Why Does My Lower Back Hurt? 10 Common Causes and When to See a Chiropractor

Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people miss work, cancel plans, or struggle to enjoy everyday life. Whether your pain started suddenly or has slowly gotten worse over time, your body is trying to tell you something.

At White Rock Chiropractic in Dallas, we help patients identify the source of their back pain—not just cover it up with medication. Understanding what may be causing your discomfort is the first step toward lasting relief.

1. Muscle or Ligament Strain

The most common cause of lower back pain is a strained muscle or ligament. This often happens after:

• Lifting something heavy
• Twisting awkwardly
• Yard work
• Home improvement projects
• Sports activities

Pain from a strain may feel sharp at first and then become sore or stiff over the next several days.

2. Sitting Too Much

Many people spend eight or more hours each day sitting at a desk or driving.

Prolonged sitting places increased pressure on the discs in your lower back while weakening the muscles that support your spine.

If your back feels worse after getting out of a chair, prolonged sitting could be part of the problem.

3. Poor Posture

Small posture habits add up over time.

Examples include:

• Slouching while working
• Looking down at your phone
• Leaning forward while driving
• Standing with uneven weight

Poor posture places abnormal stress on joints, muscles, and spinal discs.

4. Herniated or Bulging Disc

The discs between your vertebrae act as cushions.

If one becomes damaged, it may press on nearby nerves, causing:

• Pain down one leg
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Sciatica symptoms

Many disc problems improve with conservative treatment, including chiropractic care when appropriate.

5. Arthritis

As we age, the joints in the spine naturally experience wear and tear.

Arthritis can lead to:

• Morning stiffness
• Reduced flexibility
• Aching pain
• Difficulty standing after sitting

While arthritis cannot be reversed, many patients experience improved mobility and reduced discomfort through conservative care.

6. Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed.

Symptoms often include:

• Pain traveling into the buttock
• Leg pain
• Burning sensations
• Tingling
• Numbness

Many people mistakenly believe the problem is in the leg when it actually begins in the lower back.

7. Weak Core Muscles

Your abdominal and back muscles act like a natural brace for your spine.

When these muscles become weak, your lower back must work much harder during normal daily activities.

8. Stress and Muscle Tension

Emotional stress often shows up physically.

Many people carry tension in their:

• Neck
• Shoulders
• Lower back

Muscle tightness caused by stress can contribute to ongoing discomfort and stiffness.

9. Old Injuries

Even injuries from years ago can eventually lead to recurring back pain.

Common examples include:

• Car accidents
• Sports injuries
• Falls
• Work injuries

Scar tissue and joint restrictions may continue causing problems long after the original injury.

10. Spinal Misalignment

Restricted spinal joints can reduce normal movement and place additional stress on surrounding muscles and ligaments.

Chiropractic adjustments are designed to restore proper joint motion, helping reduce pain and improve function without surgery or medication when appropriate.

When Should You See a Chiropractor?

Consider scheduling an evaluation if:

• Pain lasts longer than one week
• Pain keeps returning
• You have difficulty bending or standing
• Pain travels into your leg
• Your pain is interfering with sleep
• Over-the-counter medications are no longer helping

The sooner many back problems are evaluated, the easier they are to treat before they become chronic.

When Is Back Pain an Emergency?

Seek immediate medical attention if your back pain is accompanied by:

• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Significant leg weakness
• Fever
• Recent major trauma
• Severe numbness in the groin area
• Unexplained weight loss with persistent pain

These symptoms may indicate a condition requiring urgent medical evaluation.  These symptoms may indicate a condition requiring urgent medical evaluation. For additional information about serious back pain symptoms, visit the National Library of Medicine Low Back Pain: Evaluation and Management.

How White Rock Chiropractic Can Help

At White Rock Chiropractic, Dr. Larry Parent performs a thorough examination to determine the source of your pain before recommending treatment.

Depending on your condition, your care plan may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Digital X-rays (when necessary)
• Cold laser therapy
• Electrical stimulation
• Therapeutic exercises
• Rehabilitation recommendations
• Home care guidance

Our goal is not simply to reduce your pain—but to help you move better and prevent future injuries.

Schedule an Appointment

If you’re asking yourself, “Why does my lower back hurt?”, you don’t have to continue guessing.

The experienced team at White Rock Chiropractic has been helping patients throughout Dallas recover from back pain, sports injuries, work injuries, and automobile accidents for more than 30 years.

Call 214-328-2225 or schedule your appointment today and let us help you get back to doing the things you love.