Discover why seemingly innocent movements can trigger debilitating lower back pain, often without serious injury. Learn the true causes, from muscle spasms to nerve sensitization, and simple, effective ways to prevent and manage it through movement and a healthy lifestyle.
Many people are baffled by how mild actions like bending or picking up a mug can cause severe, long-lasting lower back pain. This article reveals that most cases aren't due to serious damage to muscles, tendons, or bones, but rather start with a benign muscle spasm that sensitizes nerves. Affecting an estimated 80% of the population, lower back pain is a significant health burden, with high recurrence rates, often triggered by stress, lack of sleep, and inactivity. While imaging often shows no obvious injury, the pain is very real. The good news is that preventing back pain is easier than treating it, and many cases resolve naturally. Experts emphasize the importance of moving the spine in all directions, as our joints need constant movement. Adopting a healthy lifestyle—including better sleep, diet, physical activity, and stress management—is crucial for prevention and recovery. Even with pain, the key is to keep moving, gradually increasing activity to 'remind your brain that it’s OK to move.'
