The first step is not medical - it’s mental

Written by Mathieu Stremsdoerfer, Co-Founder and CEO of Healactively 

Start healing your back by rewiring how you think about pain.

When pain strikes, fear takes over

Back pain hits hard—physically, emotionally, and mentally. For many of us, the first instinct is fear. We panic. We imagine the worst: slipped discs, surgeries, or never being able to move freely again. That fear sends us racing to the nearest specialist, hunting for scans, diagnoses, and pills.

I’ve been there.

When my injury happened, I entered a whirlwind of medical visits and passive treatments. I believed someone else could fix me. But after five years of pain and confusion, I realized something that changed everything:

The real first step in healing your back isn’t a scan. It’s a mindset shift.

Why fear keeps us stuck

Fear makes us passive. It convinces us that the body is fragile and broken, that we need to stop moving, that only a medical expert can save us. But for the vast majority of people (95%, according to the WHO), back pain is non-specific and mechanical—meaning:

✔️ There’s no single, scary cause.
✔️ It can improve dramatically through daily movement and strengthening.
✔️ It doesn’t require surgery.

Fear makes us wait for a miracle. But healing starts with action.

What pain really means

If your back pain worsens with certain postures or movements—good news! That means it’s mechanical and modifiable. The problem likely lies in posture, muscle imbalances, or daily habits. And that means you can take action to improve it.

Pain is not an enemy—it’s your body’s way of asking you to make a change.

Take back control (even while you're in pain)

You don’t need to wait for a final diagnosis or a perfect MRI to start your journey. The best first move?

• Learn what movements help, and which ones hurt.
• Find ways to reduce the pain triggers (even small ones like sitting posture).
• Walk. Breathe. Gently move.
• Get support—not just medically, but holistically.

My story, your shortcut

I lost five years of my life to back pain—not because of the injury itself, but because I gave up responsibility. I waited for someone to fix me.

If I had known back then what I know now, I would have started sooner. With the right mindset, education, and daily action, you can reclaim your life far faster.

🌱 Start today—not tomorrow

If you're in pain, you're not broken. You're at the beginning of a journey—and that journey starts in your mind.

➤ Ready to take your first step?

Start your healing journey with Healactively—your back wellness coach powered by science and AI.