Back Clinic Lower Back Pain Chiropractic Team. More than 80% of the population suffers from back pain at some point in their lives. Most cases can be linked to the most common causes: muscle strain, injury, or overuse. But it can also be attributed to a specific condition of the spine: Herniated Disc, Degenerative Disc Disease, Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Stenosis, and Osteoarthritis. Less common conditions are sacroiliac joint dysfunction, spinal tumors, fibromyalgia, and piriformis syndrome.
Pain is caused by damage or injury to the muscles and ligaments of the back. Dr. Alex Jimenez compiled articles outline the importance of understanding the causes and effects of this uncomfortable symptom. Chiropractic focuses on restoring a person’s strength and flexibility to help improve symptoms of lower back pain.
For individuals with lower back pain when walking, could they have injured a muscle or have an underlying condition affecting the joints, ligaments, or nerves?
Back Pain When Walking
Lower back pain when walking can occur for a variety of reasons. It can result from poor posture, injuries, muscle fatigue, or an underlying condition. Specific injuries, like muscle strains, can affect the ligaments in the spine and cause pain. Muscles that have not been used often can result in fatigue and pain. Specific health conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, sciatica, or even sacroiliac joint dysfunction, can cause lower back pain. Factors like overexertion or improper gait can exacerbate it.
Muscle Issues
Muscle strains, ligament sprains, or fatigue can cause lower back pain when walking. Pain can occur after walking or come on gradually from wear and tear without an apparent cause, as follows (American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2024)
Strains
Occur when the fibers in the back are overstretched or torn.
Pain from muscle strains is usually worse during activity and better when resting.
Sprains
It occurs when the ligaments that connect bone to bone become detached.
If the muscles do not adequately support the spine, the spinal joints absorb more pressure, which can lead to injury to the spinal ligaments.
Fatigue
It can happen from overexertion and lead to lower back pain when walking.
It could occur when walking longer than the body is used to, on uneven surfaces that make the muscles work harder to help maintain balance, or climbing hills that cause you to lean forward while walking.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Between each vertebra is a disc that provides cushioning between the bones.
As the disc wears down, surrounding muscles, ligaments, joints, and nerves in the spine absorb more pressure, causing damage.
Degenerative disc disease is a wear-and-tear condition that becomes more common as individuals age and is a common cause of lower back pain.
Healthcare providers recommend walking as a low-impact activity for individuals with the disease. However, if the condition is more severe, individuals could experience pain from this exercise, especially when walking on hard surfaces. (Hospital for Special Surgery, 2024)
Sciatica
Sciatica pain occurs when a nerve exiting the spine in the lower back becomes compressed or pinched. It is a common symptom of a herniated disc, in which a disc moves out of place and puts pressure on nearby nerves. In addition to lower back pain, sciatica can cause pain in the hip, the back of the thigh, and down the leg. Sciatica can also cause: (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
Numbness
Tingling
Muscle cramps
Leg muscle weakness
Healthcare providers often recommend walking as a safe form of physical activity for individuals with sciatica. However, individuals should avoid twisting or bending forward. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021) To decrease pain, avoid walking on uneven surfaces or uphill.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a wear-and-tear condition that often affects the lumbar spine/five vertebrae in the lower back.
It causes the space surrounding the spinal cord to narrow.
Lumbar spinal stenosis typically causes pain when standing upright, including when walking.
Many with this condition find that leaning slightly forward helps to reduce the pain by opening up the compressed areas.
Hyperlordosis
Lordosis describes the normal curve in the spine in the lower back. However, when this curve is exaggerated, it causes hyperlordosis or swayback. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2020) Hyperlordosis affects the range of motion, putting abnormal pressure on the muscles, ligaments, and joints. It also reduces the spine’s ability to absorb shock correctly when walking, leading to pain. (Cedars-Sinai, 2025)
Prevention Strategies
Individuals can take steps to reduce their risk of lower back pain when walking, even if they’ve been diagnosed with a condition that can potentially cause this symptom. Walking can decrease chronic low back pain for some. (Suh J. H. et al., 2019) As with any new exercise program, check with a healthcare provider to ensure that walking for exercise is appropriate for the injury, condition, or disease and is safe. Recommended tips: (Harvard Health Publishing, 2015)
Wear shoes made for walking.
