Lower Back Pain: Common Causes, Myths, and Evidence-Based Management
Lower back pain affects most people at some point in their lives. While it can be distressing, the good news is that most back pain is not dangerous and responds well to appropriate management.
Common Causes of Lower Back Pain
Back pain is often linked to:
- Reduced movement variability
- Sudden changes in load or activity
- Prolonged sitting or standing
- Stress and fatigue
- Previous injury or deconditioning
In many cases, pain does not correlate with serious structural damage.
Common Myths About Back Pain
Myth: Back pain means something is “out of place”
Myth: Rest is the best treatment
Myth: Imaging always explains pain
Research shows that movement, reassurance, and gradual activity are often more effective than rest or fear-based approaches.
Evidence-Based Management
Best-practice care focuses on:
- Staying active within tolerable limits
- Addressing movement patterns and load tolerance
- Education about pain and recovery
- Targeted manual therapy and exercise when appropriate
How Osteopathy Fits In
Osteopathy takes a whole-body approach to back pain, helping people regain confidence in movement while addressing contributing physical factors.