Most people in the United States will experience lower back pain at some point, and it can really be tough to deal with. Let’s dive into some common causes of lower back pain and explore some lesser-known insights.
Lower back pain remains a persistent challenge for many health and fitness professionals. This is largely because of a limited understanding of how the human body truly functions. Often, the basic “physical therapy 101” approach is used, focusing on stretching tight muscles and strengthening weak ones.
At a more detailed level of diagnosis, various structural issues might be blamed, such as scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. However, even if these conditions are real, they often aren’t the true root cause and rarely get properly addressed.
The conventional medicine model, which focuses on treating symptoms rather than underlying causes, is also prevalent in orthopedics, physical therapy, and exercise prescriptions.
This article aims to shed some light on the various imbalances that can lead to lower back pain.
Mechanical or structural issues are common contributors to lower back pain. Poor posture, movement habits, or breathing can play significant roles. When joints lack mobility or stability, the brain compensates by creating improper movement patterns, which can lead to dysfunction.
So, for lower back pain, it’s crucial to ensure the joints in the spine and hips have enough mobility and stability. The spine isn’t meant to bear weight; it’s designed to anchor tissues that stabilize the body’s center of gravity.
A sedentary lifestyle can also cause problems. Sitting for long periods can stress intervertebral discs, weaken muscles, and reduce oxygen flow to muscles around the lower back and pelvis. This lack of oxygen, or “ischemia,” can irritate nerves and weaken surrounding muscles, leading to pain.
Stress can also contribute to lower back pain. Both psychological stress (like from divorce or financial trouble) and mechanical stress (from injury or poor posture) can negatively affect how the brain processes sensory information and controls movement. This can lead to lasting poor posture and movement habits, which can cause acute or chronic pain if not corrected.
The nervous system plays a big role in controlling muscle length and tone. Traditional stretches for tight muscles are ineffective if the root causes aren’t addressed.
Beyond mechanical issues, dehydration can lead to cellular waste buildup and inflammation, affecting tissues and joints. Poor hydration can make tissues stiff and restrict blood and lymph flow.
Parasitic infections or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can also cause back pain. A liver that’s overwhelmed with toxins can contribute to pain and inflammation because it’s slow to process histamine, which is important for immune function and healing.
Psychological stress can cause intestinal inflammation and lower immune defenses, making the body more susceptible to infections. Chronic stress can also exhaust the adrenal glands, reducing cortisol release and increasing inflammation.
Given all these factors, it’s clear that the “physical therapy 101” approach is limited. To truly resolve lower back pain, a holistic understanding of the body is essential.
I hope you find this article helpful in your journey toward better health and fitness!