Understanding Low Back Pain
Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek care and one of the most misunderstood. It can range from a short-lived episode after lifting or sitting too long to a persistent, recurring problem that affects work, sleep, exercise, and daily life. In many cases, low back pain is not caused by a single injury but by a combination of mechanical stress, tissue irritation, movement habits, and nervous system sensitivity. While imaging findings such as disc bulges or degeneration are common, they do not always explain pain on their own. Understanding how your back is functioning not just what it looks like is often the key to long-term improvement.
Common Causes and Triggers
Low back pain often develops from one or more of the following factors:
Prolonged sitting or repetitive postures
Poor movement patterns or deconditioning
Muscle strain or ligament irritation
Joint stiffness or segmental restriction in the spine or pelvis
Disc-related irritation (with or without leg symptoms)
Previous injuries that never fully resolved
Stress, fatigue, and poor sleep affecting tissue recovery
Sudden increases in activity, lifting, or training volume
In many people, pain persists because the tissues are overloaded faster than they can recover, or because the nervous system becomes overly protective.
Typical Signs and Symptoms
Low back pain can present differently from person to person. Common symptoms include:
Localized aching, stiffness, or tightness in the lower back
Sharp or catching pain with certain movements
Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, standing, or lifting
Reduced range of motion or a feeling of “locking”
Pain that may refer into the hips, glutes, or thighs
Morning stiffness or pain after prolonged inactivity
Flare-ups that come and go without a clear reason
Not all low back pain follows a predictable pattern, which is why individualized assessment matters.
Evaluation, Management, and When to Seek Support
Low back pain is evaluated through a detailed history, physical examination, and movement assessment to understand how your spine, joints, muscles, and nervous system are interacting. Rather than focusing on a single structure, care is directed at identifying contributing factors such as mobility restrictions, tissue sensitivity, load tolerance, and movement habits.
Management typically focuses on reducing irritation, restoring normal motion, improving tissue capacity, and gradually reintroducing load and activity in a safe, structured way. Education plays a central role in helping you understand what aggravates your symptoms, what supports recovery, and how to move with more confidence.
You should consider seeking care if your pain:
Persists beyond a few days or keeps returning
Interferes with work, sleep, or daily activities
Is progressively worsening
Limits your ability to exercise or stay active
Is associated with leg pain, numbness, or weakness
Treatments Commonly Used for Low Back Pain at ONE80 Health
Care is individualized based on presentation, stage of healing, and goals. Treatments that may be used include: