Severe Low Back Pain After a Minor Movement

"I bent over to pick up an object and now my lower back is in so much pain.” This is a common

Julie Cai

November 15, 2022

"I bent over to pick up an object and now my lower back is in so much pain.”

This is a common complaint that presents at our Chiro & Physio clinic in Marrickville. Individuals often report moderate to severe low back pain after a relatively minor movement, such as bending over to pick up a light object from the floor. There are multiple causes of low back pain, however this minor incident more often indicates fatigue or lack of control of the lumbo-pelvic region, rather than tissue overload. Individuals with chronic low back pain may also suffer acute exacerbations that may become more frequent and require less to initiate over time.


Signs & Symptoms of Acute Low Back Pain

The pain usually presents in the lower back area, and could be either one-sided, both sides and/or central to the spine. It can also refer to the glutes, hamstrings, or lower leg, and feel like a deep-seated ache. If it is sharp and lancinating in nature, and radiates as a narrow band down the leg, it may be radicular pain which is associated with nerve root irritation. This is commonly seen as a result of intervertebral disc prolapse or a disc bulge.

Often individuals with this acute, sudden onset of lower back pain may adopt a fixed position as a way of guarding the pain, and have severely restricted movement in all directions. The muscles around the lower back may also be tender to touch, with associated muscle spasm.


Treatment for Acute Low Back Pain

Physio & Chiro combined with rehabilitation are effective modalities for treating low back pain (Paige, 2017 & Wembeke et. al 2019) . After your Physio and Chiro has ruled out red flags, such as cauda equina, fragility fractures and cancer, treatment can start. Initial stages of treatment are targeted at pain relief, which may include releasing muscle spasm through massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, taping, acupuncture and appropriate joint mobilisation or adjustment. Further stages then involve assessing contributing factors, such as lumbopelvic control and strength, pelvic alignment or dysfunctions coming from another region of the body.

In the meantime, self-management strategies such as avoiding aggravating movements, adopting the position of greatest comfort, analgesics and certain stretches can also aid in recovery.


Our Physio & Chiro at our Allied Health Clinic situated in Sydney's Inner West are highly experienced in treating this condition in all types of individuals, including tradies, athletes, pregnant women, parents who have bent over to pick their kid's toys, office workers or anyone in the general population. If you have any further questions about how we can help with your low back pain, head over to our Contact Us page, or book in now to make an appointment.

More Blog

A black and white photo of a man in a suit and tie

Top Stories

What are pins and needles?

Most people have experienced pins and needles at some point in their lives. Whether it's from sitting in one position for too long or wearing tight shoes, the sensation is usually harmless and goes away relatively quickly. However, pins and needles sometimes signal something more serious, like nerve damage. If you experience pins and needles regularly or for extended periods of time, it's important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying health conditions. Pins and needles are caused by compression or irritation of the nerves. When the nerves are compressed, they can't send normal signals to the brain. This causes the sensation of pins and needles. In most cases, this is temporary and will go away independently. However, if the compression is severe or lasts long, it can lead to permanent nerve damage.

Kim Le

arrow to service

Is Your Back Tingling? A Chiropractor Might Be Able to Help

There are many potential causes of back tingling, but one possibility is a chiropractic issue. Chiropractors are trained to identify and treat spine and other musculoskeletal systems problems. If your back tingling is caused by a misaligned spine or other problem, a chiropractor may be able to help. Chiropractic treatment manipulates the spine and other joints to reduce pain and improve function. It is generally considered safe, but there are some risks involved. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your chiropractor before starting treatment. If you are experiencing back tingling, make an appointment with a chiropractor to see if they can help.

Kim Le

arrow to service

Chiropractor: the answer to a stiff back

More and more people are turning to chiropractors for pain relief.

Kim Le

arrow to service

Get In Touch

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.