sense in the moment.

And yes, following the advice above may reduce your pain—but only in the narrow context of a limited, “safe” set of activities. At first, that feels like a win.

The mistake is in assuming that this “safe bubble” will be enough for your future self.

Over time, that bubble becomes confining. It restricts what you do, what you try, and how you experience life. It disconnects you from the idea that your physical body is a vehicle for engaging in meaningful action—not just today, but in all the futures your life might hold.

Build a Life That’s Ready for Anything

A strong, robust, resilient body isn’t just about performance—it’s about preserving your ability to say “yes” to the things that matter most.

It’s about your capacity to keep up with your kids.
To carry a canoe through the woods on a boundary waters trip.
To help a friend move.
To lift, play, explore, and engage—not just now, but for decades to come.

At first, even your loved ones may just want to see you out of pain. But eventually, they’ll want to do life with you—real life, with all its demands and joys. Not every meaningful moment requires better physical health, but better physical health ensures you won’t miss those moments because of it.

A Call to Reject Fragility

So here’s my ask:

Reject the false and limiting narratives that frame your back—and your body—as fragile.
Reject the fear that says “you’ll never be the same.”
Reject the safe bubble that quietly robs you of opportunity.

Instead, embrace agency.
Embrace growth.
Embrace antifragility—the idea that your body can become stronger, more adaptable, and more capable over time.

Do it not just for your current self, but for your future self.
Do it for your family, your community, and the people you want to share meaningful experiences with.
Do it for a more full and vibrant life.