Have you ever had back pain?

Most of us have at one time or another and, for some, back pain is chronic and debilitating.

There is abundant talk and research about common causes of back pain, things like falls, accidents, age-related degeneration, bulging or herniated discs, and trauma.

Ligaments that connect bone to bone and muscles that stabilize joints can sprain or strain, creating imbalances and discomfort of varying levels.

As a long-time bodyworker and movement teacher, back pain is a chief complaint among my clients and students. Each case of back pain has its unique origin story and holding space for that narrative is something I value.

What I've noticed in my years of practice, and in living in a human body that has experienced numerous bouts of back pain, is that there are 3 causes of back pain that we don't talk enough about.

1. The pelvis and pelvic floor health. I'm not sure why, but the "center of gravity" that is the pelvis is rarely the first area of the body evaluated by physicians when a patient presents with back pain. Given that the pelvis is the bridge between the lower and upper body, I feel it's the first place we should look! Has the person with back pain suffered a traumatic fall or injury to their pelvis? Is there rotation, upslip, downslip, or other imbalance in the bones of the pelvis that are creating muscular asymmetries? If the person has been pregnant and delivered a child, can we inquire about that experience and take into consideration the inherent shifts in pelvic floor structure, nerves, and function that accompany child bearing? These all can contribute to back pain.
2. Lack of stabilizing exercise. For decades, exercise science was fixated on cardiovascular and flexibility training. Both are important! It's more recently that I've noticed a push for lifting weights and doing resistance work, especially for those in mid life and beyond. For some people with back pain, a lack of targeted, quality strength training combined with poor posture and daily body mechanics has left spinal muscles overstretched and weak.
3. You feel unsupported in some area of your life. On the more body-mind side of things, when we have too much on our plate or are doing it all and receiving little help in return, our back can revolt. Emotional tension in the form of anger, fear, exhaustion, grief, lack of forgiveness, or other unresolved issues can linger in the back and create pain. Are you "pushing back" your feelings? Is there something that you have pushed away that you need to acknowledge and accept? Is there something "holding you back" from asking for the support you need and deserve?

As a massage therapist and yoga teacher, I want the people I interact with to feel good in their bodies. Back pain, whether a twinge or a tsunami of angst, often requires care that is multi-faceted. Recovery work may include the helping hands of skilled manual therapists, spine and pelvic floor physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, or osteopathic interventions.

You may need to clear space in your calendar to recover from an acute episode of pain or injury, one that will likely involve letting go of tasks or responsibilities that deter you from "having our own back" and healing.

Thereafter, regular awareness of self through joyful movement, daily activities, proper stretching and stabilizing exercise, and rest are often the tickets to a happy, health back.

I've got my back! How's yours?

Jennifer (she/her)

For support with what ails you, my online calendar is open for massage, 1:1 yoga, and virtual gentle yoga classes.