Low Back Pain
What’s Really Causing It?
Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care. In fact, research shows that up to 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. But here’s the thing—it’s not just about pain. It’s about what’s causing it and how you can fix it properly.
At Living Chiropractic, we focus on identifying specific dysfunctions in the lumbar spine (the lower part of your back) that may be interfering with your spinal function, nerve signals, and posture—leading to discomfort, tightness, or stiffness.
What Causes It?
Low back pain often comes from abnormal joint movement (known as a subluxation) in one or more vertebrae. Common causes include:
Lifting and twisting awkwardly (e.g. putting kids in the car)
Slips, trips, and falls
Repetitive bending or poor posture at work
Prolonged sitting or standing in one position
Weak core and glute muscles
When a vertebra is not moving properly, it can inflame the disc and surrounding tissues, sending confusing signals to your brain. This disrupts your central nervous system’s ability to coordinate posture and movement, often leading to more pain and stiffness over time.
What Are the Signs of a Lumbar Spine Problem?
Pain when sitting or trying to get up from a chair
Relief when walking but increased pain with bending forward
Difficulty standing up straight or feeling like you’re leaning to one side
Localised pain in the low back, especially near the beltline
A sense of instability or weakness in your lower back
Sciatica -
When Back Pain Travels Down the Leg
Sciatica refers to pain that travels down the leg—often caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. This can feel like:
Sharp or burning pain running down the buttock, thigh, or calf
Pain down the outside or front of the leg
Tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness
Increased pain when sitting, standing, or walking
Difficulty getting comfortable in bed due to leg discomfort
Sciatica is not always due to a disc issue—it can also be caused by pelvic joint dysfunction, especially in the sacroiliac joints.
Why Early Treatment Matters
When spinal or pelvic dysfunction is left untreated, the surrounding nerves and tissues can stay inflamed, leading to:
Worsening symptoms
Poor sleep or trouble with everyday movements
Increased wear and tear on spinal discs (leading to arthritis or disc bulges)
More complicated and costly treatment later on
Pelvis-Related Low Back or Leg Pain
If your pelvic joints (especially the sacroiliac joints) aren’t functioning properly, they can mimic or trigger sciatica. Signs of pelvic involvement include:
Common causes of pelvic subluxation include:
Repetitive twisting (e.g. shoveling or sweeping)
Walking on uneven ground or in high heels
Sudden lifting or reaching awkwardly
Pregnancy-related changes in pelvic stability
Groin or hip pain
Difficulty standing on one leg
Heel or Achilles pain not linked to a bone spur
Pain walking or when lying down
Trouble sleeping due to leg discomfort
How We Help at Living Chiropractic
Our experienced team of Gonstead Chiropractors specialize in identifying and correcting the exact segment of the spine or pelvis causing the problem.
For Lumbar Spine Issues:
✔ We perform a detailed spinal assessment using postural analysis, hands-on palpation, and X-rays (bulk-billed under Medicare if needed).
✔ Specific Gonstead adjustments restore movement to the affected vertebra.
✔ This helps the brain rewire better control of posture, movement, and muscle tone—essential for long-term recovery.
For Pelvic & Sciatic Pain:
✔ We examine sacroiliac joint movement and leg-length discrepancies.
✔ Gentle, specific adjustments restore proper joint motion and reduce nerve pressure.
✔ Rebalancing the pelvis allows the spine and lower limbs to move in sync again.
🧠 Dr. Heidi Haavik, a chiropractor and neuroscientist, has shown in her published research that spinal adjustments directly affect brain processing, improving coordination, movement control, and reducing pain perception.
“The most interesting thing is that chiropractic care, adjusting the spine to restore spinal function, actually changes the way the brain functions.” – Dr. Heidi Haavik
Backed by Science
Modern research continues to support chiropractic care as an effective, drug-free approach to low back pain:
A 2018 study in JAMA Network Open found chiropractic care significantly reduced low back pain intensity and improved function compared to standard medical care.
The Lancet (2018) global series on back pain emphasizes that most low back pain can and should be managed without drugs or surgery—and highlights the importance of spinal movement and manual therapy.
Dr. Haavik’s studies (2017, 2021) show that chiropractic adjustments positively influence sensorimotor integration in the brain, improving your body’s control and reducing pain signals.
Ready to Feel Better?
If you’re dealing with low back pain or sciatica, Living Chiropractic in Chelsea Heights is here to help you move better, feel better, and live better.
📍 Serving Chelsea Heights, Bonbeach, Patterson Lakes, Carrum & surrounding areas
📞 Call us today: 03 9580 2282
