Back Pain
What it feels like, and where it comes from
Back pain rarely shows up for no reason. A joint in the low back stops moving the way it should, the muscles around it tighten to protect it, and before long simple things like getting out of the car, bending to tie a shoe or standing at the sink start to hurt. Some people feel a dull ache that never fully leaves. Others get a sharp catch when they twist or lift.
Most back pain we see is mechanical, which means it comes from how the joints, discs and muscles of the spine are moving and loading. That is good news, because mechanical problems respond well to care that restores normal motion. The key is a careful exam to tell the difference between a stuck joint, a disc problem, a muscle strain or something that needs a referral.
- Low back ache after sitting, driving or standing too long
- Sharp pain when bending, lifting or twisting
- Stiffness first thing in the morning that loosens as you move
- Pain that spreads into one hip or buttock
- A back that goes out a few times a year and takes days to settle
- Soreness after yard work, lifting at work or a long week on your feet
