Why Does My Back Hurt? (And What You Can Do About It Today)
Back pain is so common, it's almost become background noise in our lives—until it gets loud enough to interrupt your sleep, your workouts, or your workday. If you've ever thought, "Why does my back hurt for no reason?" or "Should I be worried about this pain?"—you’re not alone.
Let’s break down the most common causes of back pain, what they mean for your health, and what you can do before it turns into a bigger problem.
1. Your Back Hurts Because You Sit More Than You Move
Sitting, especially at a desk, puts pressure on your lower back, tightens your hip flexors, and weakens the muscles that keep your spine stable. This combo is a perfect recipe for low back pain, stiffness, and that sore “stuck” feeling when you stand up.
Quick fix: Set a timer every 30–60 minutes to stand, stretch, or take a walk—even for just 2 minutes.
2. You’ve Got Weak or Imbalanced Core Muscles
When we say “core,” we don’t mean abs, we’re talking about the deep muscles that support your spine, including the obliques, multifidus, diaphragm, and pelvic floor. If they’re weak or out of sync, your spine picks up the slack. Over time, that creates stress and pain.
What helps: Chiropractic adjustments can help realign your spine and reduce compensation, while rehab exercises strengthen the muscles that protect it long-term.
3. Stress is Sneakily Wrecking Your Back
Emotional stress leads to physical tension, especially in the neck, upper back, and lower back. Tight muscles, shallow breathing, and poor sleep all feed into the cycle.
Try this: Notice if your pain gets worse on stressful days. If so, movement, breathwork, and even chiropractic adjustments can help break the tension cycle.
4. You’re Moving Wrong Without Knowing It
Everyday activities like lifting kids, grabbing groceries, or even working out can trigger back pain—if your mechanics are off. Sometimes the movement feels fine in the moment, but repeated stress adds up over time.
Pro tip: If your back pain has a “nagging” or “repetitive” feel, it might be from poor movement patterns. Chiropractors are trained to spot these and retrain your body to move better.
5. You May Have an Injury or Condition That Needs Attention
Sometimes, back pain comes from:
Disc bulges or herniation
Sciatica (nerve irritation)
Arthritis
Scoliosis
Muscle strains or ligament sprains
Don’t panic, these issues are more common than you think and often respond well to conservative care like chiropractic, rehab, and lifestyle changes.
When Should You See a Chiropractor?
You don’t have to wait until you’re in agony to seek help. The sooner you get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, the faster you can feel like yourself again.
At Mountain Movement Chiropractic in Spearfish, we take the time to:
Figure out the root cause of your pain
Use evidence-based adjustments and soft tissue care
Give you simple exercises to keep the pain from coming back
Make your care personal, not cookie-cutter
📍 Mountain Movement Chiropractic – Spearfish, SD
📅 Schedule an Appointment Today!