Understanding Low Back Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and How Acupuncture Helps

Low back pain is one of the most common health issues today—affecting people who sit for long hours, lift heavy objects, run regularly, or simply live busy, stressful lives. While most episodes of acute low back pain improve quickly, recurring or chronic pain often signals deeper imbalance that needs proper evaluation and treatment.

At Orangetown Acupuncture, we help patients relieve pain naturally and restore healthy movement using acupuncture, cupping, and targeted treatment plans.

Types of Low Back Pain

Acute Low Back Pain

Lasts up to 12 weeks. Most patients recover quickly without permanent functional loss.

Chronic Low Back Pain

Lasts longer than 12 weeks and may flare up repeatedly over time.

Where Low Back Pain Comes From

Low back pain can originate from several structures:

• Intervertebral discs

• Facet joints

• Vertebrae

• Nerves

• Muscles

• Ligaments Acute Low Back Pain

Understanding the true source of your pain is the first step toward effective treatment.

Spinal Causes of Low Back Pain

1. Herniated Disc

Disc bulges or protrusions can irritate nearby nerves, causing:

• Radiculopathy (nerve pain) or sciatica

• Worse pain with sitting, sneezing, coughing, or bending forward

• Relief with rest or lying down

• Leg pain > back pain

• Most common at L4–L5 and L5–S1 levels

2. Discogenic Pain (Disc Degeneration)

• Back pain > leg pain

• May worsen with prolonged sitting or bending

3. Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve openings causing:

• Leg pain with walking

• Relief when leaning forward

• Numbness or weakness

4. Spondylolisthesis

A slipped vertebra that leads to:

• Instability

• Back pain

• Difficulty standing upright

5. Other Spinal Causes

• Segmental instability

• Infection (discitis, osteomyelitis)

• Tumors such as multiple myeloma

• Osteoporotic fractures

• Inflammatory diseases (Ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis)

Non-Spinal Causes of Low Back Pain

Low back pain may also come from nearby structures:

• Hip conditions (arthritis, labral issues)

• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

• Piriformis syndrome

These can mimic lumbar pain or sciatica.

Extra-Spinal Causes (Organs)

Certain organ-related conditions can refer pain to the low back:

• Kidney stones

• Urinary tract infection / pyelonephritis

• Duodenal ulcer

• Abdominal or thoracic aneurysm

• Pelvic inflammatory disease

These require medical evaluation if red-flag symptoms are present.

Muscle-Based Low Back Pain: Iliocostalis vs Quadratus Lumborum (QL)

Two of the most commonly involved muscles in low back pain are Iliocostalis and Quadratus Lumborum (QL).

Iliocostalis Pain

Causes:

• Lifting heavy objects

• Twisting while lifting

• Prolonged sitting

• Repetitive bending

• Poor posture

Symptoms:

• Low back pain

• Rib tightness

• Hip discomfort

• Pain that can mimic sciatica or SI joint pain

Quadratus Lumborum (QL) Pain

Causes:

• Prolonged sitting

• Weak glutes or core

• Overuse

• Poor posture

• Heavy lifting

Symptoms:

• Deep aching low back pain

• Sharp pain with coughing/sneezing

• Pain with walking, sitting, or standing

• Pain worse with side bending

• Can cause hip hiking (hip pulled upward)

• Deep SI joint pain

Referral pattern:

• Groin pain

• Abdominal pain

• Front of thigh

• Outer hip & glutes

• Deep sacral pain

Key Difference & Overlap

• Depth: Iliocostalis = superficial; QL = deeper

• Referral: QL has broader referral patterns

• Mechanism: Iliocostalis = lifting/twisting; QL = sitting/weakness

• Relationship: Both muscles influence each other—tightness in one often tightens the other

How Acupuncture Helps Low Back Pain

Acupuncture is one of the most evidence-supported natural treatments for all types of low back pain.

1. Reduces Muscle Tension

Targets tight muscles like QL, iliocostalis, glutes, and paraspinals—releasing knots and improving circulation.

2. Decreases Inflammation

Acupuncture increases micro-circulation and reduces inflammatory chemicals.

3. Calms Nerve Irritation

Especially useful for sciatica, disc herniation, and stenosis.

4. Improves Mobility

Reduces muscle guarding and improves movement patterns.

5. TCM Perspective

Low back pain often involves:

• Kidney deficiency

• Liver Qi stagnation

• Damp-cold accumulation

• Channel obstruction

Treatment restores balance and supports long-term relief.

How Many Treatments Are Needed?

While every patient is different, typical ranges include:

• Acute low back pain: 3–6 treatments

• Chronic low back pain: 6–12 treatments

• Disc herniation/sciatica: 6–12+ treatments

• Maintenance care: Every 2–4 weeks

Self-Care Tips at Home

• Light stretching (hip flexors, glutes, hamstrings)

• Heat therapy for tight muscles

• Avoid long sitting—move every 45 minutes

• Gentle core activation

• Stay hydrated

• Avoid sudden heavy lifting

When to Seek Care

If you experience any of the following, professional evaluation is important:

• Pain lasting longer than 1–2 weeks

• Pain radiating down the leg

• Numbness or tingling

• Difficulty standing or walking

• Pain from a fall, accident, or lifting injury

Get Relief at Orangetown Acupuncture

If low back pain is affecting your daily life—walking, sitting, sleeping, or exercising—we’re here to help.

📍 Orangetown Acupuncture – Orangeburg, NY

📞 845-570-5057

🌐 Book an appointment and start feeling better today.

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