Lower back pain. Getting back to basics

Lower back pain has the highest prevalence amongst musculoskeletal illness. But we can break it down into bite sized chunks to identify what can be causing the pain

MUSCULOSKELETAL BACK PAIN

Gareth Williams

2/23/20242 min read

Lower back pain can be caused by various factors, including muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and the joints as a whole. But how exactly can it happen?

Although pain is something that could hinder your daily life and making working more difficult, it is important to understand the cause as much as it is to understand the pain itself. A frustrating thing pain is, and a stressful thing when you don't know the cause. What do we mean by cause? Causation of pain can be summarized into 3 entities using the bio-psycho-social model. Biology (your body) is the first step in what causes your pain. It is the physical tissue that sends the pain signal to your brain. Social (socio-economic) is the day-to-day activities that you do. Like sitting at a desk all day or working hard on a job sight moving heavy materials or picking kids all day. The last and most silent of the causes of pain is the psychological. Anxiety, depression and a heap of other mental health issues can be the unknown yet strongest cause. Mental health can hinge our body into a tense and "fight or flight" mode and place even more tension on our tissue. The bio-psycho-social model can be read more about in our Holistic wellness blog (releasing late 2024). For more information on this model see the NIH: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1466742/

Lower back pain and the biological.

When these components experience strain, inflammation, or injury, it can lead to discomfort and pain in the lower back region. Muscles and ligaments can become strained due to repetitive movements, overuse, or sudden movements. Tendons can be injured or inflamed, causing pain and discomfort. Bone-related conditions such as fractures or osteoporosis can also contribute to lower back pain. Additionally, postural imbalances can play a significant role in the development of lower back pain. Poor posture, such as slouching or sitting for long periods without proper support, can place excessive stress on the lower back muscles and structures. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain good posture and practice proper body mechanics to prevent or alleviate lower back pain. For more information visit webMD: https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/ss/slideshow-low-back-pain-overview

What should I do with lower back pain?

See your Chiropractor or trusted healthcare practitioner. That is as simple as it can be. If it is something that is recurring then your chiro will most likely identify the cause and give you the necessary interventions to prevent and resolve the cause.

If you are unsure of what to do simply give us a call. One of our friendly chiropractors will answer any questions you have and point you in the right direction. You don't have to keep googling symptoms and spend ages trying to figure out what's wrong. We will help wherever we can!

Dr Gareth Williams

Chiropractor

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new treatment or healthcare regimen

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a man with a red ball in his hand