What is Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition. It can range from a dull ache to sharp, debilitating pain. The pain may be acute (lasting a few days to weeks) or chronic (persisting for more than three months). Causes of lower back pain include:
Muscle strain
Injury
Medical conditions such as disc degeneration or nerve compression
Lower back pain affects millions of people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability. If left untreated, it can impact daily activities, reduce mobility, and affect overall quality of life.
The Body’s Response to Lower Back Pain
Pain affects the body by disrupting motor control, which is how muscles coordinate movement. People with lower back pain often brace their trunk muscles to protect the affected area, limiting their range of motion. This might look like keeping a stiff, straight back when bending forward or twisting. Early activation of spinal muscles to brace and sustained contraction even at rest can strain joints and fatigue muscles, leading to further pain and dysfunction.
Lower back pain can also result from restricted hip and/or thoracic mobility, forcing the lumbar spine to compensate and bear excessive load. Addressing these mobility restrictions can help prevent recurrent lower back pain.
Another consequence of lower back pain is impaired proprioception, the body's ability to sense its position in space. This can cause difficulty in spinal control, affecting movements such as:
Abdominal curl-ups
Cat-cows
Pelvic curls
Planks
Poor spinal awareness may also contribute to inefficient movement patterns during daily activities and exercise.
How Myotherapy Can Help
Myotherapy uses evidence-based treatments for lower back pain. It combines manual therapy, corrective exercises, and education to provide both short-term relief and long-term improvements.
A systematic review by Narenthiran, Granville Smith, and Williams (2025) found that integrating manual therapy techniques, such as:
Myofascial Release (MFR)
Massage Therapy
Muscle Energy Techniques (MET)
alongside targeted exercises leads to greater improvements in pain relief, mobility, strength, and endurance compared to exercise alone. Manual therapy helps reduce muscular tension and improve mobility, allowing individuals to perform exercises more effectively and with greater confidence.
The Role of Allied Health Professionals
Effective lower back pain treatment often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Myotherapists work closely with other manual therapy and movement professionals, such as:
Physiotherapists
Exercise Physiologists
Personal Trainers
By collaborating with a team of experts, we can develop a comprehensive treatment plan that targets the root causes of your pain. This helps you restore mobility, build strength, and regain confidence.
Take the First Step Toward Pain Relief
If lower back pain is interfering with your daily life, don’t wait for it to get worse. At KEC-Start, we provide tailored myotherapy treatments to help you move better and feel stronger. Book an appointment today and start your journey toward lasting pain relief.
Book Your Myotherapy Session Now!
References
Narenthiran, P., Granville Smith, I., & Williams, F. M. K. (2025). Does the addition of manual therapy to exercise therapy improve pain and disability outcomes in chronic low back pain: A systematic review. Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies, 42, 146-152.
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