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In this episode of the Northstar Integrated Health & Physical Medicine Center podcast, Dr. Paul Rieselman tackles one of the most widespread health complaints: lower back pain. Whether you wake up stiff, struggle to get out of a chair, or deal with chronic aching after long days, this episode is designed to help you understand what’s really going on.
Dr. Paul walks through the most common causes of lower back pain, from muscle strain and poor posture to more complex structural issues, and explains why so many people find themselves stuck in a cycle of recurring discomfort.
Most importantly, this episode is packed with practical guidance on what you can actually do about it, including when to seek professional care at a practice like Northstar Integrated Health & Physical Medicine Center in Lisle, Illinois.
Hey there, and welcome back. I’m Doctor Paul, and you’re listening to the Northstar Integrated Health and Physical Medicine Center podcast, coming to you from right here in Lisle, Illinois. Today we’re talking about something that affects nearly everyone at some point in their life… lower back pain. If you’ve ever woken up stiff, struggled to get out of a chair, or felt that familiar ache after a long day, this episode is for you. Let’s dig in.
So here’s the thing. Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people come see us. And I want you to know, most of the time, it’s not as scary as it feels. Understanding what’s causing it is really the first step to feeling better.
Now, one of the biggest culprits I see is what I call postural stress. Think about how much time most of us spend sitting. At a desk, in a car, on the couch. When we sit for long periods, especially with poor posture, the muscles in our lower back get strained. The spine gets compressed. And over time, that adds up. The joints and discs in your lower back were designed to move. When they’re stuck in one position for hours on end, things start to break down. That’s a big one.
Another really common cause is muscle imbalances. Here’s what I mean by that. Some muscles in your body get overused and tight, while others get weak and underactive. Your hip flexors, for example, those muscles at the front of your hips, they get really tight from all that sitting. And when those muscles are tight, they pull on your pelvis and lower back. Meanwhile, your glutes and core muscles, the ones that are supposed to support your spine, they get weak because they’re not being used properly. That imbalance puts a lot of extra stress on your lower back.
And then there’s what I call the sudden movement problem. You’ve heard this before. Someone throws their back out reaching for something on a low shelf, or twisting to grab groceries from the back seat. It doesn’t take much. A spine that’s already under stress, maybe from weeks or months of sitting and muscle imbalances, can get pushed over the edge by something simple. It’s rarely just that one movement that caused it. That movement was just the final straw.
So what can you start doing today? A few things. First, get up and move more. If you’re sitting for long periods, set a timer and stand up every thirty to forty-five minutes. Just walk around for a couple of minutes. It sounds simple, but it makes a real difference. Second, pay attention to your core. I’m not talking about crunches. I mean gentle, controlled movements that activate those deep stabilizing muscles. Things like gentle bridges or bird dogs are a great place to start. And third, stretch your hip flexors. A simple kneeling hip flexor stretch held for about thirty seconds on each side can help relieve that pull on your lower back.
Now, here’s when I want you to come see us. If your lower back pain has been hanging around for more than a week or two, if it’s affecting your sleep, your work, or your daily activities, or if you’re feeling any pain or tingling running down your leg, please don’t wait on that. Those are signs your spine needs a professional evaluation. We do a thorough exam, we look at how you’re moving, and we build a plan that’s specific to you. Not a cookie-cutter approach. Something that actually makes sense for your body and your lifestyle.
Here at Northstar Integrated Health and Physical Medicine Center, we work with patients every single day who thought they just had to live with their back pain. And most of them are amazed at how much better they can feel with the right care. You don’t have to just push through it.
So if you’re in the Lisle area and you’ve been dealing with lower back pain, give us a call. We’d love to see you and help you get back to feeling like yourself again. And if you found this helpful, share it with someone you know who’s been struggling. It might be just what they needed to hear. I’m Doctor Paul, and thanks so much for tuning in today. We’ll see you next time.
