If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve asked yourself one simple question:
“Why does my back hurt?”
It’s one of the most common reasons people visit their primary care physician, urgent care, or chiropractor. In fact, nearly 8 out of 10 adults will experience significant back pain at some point in their lives.
The frustrating part? Back pain isn’t a diagnosis.
It’s a symptom.
Just like a headache can have dozens of different causes, low back pain can come from muscles, joints, discs, nerves, hips, feet, or even the way your body moves as a whole.
At Premier Chiropractic Clinic, our job isn’t just to make your back feel better today. Our goal is to determine why it hurts in the first place so we can help you move better, stay active, and reduce the chances of the pain coming back.
First Things First: Not All Back Pain Is the Same
One of the biggest misconceptions we see is that all low back pain must be caused by a “slipped disc.”
In reality, that’s only one possibility.
Back pain may originate from:
- Irritated spinal joints (facet joints)
- Muscle strains
- Ligament injuries
- Disc irritation or herniation
- Nerve irritation (such as sciatica)
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
- Hip dysfunction
- Poor movement patterns
- Foot mechanics
- Repetitive work or sports activities
The location of your pain gives us clues, but it rarely tells the whole story.
That’s why a thorough physical examination is so important.
Pain Doesn’t Always Equal Damage
Here’s something that surprises many patients.
Sometimes severe pain comes from relatively minor tissue irritation.
Other times, people with significant arthritis or bulging discs on an MRI have little or no pain at all.
Pain is influenced by many factors, including:
- Inflammation
- Joint mechanics
- Muscle tension
- Nervous system sensitivity
- Sleep
- Stress
- Physical activity
- Previous injuries
This is one reason we don’t rely solely on imaging when determining the best treatment plan.
Instead, we begin by listening to your story and performing a comprehensive examination.
The Most Common Causes of Low Back Pain
1. Muscle Strain
This is probably what most people think of first.
Maybe you lifted a heavy box.
Worked in the yard.
Started a new workout.
Or simply woke up feeling stiff.
Muscles can become overloaded, especially when other areas of the body aren’t moving well.
The important question isn’t just:
“Which muscle hurts?”
It’s:
“Why was that muscle forced to work so hard?”
2. Joint Dysfunction
Your spine is made up of many small joints that should move smoothly together.
If one segment stops moving normally, nearby muscles often tighten in an attempt to protect the area.
Over time this can create:
- Stiffness
- Pain when standing
- Pain after sitting
- Difficulty bending
- Limited rotation
Many patients describe this as:
“My back just feels stuck.”
Restoring normal joint motion is one of the primary goals of chiropractic care.
3. Disc Irritation
Discs act as cushions between the bones of your spine.
When irritated, they can cause:
- Pain with sitting
- Pain bending forward
- Difficulty getting out of bed
- Pain that travels into the buttock or leg
Contrary to popular belief, not every disc problem requires surgery, in fact, most don’t.
Many patients improve with conservative care, movement modification, and an individualized rehabilitation plan.
4. Nerve Irritation
When a nerve becomes irritated, pain often travels away from the spine.
Symptoms may include:
- Burning pain
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Pain into the buttock
- Pain down the leg
Many people automatically assume this means they have sciatica.
Sometimes that’s true.
Sometimes the source is completely different.
This is why a detailed neurological examination matters.
5. Your Hips May Actually Be the Problem
Here’s something many people don’t expect.
The pain may be in your back…
…but the source may actually be related to your hip mobility. If your hips don’t move well, your low back often compensates.
Over months or even years that extra stress can become painful.
This is one reason our doctors routinely examine the hips, even when your chief complaint is low back pain.
6. Your Feet May Be Affecting Your Back
Your feet are literally the foundation of your body.
Every step begins there.
If your feet aren’t absorbing force efficiently, that extra stress can travel upward into your:
- Ankles
- Knees
- Hips
- Pelvis
- Low back
This relationship is called the kinetic chain.
Rather than viewing the body as isolated parts, we recognize that each joint influences the next.
For some patients, improving foot mechanics with strengthening exercises or custom orthotics can become an important part of reducing recurring back pain.
Why We Don’t Always Recommend an MRI First
One of the most common questions we hear is:
“Should I get an MRI?”
Sometimes the answer is absolutely yes.
But often, the answer is not yet.
Research has consistently shown that many people without any back pain have MRI findings such as:
- Disc bulges
- Disc degeneration
- Arthritis
- Spinal changes
These findings become more common as we age and don’t necessarily explain your symptoms.
A thorough history and physical examination often provides more useful information than imaging alone.
If your examination suggests that advanced imaging is appropriate, we’ll discuss that with you and help guide the next steps.
Our Whole-Body Approach to Back Pain
One thing that makes Premier Chiropractic Clinic different is that we don’t simply chase symptoms.
Instead, we ask:
Why is your body moving this way?
Depending on what we find during your examination, your care plan may include a combination of:
- Chiropractic adjustments to the spine or extremities
- Hands-on soft tissue therapy
- Myofascial release
- Trigger point therapy
- Corrective exercises
- Cold laser therapy
- Electrical stimulation (E-Stim)
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Back on Trac spinal decompression
- Shockwave therapy for chronic soft tissue conditions
- Custom Foot Levelers® orthotics when appropriate
- Nutritional and supplement recommendations to support healing
Every treatment recommendation is based on your examination findings, goals, and individual needs.
What Can You Do at Home?
While every case is different, these habits often support recovery:
- Stay as active as your symptoms allow.
- Avoid prolonged bed rest unless specifically instructed.
- Change positions frequently throughout the day.
- Practice diaphragmatic breathing to improve core stability.
- Build strength gradually rather than simply stretching everything.
- Prioritize quality sleep and adequate protein intake to support tissue healing.
Most importantly, don’t ignore pain that continues to worsen or keeps coming back.
Pain is your body’s way of asking for attention.
Listening early often leads to simpler solutions.
When Should You See a Chiropractor?
Consider scheduling an evaluation if:
- Your back pain has lasted more than a week or two.
- Pain keeps returning.
- Pain travels into your leg.
- You notice numbness, weakness, or tingling.
- You’re avoiding activities you enjoy because of pain.
- You’re relying on pain medication just to get through the day.
The sooner we understand why your back hurts, the sooner we can begin creating a plan to help you recover.
The Bottom Line
Back pain is common—but that doesn’t mean it’s normal.
And it certainly doesn’t mean you have to “just live with it.”
Whether your pain began after lifting something heavy, sitting at a desk for years, training for a race, or seemingly out of nowhere, identifying the underlying cause is the first step toward lasting relief.
At Premier Chiropractic Clinic, we take the time to understand how your entire body moves—not just where it hurts. By combining hands-on chiropractic care, rehabilitation, movement assessment, and supportive therapies when appropriate, our goal is to help you get back to doing the things you love with confidence.
Related:
- Back Pain Relief: Common Causes, Stretching, Morning Stiffness & 5 Myths Explained (Coming Soon)
Ready to Find Out Why Your Back Hurts?
If you’re tired of guessing what’s causing your pain—or you’ve tried temporary fixes that haven’t lasted{MD}we’re here to help.
Schedule a comprehensive evaluation with one of our doctors. We’ll perform a detailed examination, explain our findings in plain language, and create a personalized treatment plan designed around your goals.
Call Premier Chiropractic Clinic today or schedule your appointment online. Let’s help you move better, feel better, and get back to living your life.