How to Fix Low Back Pain: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Guide

In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about lower back pain and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Symptoms of Back Conditions
• Why Some Back Conditions Struggle to Heal
• Types of Back Conditions
• Causes of Back Pain
• Treatments: Prolotherapy
• Prolotherapy Research
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Contact ProHealth Clinic
• Author Bio

In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about lower back pain and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.

Lower back pain is extremely common—most people will experience it at some point in their lives. The most common type of back pain is non-specific, often caused by muscle, tendon, or ligament strain, and can be difficult to pinpoint.

The treatment we offer at the clinic has been shown to reduce low back pain symptoms when all other treatments have failed. The following information will be covered in this article:

• Symptoms of back conditions
• Reasons why they can struggle to heal properly
• Types of back conditions
• Causes of back pain conditions
• Research on prolotherapy for back pain

You can find more video reviews on our review page.

Introduction to Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints, affecting millions of people around the world and often interfering with daily life. Whether it’s a sudden twinge or a persistent ache, back pain can range from mild discomfort to severe, disabling pain. Lower back pain, in particular, is a leading cause of missed work and reduced physical activity. Understanding the underlying causes, risk factors, and available treatment options is essential for effective pain relief and long-term management. Back pain can be classified by location—lower, middle, or upper back—and each type may require a different treatment approach. For many people, a combination of physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes is the most effective way to relieve pain and restore normal function. By learning more about back pain and its management, you can take proactive steps to reduce pain and improve your quality of life.

Symptoms of Low Back Pain

• Pain – this can be sharp, dull or burning in nature.
• Pain that radiates from the lower back down the leg – this may indicate nerve involvement, such as sciatica.
• Pain or numbness that can reach the foot or toes – this can be a sign of nerve compression.
• Numbness or weakness in the legs – this may indicate a more serious issue and should prompt you to consult a doctor.
• Stiffness – a sensation of tightness and immobility.
• Clicking in the lower back – this is a release of nitrogen gas bubbles from the joints between the vertebrae.
• Weakness – you struggle to hold a good upright posture when sitting down, particularly towards the end of the day.
• Instability – this can be as a result of either muscle, tendon or ligament weakness.

Risk Factors for Lower Back Pain

There are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing lower back pain. Poor posture, weak core muscles, and a lack of regular physical activity are among the most common contributors. As we age, the risk of back pain rises, especially if we are overweight or lead a sedentary lifestyle. Smoking and obesity can further increase the likelihood of experiencing pain in the lower back. Jobs or activities that involve heavy lifting, frequent bending, or twisting motions also put extra strain on the back muscles and spine. By identifying these risk factors and making positive changes—such as strengthening your core muscles, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying active—you can help prevent or reduce the severity of lower back pain. Regular exercise and good posture are key to keeping your back healthy and pain-free.

Why Do Some Low Back Conditions Fail to Heal Properly with Physiotherapy and Exercises?

Many individuals will start off by going to see their local doctor and normally leave their office with some sort of painkiller or anti-inflammatory prescription. If that doesn’t help, then they end up trying one or more physical therapy disciplines. The healing process involves multiple systems and structures in the body, including muscles, nerves, and organs, all of which can play a role in recovery. If they fail to help, then you have to ask the question, what is stopping me from healing?

Some of the reasons are described below:

Ligament weakness:

The role of a ligament is to stabilise our joints during movement. If weak, they can cause a joint to move at a range of motion that causes stress on the muscles around it.

How can this prevent me from healing? For example, you pull a muscle in your low back. For it to heal properly it needs to be resting and under as little strain as possible. If the ligaments adjacent to the pulled muscle are weak, then it creates a poor environment for the muscle to heal properly.

The injections help to toughen the fibres of ligaments, to improve the stability that they provide for an individual’s back.

Age:

As we age, the blood flow and blood supply to our musculoskeletal system becomes less efficient. This means structures like muscles, tendons and ligaments struggle to receive adequate levels of oxygen and nutrients to heal properly. The injections help to improve the blood supply to an injured area.

Misalignments:

This can be both a direct cause of back pain and also a reason why a condition will struggle to heal with physical therapy.

The low back works in partnership with your hips, knees and ankles. A misalignment of these joints can affect your gait cycle, causing increased pressure and strain to go through your lower back. A common cause of misalignments in lower limb joints can be ligament weakness. As described above, our treatment can help to strengthen ligament fibres.

Types of Back Injuries

The lumbar spine, which is the lower section of the spinal column, plays a crucial role in supporting the back and facilitating movement. It is a common site for injury and lower back pain due to issues with discs, nerves, or muscles in this region.

Disc herniation –

This is where the outer rings of a spinal disc becomes weak, and the small gel-like structure in the middle pushes out onto the weakened fibres. As a result, the adjacent nerve can become irritated.

Facet joint irritation –

A facet joint is located between two vertebrae. Each has a small capsule around it that can become strained during certain movements.

Misalignment –

This can occur at either the facet joints or the SI (sacroiliac) joints.

SI joint irritation –

A poor walking gait or a misalignment of a facet joint can cause the SI joint to over-work and cause pain.

Causes

Some of the most common causes are described below:

It is important to identify the underlying cause of back pain to ensure effective treatment and prevent recurrence.

