This is NOT another “If your spine isn’t in a perfect position, it’s the worst thing for you” post.

Nor is this a “Your back pain is entirely caused by the curve of your spine” post.

This is rather a post highlighting that the curvature of the spine is just ONE factor to look at if you are experiencing back pain.

The other factors?

1. How well the spine can move; bending forward (flexion), arching (extension), rotating and bending to the side.[1]

2. The ability to use and control abdominal muscles. A common denominator of people with low back pain is the limited ability of the core muscles to produce force or stabilize the spine.[2,3]

3. Hip range of motion. [4,6] Limited movement in the hips tends to place excessive force on lower back musculature.

4. The muscle balance between the right and left hip.[4,5,6] Depending on the severity, a hip imbalance can cause irregularly imbalanced movement and rotation of the spine.

5. The muscle balance between the right and left shoulder.[5,6,7] An imbalance with the shoulders will directly alter how muscles are recruited in the hips, pelvis, and spine. If a shoulder imbalance is severe enough, the upper body can rotate, shift, or lean to one side, placing excessive load within soft tissue on one side of the spine leading to strain and injury.

6. Level of physical activity.[8]

Measuring spinal curves can be useful in determining the cause of back pain; however, it should not be seen as a ‘catch-all’ method.

To truly get answers, a more holistic approach is required. An approach that considers how the spine moves, how the spine moves with the hips and shoulders, and how well the core supports your day-to-day movement - combine all of this together, and your chances of resolving a painful back significantly increase.

I’ve put together a program designed to restore the range of motion with the spine, balance the hips and shoulders, retrain the core to support you better, and improve full-body movement patterns.

If you’d like to learn more, click the link in my bio! I’d love to help you.

Sources are cited below! 🤝🔥

[1] Pope MH , Bevins T, Wilder DG, Frymoyer JW. The relationship between anthropometric, postural, muscular, and mobility characteristics of males ages 18–55. Spine.1985;10:644–648.

[2] Mayer TG , Smith SS, Keeley J, Mooney V. Quantification of lumbar function, part 2: sagittal plane trunk strength in chronic low-back pain patients. Spine.1985;10:765–772.

[3] Nachemson A , Lindh M. Measurement of abdominal and back muscle strength with and without low back pain. Scand J Rehabil Med.1969;1:60–63.

[4] Kendall FP , McCreary EK, Provance P. Muscles, Testing and Function: With Posture and Pain. 4th ed. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins;1993.

[5] Nadler SF, Malanga GA, Feinberg JH, Prybicien M, Stitik TP, DePrince M. Relationship between hip muscle imbalance and occurrence of low back pain in collegiate athletes: a prospective study. Am J Phys Med Rehab. 2001 Aug;80(8):572-7. doi: 10.1097/00002060-200108000-00005. PMID: 11475476.

[6] Michaud T. C. (2011) Human Locomotion: The conservative management of gait related disorders. Newton Biomechanics.

[7] Neumann, D. (2016). Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system: Foundations for physical rehabilitation (3rd ed.). Elsevier.

[8] James W Youdas, Tom R Garrett, Kathleen S Egan, Terry M Therneau, Lumbar Lordosis and Pelvic Inclination in Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain, Physical Therapy, Volume 80, Issue 3, 1 March 2000, Pages 261–275

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