5 Key Muscular Imbalances Responsible for Back Pain

Divine care physio
2 min readOct 27, 2023

Introduction:

Welcome to our informative blog post dedicated to understanding and addressing the root causes of back pain. At Divine Care Physiotherapy in Langley, we believe that a targeted approach to managing back discomfort begins with identifying key muscular imbalances. These imbalances often play a pivotal role in the onset and persistence of back pain. In this article, we delve into the top five imbalances responsible for back pain, shedding light on how they affect the spine and posture.

Unraveling the Culprits: Top 5 Muscular Imbalances Behind Back Pain

Back pain can be attributed to a variety of factors, and among them, muscular imbalances are significant contributors. Below, we’ll explore five key imbalances that can lead to back discomfort:

Weak Core Muscles:

  • Inadequate core strength can lead to poor posture and spinal misalignment.
  • Weak core muscles place additional stress on the lower back, triggering pain.

Overactive Hip Flexors:

  • Prolonged sitting or sedentary lifestyles often result in tight hip flexors.
  • Overactive hip flexors tilt the pelvis forward, straining the lower back muscles.

Tight Hamstrings:

  • Tight hamstrings limit the pelvis’s range of motion, impacting the lumbar spine.
  • This imbalance can contribute to increased stress on the lower back during movement.

Imbalanced Quadratus Lumborum:

  • Asymmetry in the quadratus lumborum, located on either side of the spine, can cause back pain.
  • This muscle imbalance often results from unilateral activities, such as carrying heavy loads on one side.

Weak Gluteal Muscles:

  • The glutes play a vital role in stabilizing the pelvis and supporting the spine.
  • Weakness in the gluteal muscles can disrupt this stability, leading to back pain.

Understanding these imbalances is the first step towards a targeted and effective approach to managing back pain. Divine Care Physio specializes in identifying and addressing these issues, tailoring treatments to restore balance and alleviate discomfort. By addressing the root causes of muscular imbalances, we empower individuals to reclaim a pain-free and healthy back.

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