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Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints Dr. Brent Johnson sees at Castle Hills Chiropractic in Castle Hills, Texas. In this episode, he walks listeners through the most frequent causes of lower back pain, whether it comes on gradually or strikes suddenly.
Dr. Johnson explains that understanding the root cause of your pain is the first step toward real, lasting relief. He shares practical guidance on what you can do to address lower back pain and start feeling better.
If you have been putting up with that deep, nagging ache in your lower back, this episode is a great place to start taking action.
Hey there, and welcome back. I’m Doctor Brent Johnson with Castle Hills Chiropractic here in Castle Hills, Texas. And today we’re talking about something that affects just about everybody at some point in their life. Lower back pain. Yeah, that deep, nagging ache that can stop you in your tracks. Whether it crept up on you slowly or hit you out of nowhere, I want you to know you’re not alone. And more importantly, there’s a lot you can do about it.
So let’s dig in.
Now, here’s the thing about lower back pain. It’s not one single problem. It’s more like a symptom that can come from a whole bunch of different places. And when we understand what’s actually causing it, we can actually fix it, instead of just chasing the pain around.
Let me break down the most common causes I see in my office every single week.
The first one is muscle strain and tension. This is probably the most common cause of lower back pain I see. And honestly, it makes a lot of sense when you think about how most of us live. We sit for long hours. We look down at our phones. We don’t move nearly as much as our bodies were designed to. Over time, those muscles in your lower back get tight, they get fatigued, and eventually they start talking to you. Loudly. A lot of times this kind of pain feels like a dull ache, stiffness when you get up in the morning, or soreness after a long day. Sound familiar?
The second big cause is joint dysfunction in the spine. Your lower back is made up of individual vertebrae, and each one of those has joints on either side called facet joints. These joints need to move properly. When they get stuck or restricted, it can cause pain, stiffness, and even send discomfort down into your hips or glutes. This is actually one of the things chiropractic care is really well suited to address. Restoring that normal joint motion can make a significant difference in how you feel.
And the third cause I want to mention is disc irritation. Now, I don’t want you to panic when you hear the word disc. Disc problems are more common than most people realize, and they exist on a really wide spectrum. Sometimes a disc that’s under extra pressure can cause local back pain. Other times it might create symptoms that travel down your leg. Either way, understanding what’s going on with your disc is a big part of figuring out the right approach for your specific situation.
Okay, so what can you actually do about this today? Here are a few things that genuinely help.
Keep moving. I know it sounds counterintuitive when your back hurts, but gentle movement is usually better than lying still. Short walks, light stretching, just getting up and changing positions regularly can all make a difference.
Pay attention to how you sit. If you’re spending hours in a chair, make sure your hips are level and your lower back has some support. Even a small rolled up towel behind your lower back can help.
Strengthen your core. Your core muscles act like a natural brace for your spine. You don’t need to do anything extreme. Simple exercises like gentle bridges or bird dogs can start building that support over time.
And stay hydrated. The discs in your spine are largely made of water, and they rely on hydration to stay healthy and absorb the demands you put on your body every day.
Now, here’s when I really encourage you to come in and get evaluated. If your back pain has been lingering for more than a week or two, if it’s affecting your sleep or your ability to do normal daily activities, or if you’re feeling any tingling or numbness down your leg, those are signs your body is asking for some help. Don’t wait until it gets worse. Early care usually means faster recovery and better outcomes.
At Castle Hills Chiropractic, we take the time to actually figure out what’s going on in your spine. We’re not just going to guess. We’ll do a thorough evaluation, talk through what we find, and build a care plan that makes sense for your life.
If you’re in the Castle Hills area and your back has been giving you trouble, I’d love to see you. Give us a call, check us out online, or just stop by. We’re here for you.
Thanks so much for listening today. Take care of your spine, and we’ll see you next time.