Perform gentle lower back stretches before walking.
Start slowly by walking for a few minutes, then gradually increase the time.
Walk on a smooth surface, such as a sidewalk or athletic track, or indoors, such as in a shopping center or mall.
Warm up and cool down by walking slowly at the beginning and end of the walk.
This allows the back and leg muscles to warm up before exercise and recover afterward.
Walk at a slow to moderate pace/speed that allows one to converse.
Standing up straight while walking or standing upright reduces pressure on the lower back.
Alternative Exercise
If there is still back pain when walking, it might not be an appropriate exercise for the individual and/or how their condition presents symptoms. Alternate activities can include: (Hospital for Special Surgery, 2023)
Elliptical Trainer
This exercise keeps the feet in contact with the pedals, putting less shock-absorbing pressure on the spine than walking.
Recumbent Biking
will keep the back upright, which is recommended if there is more pain when bending forward.
Upright Stationary Biking
This is recommended if the back pain improves when bending forward.
Walking In A Pool
This activity provides benefits while reducing pressure on the spine.
To target different muscles, try walking laps in waist-deep water in multiple directions (forward, backward, and side to side).
Water Aerobics
This activity provides cardiovascular health benefits with decreased pressure on the back.
Injury Medical Chiropractic & Functional Medicine Clinic
See a physical therapist for a personalized exercise program to reduce back pain and appropriate for your condition. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop an optimal health and wellness solution. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, and prevent injury. Regarding musculoskeletal pain, specialists like chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists can help mitigate the pain through spinal adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal issues.
Beyond Adjustments: Chiropractic and Integrative Healthcare
Suh, J. H., Kim, H., Jung, G. P., Ko, J. Y., & Ryu, J. S. (2019). The effect of lumbar stabilization and walking exercises on chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine, 98(26), e16173. doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000016173
For individuals experiencing lower back pain and sciatica symptoms, can using a lidocaine patch help?
Lidocaine Patch
Lidocaine patches are in a drug class called local anesthetics (MedlinePlus, 2025) (Food and Drug Administration, 2022). They relieve pain in small body areas by blocking the nerves from sending pain signals. The Food and Drug Administration approved lidocaine 5% or 1.8% patches for relieving postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) pain. These lidocaine patches are prescription-only (Food and Drug Administration, 2022). They are available either by prescription or over the counter and are commonly used for back pain and other areas. Over-the-counter lidocaine, 4% patches, can be used to relieve minor aches and pains, including back pain. However, further research is needed to recommend the use of lidocaine patches as an effective method of pain relief. (Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense, 2022) (North American Spine Society, 2020)
The Patch
They are available in prescription and over-the-counter forms. Over-the-counter forms come as a 4% patch in various brands, such as (MedlinePlus, 2025)
Aspercreme
Lidocare
Salonpas
Prescription-only patches come in 5% or 1.8% patches and are approved to relieve long-term nerve pain from shingles in adults. Zlido is a brand name for a 1.8% lidocaine patch. Five percent lidocaine patches are available generically. (DailyMed, 2018) (Food and Drug Administration, 2021) The safety and effectiveness in children are unknown. (Food and Drug Administration, 2022)
Other Lidocaine Forms
As a local anesthetic, it is available in several other forms, including:
Spray
Topical cream
Lotion
Liquid
Ear drops
Eye gel
Injection
It is also available as a short-term intravenous infusion for abnormal heart rhythm. (DailyMed, 2025)
Effectiveness
Clinical trials have shown that the patches effectively relieve chronic low back pain. However, these studies were nonrandomized and did not include a control group to compare against the treatment group. (Santana J. A., Klass S., & Felix E. R. 2020) The results may be subject to potential biases. For this reason, further evidence is needed to support lidocaine patches’ effectiveness in reducing low back pain. (North American Spine Society, 2020) High-quality randomized and controlled clinical trials are necessary to study the effectiveness. (North American Spine Society, 2020) (Santana J. A., Klass S., & Felix E. R. 2020)
Clean and dry the affected area before placing the patch.
