Why does my Back keep going out?” The Real Reason Behind Recurring Pain

Dr. Joe’s Power On BODcast from Sheppard Chiropractic, Episode 42, we’re tackling a question I hear all the time in the office: “Why does my back keep going out?”

Maybe you bent over to tie your shoe, picked up a laundry basket, turned the wrong way, or simply got out of bed and boom, your back went out again.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

But here’s the truth right up front: your back is not randomly failing you. It’s not just because you’re getting older. It’s not bad luck. And it doesn’t necessarily mean your back is weak.

There is always a reason.

Today, we’re going to break down what’s really going on, why these episodes keep coming back, and most importantly, what you can do to help your spine, nervous system, and body function better.

Transcript

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In the time it takes you to get home, work, or play, Dr. Joe's podcast will inform and educate you on chiropractic, nutrition, and fitness, keeping you and your family up to date on current products, health tips, and optimized living with chiropractic care. And here's your host, Dr. Joe Shepherd.

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Hello everyone. My name is Dr. Joe Shepherd from Shepherd Chiropractic. Today on Dr. Joe's Power On Podcast, episode number 42, we're talking about tackling a question I hear all the time in my office. Why does my back keep going out? If you've ever been over to tie your shoe, picked up a laundry basket, or even just got out of bed, and boom, that back goes out again. You're not alone. But here's the truth right up front, your back isn't randomly failing you. It's not weak, not just getting older, and it's definitely not just bad luck. There's always a reason. And today we're going to break it down exactly what's going on, and more importantly, what you can do about it. So let's take a deep breath, maybe roll those shoulders back, and let's get aligned together. So what does my back went out actually mean? Let's start by clearing something up. When people say their back went out, they're usually describing one of a few things: a sudden sharp pain, muscle spasms, feeling stuck or locked up, limited motion, pain shooting into their hip or their leg. What's interesting is that the activity that caused it is often something very small, like bending, twisting, or maybe even reaching. So patients think, how could something so minor cause so much pain? The answer is it didn't. The small movement was the final straw, not the root cause. The last straw concept, well, think of your spine like a credit card. Every day you're making little charges to it. Poor posture, sitting too long, stress, old injuries, lack of movement, weak core stability, not exercising. Individually, these don't seem like a big deal, but over time they all add up. Eventually your body hits its limit, and that's when something simple like picking up a sock suddenly triggers severe pain. So when your back goes out, it's not because of what you just did, it's because of everything that led up to that very moment. The real underlying causes, well, let's dig a little deeper into why this keeps happening repeatedly. Spinal misalignment and joint dysfunction. When the joints in your spine aren't moving properly, your body compensates and tries to adapt. Some muscles overwork, others weaken. And over time, that imbalance creates instability. If that dysfunction isn't corrected, your back becomes more prone to going out again and again and again. Poor movement patterns, people don't realize that when they move throughout the day, it's setting them up for injury, bending with your back instead of your hips, twisting while you're lifting, slouching at your desk, standing unevenly. These patterns become automatic and they slowly wear down your body. And when I say core, I don't mean six-pack abs. I'm talking about the deep stabilizing muscles that support your entire spine. If those muscles aren't doing their job, the spine relies on passive structures like ligaments and discs to support. And that's when things start to break down. Number four, incomplete healing from previous injuries. This is a big one. You know, a lot of people feel pain and rest for a few days, maybe take some medication. And once the pain goes away, they assume they're fine. But pain always doesn't always go away. It does not mean the problem is fixed, also, when it goes away. It just means that the inflammation has calmed down, and then there may be less stress on the nerve or pressure on the nerve. If the underlying issue is still there, it's only a matter of time before it flares up again. Stress and tension. Yes, mental stress shows up physically also. When you're stressed, your muscles tighten, especially in your neck, shoulders, and lower back. And over time, that constant tension reduces mobility and increases the likelihood of an injury. So why it keeps coming back? Well, here's the cycle I see all the time. Back pain hits. Patient rests and modifies their activity. Pain decreases. Then the patient returns to normal life. The underlying issue is still there. And then the pain comes back again. And each time it comes back, it's tend to happen more easily and sometimes more intensely and last for longer also. That's because the body hasn't actually regained stability. It's just been temporarily quieted. The chiropractic perspective is that in chiropractic, we look at this differently. We're not just asking, how do we get rid of the pain? We're asking, why is this happening in the first place? Through adjustments, we restore proper motion, nerve function to the joints and to the spine. That helps reduce stress to the nervous system, improve overall movement patterns, and allow the muscles to function the way they're supposed to. But adjustments aren't ju are just one piece of the puzzle. What actually fixes the problem? Well, if you want your back to stop going out, you have to address the root causes. And here's what it looks like. Number one, consistent chiropractic adjustments. Not just when you're in pain, but proactively. This helps maintain proper joint function, optimal nerve function to the body, and prevents buildup of dysfunction. Strengthening the right muscles, you know, targeting deep core stability and supporting muscles, not just general workouts. Number three, fixing daily habits. This is huge. You know, how you sit, stand, sleep, and move every day matters more than what you do for one hour at the gym. Number four, improving body awareness. You know, learning how to move correctly, especially when lifting, bending, and twisting are key elements. Number five, recovery and maintenance. You know, your body needs ongoing care, just not for crisis management or pain care. Think of it like dental health. You don't wait for a toothache to brush your teeth and floss every day, right? Yeah. Number seven, the mindset shift. One of the biggest shifts patients need to make is this stop thinking your back as something that goes out. Instead, start thinking it as something that's been gradually overwhelmed and compensated. Because once you understand that, you will realize that you actually have to control, they have a control over it yourself. Think of it. So my closing thoughts, you know, if your back keeps going out, it's not random. It's not bad luck. It's your body telling you something hasn't been addressed yet. And that's good news, right? Once you identify and correct the underlying issues, those flare-ups don't have to be your normal anymore. So if you're in Cincinnati and this sounds like something you've been dealing with, we love to help you get through the root of your problem at our office. And if you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who's always saying, My back just went out again. With that in mind, I look forward to speaking with you on our next visit. I appreciate you taking the time to listen to me on your busy home, school, and work schedule. And I've always said it's easier to build a child's future than repair an adult. Have a great week and thanks for listening.

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Thanks for joining us on this episode of Dr. Joe's Podcast. Discover more insights on chiropractic, nutrition, and fitness on next week's episode and at Shepherdchiropractic.com.