Is Your Back Pain Physical or Mental? | Stuart McGill, Ph.D.

Peter Attia and Stuart McGill discuss the psychological impact of lower back pain on patients, with Attia noting the difficulty in discerning the mental and physical components of pain. McGill shares stories of patients who experienced suicidal ideation and loss of career due to ineffective medical treatment. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the mechanism of pain and empowering patients through education and targeted strategies, rather than dismissing their pain as psychological. McGill highlights the success of his clinic's approach, which includes detailed patient assessment, tailored exercise prescriptions, and consistent follow-up, leading to a high rate of surgery avoidance among patients.