By Dr Ben Appleyard (Chiropractor)
It’s a common story: “I didn’t lift anything heavy. I just bent over to tie my shoes and suddenly my back went out!” It can be confusing when such an ordinary movement triggers significant pain.
It May Have Been Building for a While
Your spine and surrounding muscles deal with thousands of movements and loads every day. Sitting, standing, lifting, twisting, exercising, fatigue, stress and spending long periods in one position can all add to the demands on your body.
Most of the time, your body adapts well. But there can be times when your capacity to handle more load is temporarily reduced.
Think of it like filling a glass with water. Different physical and lifestyle factors add a little at a time. Bending down to tie your shoes might be just one small drop, but if the glass is already close to full, that can be the moment it overflows.
In other words, the shoelaces probably aren’t the real problem.
What Happens When Your Back Suddenly Seizes Up?
When you bend forward, the muscles, joints, discs and connective tissues in your back all work together to control the movement.
If an area is already irritated, stiff, fatigued or dealing with more load than usual, an everyday movement may be enough to trigger pain or muscle spasm.
That doesn’t automatically mean you’ve seriously damaged your back. Pain can be complex, and its intensity doesn’t always tell us how much tissue damage, if any, has occurred.
Building Your Back’s Capacity
Backs are designed to move and adapt. Staying physically active, gradually building strength and movement capacity, changing position regularly and progressively becoming more confident with bending and lifting may all help your back cope with the demands of everyday life.
The right approach will be different for everyone, particularly if you’re already experiencing pain.
So, if your back “goes out” while you’re tying your shoes, don’t be too quick to blame the shoelaces. A more useful question might be: what was happening before that final movement?
When Should You Have Back Pain Assessed?
If an episode is severe, keeps coming back or is making everyday activities difficult, an individual assessment can help determine what may be going on and whether further investigation is appropriate.
Seek prompt medical attention if back pain is accompanied by symptoms such as significant weakness or numbness, changes in bladder or bowel function, or other symptoms that concern you.
If your back pain is recurring or getting in the way of everyday movement, contact Family Chiropractic Bundaberg to arrange an assessment and discuss whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual advice from your healthcare provider.