Lower Back Pain & Chiropractic
Understanding Lower Back Pain: A Biomechanical Perspective
Lower back pain is one of the most prevalent and frustrating issues people face, limiting mobility and interfering with daily life. While often attributed to isolated causes, such as poor posture or overexertion, the truth is that lower back pain frequently reflects broader dysfunctions within the body's interconnected systems. By examining the biomechanics of the lower back through a functional lens, we can better understand its causes and create a path to lasting relief
The Biomechanics of the Lower Back
The lumbar spine, consisting of five vertebrae, serves as the body’s load-bearing hub. Its primary role is to support the weight of the upper body while allowing flexibility and movement. It also functions as a key transitional point, distributing forces between the pelvis and thoracic spine.
However, the lumbar spine’s critical role in both stability and mobility makes it particularly vulnerable to dysfunction. Imbalances in adjacent structures, such as the pelvis or core, can disrupt its mechanics, resulting in uneven force distribution and excessive strain. For example, weak core muscles reduce intra-abdominal pressure, increasing stress on the lower back and leaving it susceptible to pain and injury.
This illustrates one of the core tenets of the biomechanical model: the body functions as an interconnected system. Lower back pain is rarely isolated to the lumbar region—it often reflects a deeper imbalance in how the body moves and compensates.
Compensatory Patterns and Underlying Causes
Compensation is the body’s natural response to dysfunction, designed to protect weakened areas and maintain function. However, these compensatory patterns often persist long after the initial issue has been resolved, leading to chronic pain and inefficiency. In the case of lower back pain, these patterns may stem from:
Poor pelvic alignment due to weak gluteus medius muscles, which compromises lateral stability.
Tight hip flexors pulling the pelvis into an anterior tilt, increasing the lumbar lordosis and stress on the lower back.
Poor foot mechanics or collapsed arches, which send ascending stress patterns through the kinetic chain.
Additionally, the pain-based approach many physical therapists adopt when addressing lower back pain often overlooks these broader dysfunctions. While symptom-focused treatments may provide temporary relief, they fail to address the underlying causes
Chiropractic Care for Lower Back Pain
Function-based chiropractic care seeks to break this cycle by addressing the biomechanical imbalances that contribute to lower back pain. Specific adjustments restore proper alignment and motion to the lumbar spine, reducing strain and improving force distribution. These adjustments are complemented by soft tissue techniques that address imbalances in the surrounding muscles, such as releasing tight hip flexors and activating underutilized stabilizers like the gluteus medius and core.
The functional assessment plays a central role in this approach, identifying how well the body is working and uncovering areas of dysfunction. By addressing these compensatory patterns, chiropractic care not only alleviates pain but also enhances the body’s ability to move efficiently and heal itself.
Preventing Lower Back Pain through Biomechanics
Preventing lower back pain requires addressing the foundational imbalances that place unnecessary stress on the lumbar spine. Key strategies include:
Strengthening the core to improve intra-abdominal pressure and spinal stability.
Enhancing hip mobility and flexibility, particularly through targeted stretching of the hip flexors and hamstrings.
Strengthening the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus to improve pelvic stability and reduce compensatory stress.
Addressing the ascending stress patterns caused by poor foot mechanics which are the essential foundations to all movement.
Incorporating postural awareness and proper movement patterns into daily life further reduces the risk of injury. Combined with function-based chiropractic care, these measures create a proactive, preventative approach to lower back health.
Lower back and Pelvis related Conditions
Lumbar facet joint sprain.
Lumbar facet irritation and instability.
Disc prolapse / herniation with or without sciatica.
Lumbar stenosis.
Degeneration / Osteoarthritis.