Apply to the affected body area as directed.
Wash your hands after touching the patch.
Remove the patch after what is usually recommended after eight hours.
How Quickly Does It Work?
The amount of medication absorbed into the blood depends on how long the patch is placed on the body and how much is covered with the patch. In a study, healthy participants wore three lidocaine patches on their backs for 12 hours on and 12 hours off during 24 hours. Lidocaine levels were highest at 11 hours. At the end of the 24 hours, there was still some lidocaine left in the bloodstream. (Food and Drug Administration, 2022)
Individuals with PHN may notice a difference in pain intensity after four hours of using the patch. (Rowbotham, M. C. et al., 1996) (Food and Drug Administration, 2022) Experts may suggest using patches for four weeks for those who experience pain after their shingles rash disappears. However, if there is still pain after these four weeks, it is recommended to see a pain specialist. (Gross, G. E. et al., 2020)
Side Effects
Common side effects are typically mild skin reactions where the patch is. These reactions are usually temporary and will disappear within a few minutes or hours. Examples include: (Food and Drug Administration, 2022)
Severe allergic reactions are rare, but it is possible.
Symptoms include breathing problems, itchiness, and rash.
Methemoglobinemia
Methemoglobinemia is a condition that makes it hard for red blood cells to carry oxygen.
Individuals may experience symptoms of blue-looking skin, headache, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, abnormal heart rhythm, or seizures.
Using too many lidocaine patches to cover large parts of the body or using the patches longer than 12 hours within 24 hours may cause side effects that may include heart-related effects, such as a slow heart rate and low blood pressure. Individuals may also experience the following side effects (Food and Drug Administration, 2022)
Hot or cold sensation
Numbness
Dizziness
Ringing ears
Lightheadedness
Mood changes
Drowsiness to unconsciousness
Vision changes
Seizures
Tremors
Vomiting
Injury Medical Chiropractic & Functional Medicine Clinic
Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop an optimal health and wellness solution. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, and prevent injury. Regarding musculoskeletal pain, specialists like chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists can help mitigate the pain through spinal adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal issues.
Santana, J. A., Klass, S., & Felix, E. R. (2020). The Efficacy, Effectiveness and Safety of 5% Transdermal Lidocaine Patch for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review. PM & R: the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation, 12(12), 1260–1267. doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.12366
Rowbotham, M. C., Davies, P. S., Verkempinck, C., & Galer, B. S. (1996). Lidocaine patch: double-blind controlled study of a new treatment method for post-herpetic neuralgia. Pain, 65(1), 39–44. doi.org/10.1016/0304-3959(95)00146-8
Gross, G. E., Eisert, L., Doerr, H. W., Fickenscher, H., Knuf, M., Maier, P., Maschke, M., Müller, R., Pleyer, U., Schäfer, M., Sunderkötter, C., Werner, R. N., Wutzler, P., & Nast, A. (2020). S2k guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology: JDDG, 18(1), 55–78. doi.org/10.1111/ddg.14013
Should individuals experiencing lower left back pain see a healthcare provider if it lasts more than a few weeks?
Left Side Lower Back Pain
Lower left back pain can impact your ability to go about your day. If left-side lower back pain lasts longer than a week, it is considered chronic back pain, which can severely impact one’s quality of life. This type of pain has various causes. Muscle or spine and nerve damage, including sciatica, can cause pain. Organs in the lower back, including the kidneys, can cause pain. Pregnancy-related changes, fibromyalgia, and other conditions can cause lower left-side back pain in females.
Causes
Back pain is common and affects almost everyone. (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 2023) Lower left back pain can have many causes, ranging from muscle and spine issues to organ infections. One way to help tell what’s causing the symptoms is to determine whether there is also sciatica, sharp or burning pain that radiates down one side of the body. It happens when the sciatic nerve gets compressed or irritated. Possible causes include (Penn Medicine, 2020)
Muscle Injury
A muscle injury from an accident or injury can be a cause that can appear with or without sciatica.
If this is the cause, you’ll notice that the pain improves with rest but worsens after you’ve sat for a long time or after getting up from sleep.
There may also be a limited range of motion, tenderness, or swelling.
Arthritis or Bone Conditions
Arthritis and bone issues, like osteoporosis, can also be a cause.
This can happen if the arthritis is in the left hip or the root cause is on the right side, but the body compensates by overusing muscles on the left side of the back.
Unhealthy Posture and Body Positioning
Unhealthy postures and body positioning can contribute to back pain and musculoskeletal problems.
To avoid straining the muscles, try sitting and standing straight and keeping all the joints at a 90-degree angle.
Move around every 20-30 minutes and stretch out.
Kidneys
The kidneys are located in the middle back.
Kidney infections or kidney stones could cause pain on the left side.
Other symptoms include pain when urinating, fever, and nausea.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis, inflammation of the large intestine, can also cause lower left back pain in some cases.
If this is the cause, there may also be abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, and fatigue.
Uterine-Related Pain
Several conditions related to the uterus can cause back pain symptoms, including PMS, period cramps, endometriosis, and more.
Sometimes, these conditions cause pain on both sides, but some individuals may experience pain just on the left side.
Pregnancy
The weight gain, hormonal changes, and limited movement can also contribute to lower left back pain. (Cedars Sinai, 2024)
Spinal Disease
If one of the discs or vertebrae in the spine slips out of place or becomes damaged, this can cause upper, middle, or lower back pain.
In many cases, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help with sciatica. If it persists, it is recommended to see your healthcare provider to find the root cause. The causes include: (Aguilar-Shea, A. L. et al., 2022)
Herniated disc
A disc that pops out of place can add pressure to the sciatic nerve.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis, or spine narrowing, can also cause sciatic symptoms.
Spondylolisthesis
Occurs when vertebrae are out of alignment, leading to sciatic symptoms.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy-related growth and bodily changes oftentimes lead to sciatic nerve symptoms and sensations.
Muscle Spasms
Spasms like piriformis syndrome, a spasm of the muscle in the buttocks, can cause back pain.
Surgery
It’s normal to have back pain for up to six weeks after a back procedure.
However, if there is new or worsening lower left back pain after surgery, consult the healthcare provider. (Penn Medicine, 2017)
Your healthcare provider may recommend massage, chiropractic care, and acupuncture treatments.
If pain can’t be managed at home, your healthcare provider may suggest prescription medications, including muscle relaxers.
These can allow the tissue to heal and reduce your pain as well.
If you have severe sciatica or vertebrae that have slipped out of place, the healthcare team might recommend a steroid injection into the lower left back to reduce pain by reducing inflammation.
In addition to prescription treatments, your healthcare provider might recommend physical therapy to retrain movements, build strength, and help prevent back pain.
Sleep on a firm mattress that will support your back.
Get a comfortable, ergonomic chair for your job.
If you work on your feet, learn to practice healthy posture and use shoes and insoles to facilitate and maintain correct posture.
Once you’ve healed, building your core strength may help avoid lower back pain in the future.
Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic
Talk with a healthcare provider and request a referral to a specialist who can help with long-term management. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to build optimal health and wellness solutions. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, prevent injury, and mitigate issues through adjustments that help the body realign itself. The clinic can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal problems.
Aguilar-Shea, A. L., Gallardo-Mayo, C., Sanz-González, R., & Paredes, I. (2022). Sciatica. Management for family physicians. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 11(8), 4174–4179. doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1061_21
See, Q. Y., Tan, J. B., & Kumar, D. S. (2021). Acute low back pain: diagnosis and management. Singapore Medical Journal, 62(6), 271–275. doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2021086
Could incorporating standing lumbar flexion exercise into a daily routine help decrease pain and improve overall spinal mobility for individuals with low back pain?
