Many different conditions can result in lower back pain, including sprained ligaments, strained muscles, ruptured disks, trigger points, and inflamed joints. Sports injuries or accidents can lead to injury and pain, but sometimes even the simplest movements have painful results. Conditions such as arthritis, poor posture, obesity, psychological stress, and even kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss can also cause low back pain.
Many things can cause lower back pain, and if left untreated, some can be quite serious. Our Minneapolis chiropractors are experts at diagnosing the cause and determining the proper treatment. Here are some of the most common causes we see:
Subluxations
Whenever there’s a disruption in the normal movement or position of the vertebrae, the result is pain and inflammation. In the lumbar spine, these usually occur at the transition between the lower spine and the sacrum. Subluxations can lead to debilitating lower back pain, but they’re easily treatable — a significant reduction in pain is often experienced almost immediately after treatment at Lyn Lake Chiropractic.
Disc Herniations
Contrary to popular belief, a herniated disc doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to suffer from lower back pain — one study found that almost half of all adults had at least one bulging or herniated disc without any resulting pain. On the other hand, herniated discs can be a source of intense and debilitating pain that frequently radiates to other areas of the body. Once a disc herniates, it rarely fully heals, but further deterioration can often be avoided through regular chiropractic care.
Sprains, Strains, and Spasms
This is commonly the source of low back pain among weekend warriors — people with very little physical activity during the week who push themselves too hard once the weekend arrives. Overworking the muscles or ligaments of the low back can lead to small tears in the tissue, which then become painful, swollen, and tight.
Stress
Whenever you become stressed, your body responds by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, flooding your body with stress hormones, and tightening your muscles. When you’re stressed all the time, that chronic tension causes muscles to become sore, weak, and loaded with trigger points. Regular exercise and relaxation techniques like deep breathing can help alongside chiropractic care.
Treating Lower Back Pain With Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic treatment for low back pain is usually straightforward — most commonly, it’s a matter of adjusting the lower lumbar vertebrae and pelvis to re-establish normal motion and position of the bones and joints.
Major studies have shown that chiropractic care for the low back is more effective, cheaper, and has better long-term outcomes than other treatments, because it’s the only method that re-establishes normal vertebral motion and position in the spine. Other treatments — muscle relaxants, pain killers, bed rest — only decrease symptoms without correcting the underlying problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common causes of lower back pain?
Subluxations, disc herniations, muscle sprains and strains, and stress-related muscle tension are among the most common causes we see, alongside sports injuries and general wear from poor posture.
Does a herniated disc always cause back pain?
No. Studies show almost half of adults have a bulging or herniated disc with no resulting pain. When herniated discs do cause pain, it can be intense and radiate to other parts of the body.
Why is chiropractic care effective for lower back pain?
Chiropractic adjustment re-establishes normal vertebral motion and position in the spine — the only treatment approach that corrects the underlying mechanical problem rather than just masking symptoms.
Can stress really cause lower back pain?
Yes. Chronic stress causes ongoing muscle tension, particularly in the low back, leading to soreness, weakness, and trigger points over time.
How quickly can chiropractic care relieve low back pain from a subluxation?
Many patients experience a significant reduction in pain almost immediately after treatment, though results vary by individual case.