Tight, restricted joints, muscles and connective tissue create lower back pain. Tension present in the structures of the lower back produce pain through:

•  direct pressure on nociceptors (nerve endings) or by
•  inflammation placing pressure on nociceptors

Weak, elongated postural muscles integral to the support and structure of the lower back and pelvis create excessive tension on the lower back joints, muscles and connective tissue.

The weakened posture

• creates an excessive lordotic lumbar curve which comprises the joints, muscles and connective tissue
• The lack of support places too great a load on the lower back and creates a jamming effect to the area as movements compensate for the postural weakness.

All modalities focus on eradicating tension present in joints, muscles and connective tissue, whilst failing to provide an effective method to address and correct the postural muscles that created the tension and pain in the first place.

Let's look at the most common modalities that treat back pain:

Physiotherapy - use techniques such as joint mobilisation, range of movement exercises, ultrasound, T.E.N.S, and stretching.  All of these techniques are dedicated to relieving joint and muscle tension and or reducing inflammation.

Chiropractic and Osteopathy - use techniques such as joint manipulation which release both joint and muscular tension.    

Remedial therapy and Myotherapy - use soft tissue manipulation techniques that are designed to release tension present in muscles and connective tissue.

So if you have acute back pain, in that it is only a few days of weeks old then the likelihood of you responded to standard treatment such as the above mentioned modalities is really high.

Whilst your pain is still derived from the same areas as chronic back pain, the chances of your postural muscles having sufficient strength to support your back is quite high at this stage. Your acute back pain symptoms are however a key warning sign that you need to start addressing your postural asymmetries to avoid future acute flare ups and or the potential to end up with chronic debilitating back pain.

If however you suffer from chronic back pain, you are most likely now aware that physio, chiro and massage only provide you with temporary short term relief from your pain. Hopefully now you are aware why this is the case, the treatment frees you of the tension present, however you walk away from your appointment still with a lack of support for the back. This lack of support places all the load back onto the back, it tires and fatigues and you end up right back the way you were before you received the symptomatic pain relief.   

If you fall into this category then you must address the underlying cause of your back pain. Seek a competent practitioner who specialises in restoring postural symmetry and strengthening your body so the pain does not return.

For more information on what to do if you suffer from chronic back pain, please refer to the specific articles on our site.