Research is showing that reducing people’s fear beliefs and catastrophic thoughts around their back pain, for instance, has a more consistent influence on lower back pain outcomes than activation of core muscles. Getting stronger and more flexible is very important for all of us, however overcoming unhelpful beliefs, learning to understand and interpret new sensations in the body, being challenged while supported with reassurance, all contribute to reducing the feeling of helplessness whilst increasing confidence and equipping you for self-management.