Standing Lower Back Flexion Exercise
A chiropractic physical therapy team visit can help determine which exercises are best for an individual’s injury or condition and teach them what to stop doing if they have low back pain. Exercise and proper posture can decrease discomfort and improve mobility for individuals with low back pain. (Suh, J. H. et al., 2019) Sometimes, exercises that bend backward are recommended, while other times, flexion or forward bending movements are the best way to manage lower back pain. Many find the standing Williams lumbar flexion exercises maneuver helpful for low back pain. (Amila A, Syapitri H, Sembiring E. 2021)
Benefits
Individuals with certain diagnoses may benefit from spinal flexion. These diagnoses include:
Be sure to speak with a healthcare provider to understand the diagnosis and low back symptoms, and work with a physical therapist to be sure that forward flexion of the spine is the correct exercise for your back.
When To Avoid Lumbar Flexion
Some should avoid excessive forward bending, which could cause further damage or injury to the spine. Reasons to avoid flexion include:
Neurological signs such as difficulty urinating or controlling bowel movements (Howell E. R. 2012)
Before starting this or any other exercise program for your spine, check with a healthcare provider or physical therapist.
How to Perform
Gradually progressing with other gentle lumbar flexion exercises before full-standing lumbar flexion is recommended. These include performing a week or two of lumbar flexion lying down, followed by a couple weeks of lumbar flexion seated. Once these exercises are easy to perform and pain-free, progress with lumbar flexion standing postures.To perform, follow these steps:
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Slowly bend forward by sliding your hands down the front of your thighs.
Reach down as far as possible and let your lower back bend forward.
Grab your ankles and gently pull into more forward flexion to increase the backstretch.
Hold the end position for a second or two, then slowly return to the starting position.
As you exercise, be sure to monitor changes in symptoms. Pain worsening in the back or traveling down your leg indicates that you should stop the exercise (Spine-health, 2017). If the pain decreases in your leg or centralizes to your back, continue the exercise. Standing lumbar flexion can be repeated for 10 repetitions a couple of times daily. It can help decrease low back or leg pain symptoms and stretch tight hamstrings and back muscles. (Montefiore Pediatric Orthopedic and Scoliosis Center, 2003)
Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic
Exercise can also prevent future lower back problems. Standing back flexion, postural correction, regular physical activity, and exercise are tools for keeping the spine healthy. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to build optimal health and wellness solutions. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, prevent injury, and help mitigate issues through adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal problems.
What Causes Disc Herniation?
References
Suh, J. H., Kim, H., Jung, G. P., Ko, J. Y., & Ryu, J. S. (2019). The effect of lumbar stabilization and walking exercises on chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine, 98(26), e16173. doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000016173
Amila A, Syapitri H, Sembiring E. (2021). The effect of William Flexion Exercise on reducing pain intensity for elderly with low back pain. Int J Nurs Health Serv., 4(1), 28-36. doi.org/https://doi.org/10.35654/ijnhs.v4i1.374
Lurie, J., & Tomkins-Lane, C. (2016). Management of lumbar spinal stenosis. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 352, h6234. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h6234
Sfeir, J. G., Drake, M. T., Sonawane, V. J., & Sinaki, M. (2018). Vertebral compression fractures associated with yoga: a case series. European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine, 54(6), 947–951. doi.org/10.23736/S1973-9087.18.05034-7
Howell E. R. (2012). Conservative management of a 31 year old male with left sided low back and leg pain: a case report. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 56(3), 225–232.
Sleeping with lower back pain and sciatica can be difficult and frustrating. What are ways to get more comfortable sleep?
Sleeping With Lower Back Pain and Sciatica
Various factors can affect sleeping with lower back pain and sciatica, including age, injury and medical history, the mattress (e.g., soft vs. firm mattress), and sleep positions. Unfortunately, there’s no one-cure-all solution for this problem, and depending on the underlying cause/s, they can worsen the pain and cause sleep problems. For example, if a herniated disc places added pressure on the nerves in the lower back, twisting the spine can worsen the lower back pain, and sleeping in a fetal position can exacerbate the nerve pain. (UCF Health, N.D.)
Lower-Back Pain
Low-back pain can be activity-related, intermittent, or constant. (American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2024) For some, it only occurs occasionally, such as when performing specific movements. For others, it can be excruciating, chronic, and disabling. Low-back pain is unique for everybody and can differ depending on the cause. Some low-back pain symptom descriptions include (Förster M. et al., 2013)
Aching pain deep in the back
Shooting pain flare-ups
Pain caused by slight pressure
Burning
Tingling
Sciatica Not Present
For some, low-back pain may be confined to a specific area known as axial back pain. (Förster M. et al., 2013) The pain may be felt in a band along the lower back and does not radiate down the legs or anywhere else.
