Living Well with Back Pain

For Caregivers and Family Members

If someone you care about lives with chronic low back pain, here are some things worth knowing:

Pain Is Invisible

You can't see pain from the outside. Someone may "look fine" but be dealing with constant discomfort. Their daily reality may be very different from what's visible.

What to Avoid

• "It's all in your head" or "You just need to push through it"
• Pressuring them to do more than they can handle
• Dismissing or ignoring their pain

What Helps

• Acknowledge their pain — A simple "That sounds really tough" goes a long way
• Offer practical support — "Is there anything I can help with?" rather than unsolicited advice
• Do activities together — Walking together, cooking together, or simply spending time together makes it easier to stay active
• Learn alongside them — Reading this page together builds shared understanding