Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is the single most-Googled musculoskeletal complaint on the planet — and the leading cause of missed workdays worldwide. Roughly 80% of adults will experience it at some point. The good news: most episodes resolve with the right movement and habits.

What's actually happening

Your lumbar spine (L1–L5) is built for load-bearing, but it's also the crossroads of your hips, core, and posterior chain. When any of those systems underperform — weak glutes, tight hip flexors, poor core endurance — the low back picks up the slack.

Most common causes

• Muscular strain from lifting, twisting, or a sudden movement
• Disc irritation (see Herniated Disc)
• Facet joint dysfunction
• SI joint (sacroiliac) irritation
• Prolonged sitting compressing the discs and shortening hip flexors

Red flags — see a clinician today

• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Numbness in the groin or inner thighs
• Progressive weakness in a leg or foot
• Severe pain after a fall or impact
• Fever with back pain

What actually helps

• Keep moving. Bed rest beyond 1–2 days makes recovery slower, not faster.
• Walk daily — the boring answer that keeps winning in the research.
• McKenzie press-ups for disc-type pain (see Sciatica).
• Glute strengthening — bridges, clams, hip hinges.
• Chiropractic adjustment for acute mechanical low back pain — strong evidence for short-term pain relief.

Persistent or recurring low back pain deserves a hands-on assessment. Guessing at the source rarely works.

Educational information only — not medical advice. Consult a licensed chiropractor or physician for care.