Sensory changes radiating down the leg – numbness, burning, and or tingling
Sleep Tools
Consider changing the mattress to improve sleeping with lower back pain and sciatica. For the best spinal support, choose a medium to firm mattress. Pillows, wedges, and other tools can also help improve sleep. (UCF Health, N.D.) It is recommended that individuals who sleep on their backs place a small pillow under their knees to reduce pressure on their lower backs. For those who sleep on their side, placing a pillow between the knees can keep the spine in a neutral/straight position. To relieve lower back pain, consider sleeping in a reclined, angled position with the head and shoulders higher than the hips. This can be accomplished with an adjustable bed or a wedge to prop the body in a regular bed.
Back Sleeping
Easing back pain while sleeping involves maintaining the body in a neutral or straight position. Extending the muscles, tendons, and ligaments too far in any one direction while sleeping with lower back pain and sciatica can cause stiffness, muscle spasms, and pain. Sleeping on the back puts the spine in neutral alignment with the least stress on the neck and back. It evenly distributes body weight to avoid exerting pressure on the joints and prevent backaches. In addition, a supine position allows outstretched ligaments to shrink and recover to their normal positions. (Keck Medicine of USC, 2019)
Chiropractic Assessment
Chiropractic care aims to help individuals improve movement with less pain due to condition, after injury, or surgery. A chiropractic physical therapy team may be best for individuals with acute back, neck, and musculoskeletal pain and discomfort symptoms. A chiropractor can quickly assess your condition and develop a customized treatment plan to expedite pain relief and improve mobility. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to build optimal health and wellness solutions. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, prevent injury, and help mitigate issues through adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal problems.
Förster, M., Mahn, F., Gockel, U., Brosz, M., Freynhagen, R., Tölle, T. R., & Baron, R. (2013). Axial low back pain: one painful area–many perceptions and mechanisms. PloS one, 8(7), e68273. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0068273
Can individuals relieve back pain by incorporating core strength training to reduce pain and discomfort in their lower backs?
Introduction
Many individuals worldwide have dealt with back issues that make it difficult to complete any task that they are doing. Many often feel pain and discomfort radiating from the three sections of the back and can radiate from the neck, shoulders, and hips. When these areas of the musculoskeletal system are being affected, it can lead to a life of pain and chronic conditions that cause overlapping risk profiles. At the same time, some causes of back pain often correlate with environmental factors and weak core muscles. When a person is dealing with weak core muscles, they will experience instability and pain when they are mobile, leading to back pain. In today’s article, we look at what the core muscles are, how they are connected to back pain, and how strengthening them can reduce the effects of back pain. We discuss with certified medical providers who inform our patients how strengthening the core muscles can reduce back pain. While asking informed questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to incorporate various core strengthening exercises to prevent overlapping risk profiles correlated with back pain. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., encompasses this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
What Are The Core Muscles?
Do you feel a constant ache or pain in your back after lifting or carrying objects in a hunched position? Do you experience muscle weakness in your torso that you can’t stay in a plank position for a few seconds? Or do you experience radiating pain from your lower back to your leg? The core muscles are a group of muscles wrapped around the torso like a support belt that helps with stability, balance, and protecting the lumbar from injuries. The core muscles are found in the lower body’s front, back, and sides. At the same time, the core muscles can help generate intrabdominal pressure while moving the vertebral column. (Flynn & Vickerton, 2024) In the core muscles, the transverse abdominis muscle or the seatbelt muscle. This muscle works with the inspiratory muscles through elastic loading to evoke transversus expiratory activity when breathing and functioning in motion. (De Troyer et al., 1990)
Core Muscles & Back Pain
The core muscles, especially the transverse abdominis muscles, are often overlooked as many individuals frequently deal with numerous factors that cause low back pain. Common core muscles are associated with back pain because environmental factors can neglect the transverse abdominis muscles. Fatigue in the core muscles can cause repetitive asymmetric loading on the spine, which enhances susceptibility to back pain and other injuries. (Zemkova & Zapletalova, 2021) Since back pain is a multifactorial condition that is one of the leading causes of hospital visits and socio-economic issues, many individuals start to neglect the core muscles over time, causing them to be weak. Some symptoms correlated with weak core muscles include:
When this happens, many people start looking for treatment to reduce their back pain and help strengthen their core muscles.
