Posts Tagged ‘Essendon chiropractic’

Should I rest or stay active with lower back pain?

Staying gently active helps lower back pain recover faster than prolonged rest.
Short rest is fine during flare-ups, but movement is what restores strength, confidence, and function.
Should I rest or stay active with lower back pain?

This is one of the most common questions I hear in the clinic.
The advice has changed significantly over the years.

Old advice:
“Rest until the pain goes away.”

Current evidence-based advice:
Rest briefly if needed, then get moving again.

Long periods of rest:

Weaken support muscles 
Stiffen spinal joints 
Reduce blood flow 
Increase

Do I Need an X-Ray or MRI for Lower Back Pain? A Chiropractor’s Honest Answer

Most people with lower back pain do not need an X-ray or MRI.
Scans are only helpful when specific red flags are present or when symptoms don’t improve with appropriate care.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI for my lower back pain?

In most cases, no.
Scans rarely change the treatment plan for everyday lower back pain.

This surprises most people.
But decades of research show imaging is often unnecessary for common back pain.

Why?

Because most back pain is:

Mechanical –

Lower back pain

Most lower back pain is caused by a combination of irritated joints, tight or weak muscles and poor movement habits—not serious damage.
The key is identifying which tissues are overloaded, why it started and what’s keeping it stuck.
What is actually causing my lower back pain?

Lower back pain rarely comes from one single cause.
It’s usually a mix of mechanical stress, tissue irritation and reduced movement quality.

The most common drivers I see in clinic include:

Muscle overload or spasm
Joint stiffness or irritation
Disc-related irritation
Nerve pressure
Poor load and posture management
Accumulated wear and tear

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