Trauma:

The most common form of back trauma is from a lifting accident. It can be a result of either a poor lifting posture or the load being too heavy for the structures in the back to cope.

A car accident can cause pressure to go through the back. Both a head-on collision and a side shunt can cause the same level of damage.

Falls down the stairs or direct impacts during sporting activities such as rugby and American football can cause both damage and misalignments in the spine.

Our treatment can help back pain caused by trauma through proliferating the cells needed to heal at the site of the injury.

Poor Posture:

It is often regarded as the most common cause of back pain. The 21st century postures we now adopt cause muscles, tendons and ligaments to function at an unnatural angle that eventually leads to pain. Pain as a result of poor posture is more common in individuals with weak ligaments and muscles.

Our treatment can help to strengthen the ligaments in the spine. Combining it with certain Pilates exercises can help to improve overall spinal posture.

Misalignments:

These can cause structures in the back to operate at angles that they weren’t designed to. Misalignments are considered structural problems that can contribute to back pain and reduced mobility.

As discussed previously, trauma can cause a misalignment to occur in the spine. This can either be due to the accident itself or the limping postures people adopt to avoid pain.

Individuals diagnosed with hypermobility and conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can often experience misalignments of the pelvis. As a result, the SI joints can become irritated.

Our treatment can help to reinforce the ligaments both in the spine and the pelvis, helping to provide a better foundation for the muscles function.

Core Muscles and Stability

Your core muscles are the foundation of a healthy spine and play a vital role in preventing lower back pain. These muscles include the abdominals, back muscles, and pelvic muscles, all of which work together to support the spine and maintain proper posture. When core muscles are weak or tight, it can lead to poor posture and put extra strain on the lower back, increasing the risk of pain and muscle spasms. Strengthening your core through targeted exercises—such as planks, bridges, and pelvic tilts—can help stabilize the spine, reduce pain, and prevent future injuries. A strong core not only supports your lower back but also improves balance and allows you to engage in physical activity with less risk of strain. Incorporating core exercises into your routine is an effective way to relieve lower back pain and promote long-term spinal health.

Poor Posture and Pain

Poor posture is a leading cause of lower back pain and can make existing pain symptoms feel worse. Sitting or standing with a slouched back, leaning to one side, or keeping your feet off the floor can put uneven pressure on the muscles and joints in your lower back. Over time, this strain can lead to muscle imbalances, tight muscles, and chronic discomfort. To reduce the risk of back pain, it’s important to practice good posture—keep your feet flat on the floor, sit with your back straight, and avoid slumping or leaning. Taking regular breaks to stretch and move around, especially if you sit for long periods, can also help relieve lower back pain and prevent further strain. By making small adjustments to your posture and daily habits, you can find relief and protect your lower back from future problems.

Treatments: Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy

In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat back pain.^[1]

Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits.

Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to help with back pain. Prolotherapy may also help by influencing pain signals in the affected area, which can contribute to pain relief.

As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of back pain, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning. Combining prolotherapy with pain exercises can further improve outcomes and support long-term recovery.

Medication and Pain Relief

Medication can play an important role in managing lower back pain, especially when used alongside physical therapy and lifestyle changes. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly recommended to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the lower back. For some, acetaminophen or prescription medications may be necessary to manage more severe pain symptoms. However, it’s important to use these medications as part of a comprehensive treatment plan and under the guidance of a healthcare professional, as they can have side effects or interact with other treatments. In addition to medication, alternative pain relief methods such as using a heating pad or ice pack, massage, and acupuncture can help relieve lower back pain. Combining medication, physical therapy, and healthy lifestyle choices can help you find relief, reduce pain, and improve your ability to return to normal activities.

Prolotherapy Research on Low Back Pain

• Prolotherapy for chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial
• Is dextrose prolotherapy effective at reducing chronic low back pain?

Interested in finding out how much prolotherapy costs? Head over to our prices page.

To learn more about how prolotherapy works, head over to our page titled ‘prolotherapy.’

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Prolotherapy work for back pain?

Prolotherapy stimulates the body’s natural healing response by injecting a regenerative solution into weakened ligaments and tendons, promoting collagen production and tissue repair.

Is Prolotherapy safe?

Yes, Prolotherapy is considered safe when performed by a qualified practitioner. Side effects are rare and typically mild, such as temporary soreness or swelling.

How many treatments will I need?

Most patients require 3-6 sessions, spaced a few weeks apart. The exact number depends on the severity and duration of your back pain.

What is the difference between Prolotherapy and Prolozone Therapy?

Prolotherapy uses a regenerative solution to stimulate healing, while Prolozone Therapy adds medical ozone to further reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery.

Can Prolotherapy help with chronic back pain?

Yes, research shows Prolotherapy can reduce pain, improve function, and may even promote tissue repair in chronic back pain conditions.[1]

Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call

Author Bio

References

1. Yelland MJ, et al. Prolotherapy injections, saline injections, and exercises for chronic low-back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2004;29(1):9-16. Read study.
2. Rabago D, Nourani B. Prolotherapy for osteoarthritis and tendinopathy: a descriptive review. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2017;19(6):34. Read review.