Discover The Benefits Of Chiropractic Care- Video
Strengthening Core Muscles
Before people reduce their back pain and return to their daily routine, they would have to be assessed by a pain specialist like a chiropractor to assess fully what environmental factors are causing the back pain. After the assessment, a chiropractor can work with a physical therapist to reduce back pain and strengthen the core muscles to prevent back pain from returning. When it comes to core strengthening exercises, they focus on either the deep or superficial muscles of the torso, which might produce different effects on lumbar motion. (Puntumetakul et al., 2021) Additionally, core stability exercises can reduce pain in the back and disability reduction and improve a person’s quality of life. (Kanwal et al., 2021) Engaging the muscles through core strengthening exercises can help achieve optimal strength with twisting and side-bending movements to reduce back pain.
Pay Attention To Engaged Core Muscles
However, individuals need to pay attention to engaging their core muscles while maintaining a neutral spine position for stability and preventing back pain. (Cigdem Karacay et al., 2022) This allows individuals to be consistent with strengthening their core and to commit to short workouts incorporated as part of not only their routine but also as part of their customized treatment plan. When it comes to reducing back pain, it is important to ensure that the core muscles are engaged to help build strength and stability, decrease back pain, and improve functionality. When people start strengthening their core muscles, they will be able to be more mindful about how to present themselves and live healthier lives.
References
Cigdem Karacay, B., Sahbaz, T., Gurtekin, B., Yildiz, S., & Ozcan, E. (2022). Effectiveness of whole-body vibration exercise and core stabilization exercise in chronic non-specific low back pain: A randomized-controlled study. Turk J Phys Med Rehabil, 68(2), 184-194. doi.org/10.5606/tftrd.2022.7060
De Troyer, A., Estenne, M., Ninane, V., Van Gansbeke, D., & Gorini, M. (1990). Transversus abdominis muscle function in humans. J Appl Physiol (1985), 68(3), 1010-1016. doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1990.68.3.1010
Kanwal, S., Yaqoob, I., Shakil-Ur-Rehman, S., Ghous, M., Ghazal, J., & Namroz, N. (2021). Effects of core muscle stability on low back pain and quality of life in post-menopausal women: A comparative study. J Pak Med Assoc, 71(1(A)), 37-40. doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.151
Puntumetakul, R., Saiklang, P., Tapanya, W., Chatprem, T., Kanpittaya, J., Arayawichanon, P., & Boucaut, R. (2021). The Effects of Core Stabilization Exercise with the Abdominal Drawing-in Maneuver Technique versus General Strengthening Exercise on Lumbar Segmental Motion in Patients with Clinical Lumbar Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial with 12-Month Follow-Up. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18(15). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157811
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Can individuals utilize chiropractic care to reduce sciatica pain and help restore mobility to their lower back and legs?
Introduction
Many individuals are always on the move and utilize the lower half of the body to go from one location to another. From the lower back to the feet, many individuals do repetitive movement that causes the lower back muscles to be constantly stretched. This, in turn, can lead to overlapping risk profiles that can affect the lower back and a long nerve connected to the lower back, known as the sciatic nerve. When numerous issues affect the sciatic nerve, many individuals experience pain and discomfort over time, which can develop into something chronic without treatment. Luckily, when individuals begin to think about their health and wellness, it reduces the chances of pain and discomfort from returning. Today’s article looks at the causes of sciatica and how non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care can help relieve sciatica pain and restore mobility to the lower back and legs. We discuss with certified medical providers who inform our patients how sciatica pain correlates with the lower back. While asking informed questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to incorporate non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care to reduce sciatica pain and help realign the body. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., encompasses this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
What Causes Sciatica?
