Low Back Pain That Moves When You Do? Here’s What It Might Mean — and What You Can Do About It

Jun 6

Low Back Pain That Moves When You Do? Here’s What It Might Mean — and What You Can Do About It

If you’ve ever bent over, twisted funny, or woken up with a stiff, sore lower back, you’re not alone.

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek care. In many cases, it turns out to be mechanical in nature — meaning it’s influenced by how you move, sit, lift, or load your spine during the day.

This type of back pain often improves with movement and education — especially when guided by a physical therapist.

🔍 What Is “Mechanical” Low Back Pain?

Mechanical low back pain typically means that your symptoms:

Vary with activity or position
Feel better when you move a certain way
May flare up after lifting, sitting too long, or awkward movement
Tend to respond to progressive exercise and mobility work

It’s often related to:

Joint or muscle strain
Limited mobility
Movement inefficiencies
Weakness or deconditioning

However, it’s important to understand that back pain can have many causes, and the best next step is always a proper assessment by a trained clinician.

🧠 What About Imaging (MRIs and X-rays)?

Many patients are told they have:

A disc bulge
Degenerative changes
Arthritis
Narrowing (stenosis)

These sound serious, but they’re actually extremely common in adults — even those without pain. In many cases, what’s seen on imaging doesn’t directly explain your symptoms.

That’s why at SB Physio, we focus on how you move, function, and respond to activity — not just what a scan says.

✅ How Physical Therapy Can Help

Physical therapy for low back pain starts with an in-depth evaluation of:

Your posture and movement habits
How your symptoms behave with different motions
Your strength, flexibility, and coordination

We build a personalized plan to:

Reduce your pain through targeted movement
Improve spine and hip mobility
Build strength and control
Help you feel more confident with everyday tasks

🛑 When to Talk to Your Doctor First

Although most low back pain is manageable through conservative care like PT, there are some red flags that should be evaluated by a medical provider first. These include:

New bowel or bladder changes
Numbness or tingling in both legs
Significant unexplained weight loss
History of cancer or recent trauma
Fever or feeling unwell with back pain

If you’re unsure, we’re happy to help you figure out the right place to start.

👟 Keep Moving — Within Reason

Rest may feel tempting, but prolonged inactivity often makes back pain worse. Gentle, progressive movement — tailored to your symptoms — is usually the best path forward.

We’ll guide you through what’s safe, what to avoid, and how to build your strength and confidence again.

📅 Need Support Navigating Back Pain?

You don’t need to push through pain or guess what’s safe. Our team at SB Physio is here to help you understand what’s going on and build a plan to move forward.

👉 Schedule a Visit

* This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice or a substitute for professional evaluation. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for assessment and treatment of low back pain or any other medical condition.