Most back pain is triggered by psychological origins instead of by a physiological defect- John Sarno, author and medical expert

Chronic back pain is NOT all in your head! Some within the back pain community contend that psycho-social problems rather than structural issues are a large factor in chronic low back patients. Recently, a study of patients at 6 rehab centers carefully looked at the relationship between self reported disability and psycho-social scores, and reported their findings in the prestigious journal, Spine.

The study's conclusion:
"The overall relationship between psychosocial distress and self reported disability was weak..."

Weiniger's observation:
People with chronic postural problems often develop chronic low back pain from predictable training effects of flexed posture (eg postural adaptations such as pain cycles & upper cross, lower cross or layer syndromes) causing biomechanical stress during normal activities of daily living.

Living in pain adds to stress. Teaching someone to psychologically cope with the pain can help the person function, improving such "objective" measures, and is perceived by the patient as better than suffering and not being able to function.

However----Teaching them to move well with a positive attitude is a far better solution.

Healing Back Pain-The Mind Body Connection, John Sarno

Stand Taller~Live Longer: An Anti-Aging Strategy, Steven Weiniger