Do you feel numbness or tingling sensations in your legs, making walking unbearable? Do you experience pain or discomfort in your lower back after lifting a heavy object? Or how long have you stretched your body after sitting down or standing excessively at work? Many of these scenarios are often correlated with low back pain. However, low back pain is always connected with sciatica and can impact the body. While the sciatic nerve plays a huge role in direct motor function to the hamstrings and lower extremities, sciatica is when environmental factors impact or compress the sciatic nerve, causing pain-like symptoms to the lower extremities. (Davis et al., 2024) Since the sciatic nerve is large and travels down to the feet, it allows mobility to the lower extremities. When many individuals experience low back pain, they will also experience sciatica.
Sciatica also means that pain will always be transmitted along the sciatic nerve root, leading to various impairments and socioeconomic consequences and affecting a person’s quality of life. (Siddiq et al., 2020) Many of the causes of sciatica pain can vary as they are all correlated with low back pain. Some of the various environmental factors that can cause sciatica include:
Physical inactivity
Excessive sitting or standing
Poor posture
Musculoskeletal conditions
Another environmental factor that leads to the development of sciatica is disc degeneration. This can cause the nerves to be irritated due to herniation and cause asymptomatic overlapping risk profiles (Zhou et al., 2021). When people are dealing with the overlapping risk profiles of sciatica, many often seek treatment to reduce the pain and restore mobility to the lower extremities.
Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms, & Tips- Video
How Chiropractic Care Reduces Sciatica
Since sciatica is commonly experienced as a frequent symptom cause of low back and leg pain, the symptoms can range from a mild tingling sensation to a burning sensation, and treatment is needed. Many individuals will seek out non-surgical treatments to reduce the pain caused by sciatica. Non-surgical treatments are non-invasive, affordable, and customizable to the individual. One of the non-surgical treatments is chiropractic care, which can help many individuals dealing with sciatica. A chiropractor can diagnose a person’s sciatica and assess the root cause of the symptoms to provide the most appropriate form of treatment. The main goal for chiropractic care is to restore the natural mobility of the spine and provide progressive relief from pain and stiffness in the lower extremities while improving a person’s daily living. (Kruse et al., 2019)
Chiropractic Care Restores Lower Back & Leg Mobility
Chiropractors utilize manual and mechanical spinal manipulation to increase lumbar spinal mobility and flexibility and improve the legs biomechanically. (Siciliano et al., 2024) Chiropractic treatments can also use various methods like neural mobilization intervention to decrease the pain and restore nerve function in the lower extremities and lower back. (Peacock et al., 2023) This allows individuals to have a reduced disability from sciatica associated with low back pain, and it is possible to prevent sciatica from occurring in the future. As many people begin to become more mindful of what is causing their sciatica, they can find effective ways to improve their spine’s well-being and prevent sciatica symptoms from affecting the lower extremities.
Kruse, R. A., White, B. A., & Gudavalli, S. (2019). Management of Lumbar Radiculopathy Associated With an Extruded L4-L5 Spondylolytic Spondylolisthesis Using Flexion-Distraction Manipulation: A Case Study. J Chiropr Med, 18(4), 311-316. doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2019.02.001
Peacock, M., Douglas, S., & Nair, P. (2023). Neural mobilization in low back and radicular pain: a systematic review. J Man Manip Ther, 31(1), 4-12. doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2022.2065599
Siciliano, T. B., Gudavalli, M. R., & Kruse, R. (2024). Spinal manipulation and mobilization forces delivered treating sciatica: a case report. Front Integr Neurosci, 18, 1356564. doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2024.1356564
Siddiq, M. A. B., Clegg, D., Hasan, S. A., & Rasker, J. J. (2020). Extra-spinal sciatica and sciatica mimics: a scoping review. Korean J Pain, 33(4), 305-317. doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2020.33.4.305
Zhou, J., Mi, J., Peng, Y., Han, H., & Liu, Z. (2021). Causal Associations of Obesity With the Intervertebral Degeneration, Low Back Pain, and Sciatica: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 12, 740200. doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.740200
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