Low Back Pain

Causes, Symptoms & Chiropractic Treatment
Low Back Pain Explained
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Low back pain is one of the most common health conditions in the world. In fact, almost 8 out of every 10 people will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. It affects people of all ages and is one of the leading causes of missed work, reduced mobility and disability worldwide.
The good news is that most low back pain is not serious and responds very well to conservative treatment, especially when addressed early.
At Aston Manor Chiropractors, we diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your back pain—not just the symptoms—helping you move better, recover faster and reduce the chance of the pain returning.
What is Low Back Pain?
Low back pain refers to pain felt between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the buttocks. It may be:
  • A dull, constant ache across the lower back
  • A sharp or stabbing pain with certain movements
  • Muscle tightness, stiffness or painful spasms
  • Pain after sitting, standing or driving for long periods
  • Difficulty bending forward or standing upright
  • Pain when getting out of bed or after resting
  • Pain that is worse when lifting, twisting or reaching
  • Reduced flexibility or a feeling that your back is "stuck"
  • Tenderness when pressing on the lower back
  • Pain that comes and goes, or gradually worsens over time
  • Difficulty walking or standing for extended periods
  • A feeling of weakness or instability in the lower back


How Common is Low Back Pain?
Low back pain is incredibly common.
  • Nearly 80% of adults experience low back pain during their lifetime.
  • It is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.
  • It is the number one reason many people visit a healthcare professional.
  • Most episodes improve within a few weeks, but recurring back pain is common if the underlying problem isn't addressed.


What Causes Low Back Pain? 
Many structures in the lower back can become irritated or injured. These include:
The small joints of the spine (facet joints) can become stiff, irritated or "locked." This often causes sharp pain with movement and reduced flexibility.
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Muscles may become overstretched after lifting, twisting, gardening, sport or prolonged sitting.
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Ligaments support the spine. Sudden movements or awkward lifting can overstretch them, causing inflammation and pain.
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Hours spent sitting, driving or working at a computer place increased stress on the lower back.
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Small repeated movements gradually overload the spine even without a major injury.
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Weak abdominal and spinal muscles place greater stress on the joints and ligaments.
Hormonal changes, weight gain and altered posture increase stress on the lower back.
Running, golf, rugby, tennis, CrossFit, cycling and gym training can all overload the your low back.
Emotional stress often causes muscles to tighten, making pain worse.


How Does Low Back Pain Develop?
Think of your spine like a stack of building blocks connected by joints, muscles and ligaments.
When everything moves normally, forces are shared evenly.
However, if one joint stops moving properly:


  • Nearby muscles tighten to protect it.
  • Other joints compensate by moving too much.
  • Ligaments become overloaded.
  • Inflammation develops.
  • Pain-sensitive structures become irritated.
  • Movement becomes restricted.
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This creates a cycle of:
Pain → Muscle Tightness → Reduced Movement → More Pain
Without treatment, this cycle can continue for weeks or months.


Common Triggers
  • Lifting incorrectly
  • Carrying children
  • Gardening
  • Long drives
  • Office work
  • Poor workstation setup
  • Sleeping awkwardly
  • Moving house
  • List Item
  • Sporting injuries
  • Slipping or falling
  • Sudden twisting
  • Lack of exercise
  • Returning to exercise too quickly
  • Sometimes the pain develops without any obvious injury at all.


What Does a Chiropractor Look For?
Rather than only asking "Where does it hurt?", chiropractors try to determine why it hurts.
Your chiropractor will assess:
  • Spinal movement
  • Joint function
  • Muscle tension
  • Posture
  • Walking pattern
  • Hip movement
  • Pelvic alignment
  • Core stability
  • Lifestyle factors
  • Previous injuries
This helps identify the true source of the problem.


Can Chiropractors Treat Low Back Pain?
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Chiropractors are trained to assess, diagnose and manage virtually all mechanical causes of low back pain, including problems involving joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and movement dysfunction.
Treatment is tailored to the individual and may include:
  • Chiropractic spinal adjustments
  • Joint mobilization
  • Soft tissue therapy
  • Dry needling (when appropriate)
  • Shockwave therapy
  • Rehabilitation exercises
  • Postural correction
  • Ergonomic advice
  • Stretching programmes
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Lifestyle advice
If your chiropractor identifies signs that suggest a condition requiring further medical investigation, you will be referred promptly for imaging or to the appropriate healthcare provider.


Does Research Support Chiropractic Care?
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High-quality international clinical guidelines consistently recommend conservative care as the first treatment for most episodes of low back pain before considering surgery or long-term medication.
These recommendations include:
  • Spinal manipulation performed by appropriately trained healthcare professionals, including chiropractors
  • Patient education
  • Staying active


When Should You Seek Professional Help?
Book an assessment if your back pain:
  • Lasts longer than a few days.
  • Keeps returning.
  • Stops you enjoying daily activities.
  • Prevents you from working.
  • Limits walking or exercise.
  • Is getting worse instead of better.
  • Causes significant stiffness.
Early treatment often leads to quicker recovery.


Why Choose Aston Manor Chiropractors?
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Our goal is not simply to reduce pain—we aim to restore normal movement, improve function and help prevent future episodes.
Every patient receives a thorough assessment to identify the underlying cause of their symptoms before treatment begins.
Whether your back pain started yesterday or has been bothering you for years, we can help you understand the problem and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.