It’s Time to Rethink How We Treat Back Pain

“It’s Time to Rethink How We Treat Back Pain” — Dr. Darren Subrayan Talks About the New WHO Guidelines

Johannesburg, South Africa — The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever global guidelines for managing low back pain and people around the world are taking notice. A recent article in The New York Times has helped shine a light on this important shift in how back pain should be treated.

Instead of relying on strong medication, the WHO now encourages gentler, more natural treatments like movement, exercise, and support for mental health.

Local chiropractor Dr. Darren Subrayan, who runs a busy practice in Johannesburg, says this is a step in the right direction for South Africans.

“We need to stop reaching for pain medicine and start moving more. Most back pain doesn’t need surgery.”

What the World Health Organization Recommends

The WHO’s new advice says that most people with back pain should try:

• Spinal manipulative therapy, stretching, and gentle exercises
• Learning about back pain and how to care for your spine
• Talking to someone if stress or emotions are making pain worse
• Less use of strong pain medicine, especially opioids

Many back pain problems come from lifestyle factors like poor posture, sitting too long, lack of exercise or stress.

Why This Matters for South Africans

Back pain is a top reason why South Africans miss work or visit a clinic. Many people still think they need strong medicine, bed rest or a scan to feel better — but research shows that gentle movement and lifestyle changes can be more effective long term.

" The WHO guidelines are moving away from pain medication as a first-line treatment for chronic lower back pain due to its potential risks, including addiction and overdose. Instead, the focus is on safer, long-term solutions such as movement-based therapies, education and lifestyle adjustments."

Dr. Darren believes we need to change how we think about back pain and teach people that simple things like walking, standing and sitting properly and managing stress can go a long way in preventing and treating it.

" One of the simplest yet most effective exercises is walking. It provides multiple benefits, including loosening the joints of the spine, strengthening core and back muscles, improving circulation and cardio endurance, reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation. Regular movement, like walking or stretching, is essential for maintaining long-term spinal health.”

A New Path Forward for Spinal Health in SA With South Africa following these new WHO guidelines, it will make a big difference. People could get better faster, spend less money on medication and feel more in control of their health.

“When we follow evidence-based care that focuses on movement and education, people heal faster, rely less on medication and feel empowered to take charge of their own health. That’s the real shift we need in South Africa.”

Dr. Darren also hopes businesses, schools, and clinics can start promoting healthy habits like stretch breaks and simple posture tips to help stop back pain before it starts.

About Dr. Darren Subrayan

Dr. Darren is a Johannesburg-based chiropractor and the founder of Dainfern Chiro. He is known for sharing easy-to-understand health tips on Instagram and TikTok (@dainfernchiro) and helping South Africans take better care of their spines, naturally.