Scroll, Save, Stretch: How Instagram Helped With Back Pain

Here is a story: It started with a familiar ache in my lower back after months of working from the couch, slouching over laptops, and pretending that stretching wasn’t necessary. I wasn’t ready to commit to physio or fancy gadgets, so I did what any millennial in pain might do—I turned to Instagram. Between outfit reels and recipe hacks, I found a surprising number of mobility tips, desk setup fixes, and simple stretches shared by PTs, yoga instructors, and wellness influencers. I began saving posts like treasure, building a mini library of back care advice right in my bookmarks. My morning scrolls slowly turned into guided stretch sessions, often led by creators who explained the why, not just the how.

Some things were instantly helpful—like hip flexor openers, thoracic twists, or swapping out my chair for a yoga ball. Others? Not so much (turns out, not every back pain fix looks as smooth IRL as it does in a reel). But after weeks of trial, error, and saved posts, the pain started to fade. What surprised me most was how accessible everything felt—no appointments, no pressure, just bite-sized tips that I could try at my own pace. Instagram became more than entertainment; it became a wellness tool. Of course, I’ve learned to be cautious—social media isn’t a substitute for real medical advice—but in my case, it truly had my back.