You are certainly not alone if you struggle with lower back pain.
Lower back pain is a common ailment that affects millions of people worldwide. Whether you have experienced it personally or know someone who has, you understand the debilitating impact it can have on daily life. It is estimated that up to 60% of the adult population will experience some form of lower back pain in their life. And it has become one of the leading causes of absenteeism at work.
Because so many people struggle with lower back pain, it is often described as ‘normal.’ Still, when it comes to pain, it is a warning sign from your body that something is not right.
It is important to understand why it is there in the first place and get to the root cause, which is what we aim for at In Flow Chiropractic.

Lower Back Pain Only Affects Older Adults 

Reality: Lower back pain can strike at any age.

While it is true that the risk of developing lower back pain increases with age due to wear and tear on the spine, it can affect people of all ages. Young adults, athletes, and even children can experience lower back pain due to factors like poor posture, muscle imbalances, and injuries. Recognizing that age is not the sole factor is crucial in addressing and preventing lower back pain.

There are many reasons why back pain starts, but most commonly, it is due to a mechanical issue.

For example, there can be a muscle or ligament strain, the joints that connect each vertebra can get irritated, or injury can occur to the disc. These often start due to poor conditioning, repetitive twisting and bending, or a sudden movement such as a trip or fall.
Degenerative changes to the spine can also be a factor which would develop over time.

Bed Rest Is the Best Treatment

Reality: Prolonged bed rest can worsen lower back pain.

It is a common misconception that resting in bed for an extended period is the best way to heal lower back pain. In reality, too much bed rest can weaken muscles, stiffen the spine, and delay recovery. While short-term rest may be necessary, it should be followed by gradual, controlled movements to prevent further complications.
Regular movement, such as walking, is key to helping manage lower back pain.
If you are struggling, we recommend starting small with a 5 to 10-minute walk if you can and then building up over time.
Everyone’s experience of lower back pain is unique. What is possible for one may not be suitable for another, so always listen to your body when managing your pain.
If you can lie down, however, we recommend that over and above sitting.
Laying down will help to reduce the load on your lower back and allow your spine to be in a neutral position.
We know it can be challenging work to go from lying down to standing, but we assure you the movement will help your healing.

Should I see a chiropractor or get a massage for lower back pain?

It is important to establish why the lower back pain is there in the first place to determine what care is most appropriate going forward.
At In Flow Chiropractic, we conduct a detailed consultation checking all aspects of your spine and musculoskeletal system to get to the root cause. At times there may be an organ, dietary or emotional component, so each consultation is personalised specifically to your needs.
This will help us guide you on whether chiropractic care will be the best place to start.

How often should you see a chiropractor for lower back pain?

This is a question we are often asked; unfortunately, the answer differs from one person to another.
The cause of the back pain and individual circumstances will impact the frequency of visits and expected healing time. We would discuss this in detail following a consultation and create a tailored plan.

Can spinal adjustment help low back pain?

Having read this article so far, are you wondering if chiropractic care can actually help?!
Well, here is some good news, it can.
Focused chiropractic adjustments have been shown to be effective for lower back pain.
We have extensive experience with it at In Flow Chiropractic and see remarkable results.

Conclusion

We hope this information offers valuable insight into lower back pain and helps to provide an understanding into the structures involved in your lower back and the integral role your spine plays.
Despite lower back pain being quite common, it is not something that should be normalised.
If it is something you are struggling with, then a good place to start is identifying why it began in the first place and getting to the root cause of the issue.
Not only to get out of pain but also to help prevent problems from returning.
If we can be of any support on your lower back pain journey, please get in touch. We would love to help.
It is always lovely to see people regain mobility and return to their everyday activities.