What Causes Lower Back Pain? The Truth Might Surprise You

Mechanical Back Pain

Lower back pain is something most of us will face at some point—sometimes once, sometimes over and over. And if you're dealing with it right now, you’re not alone.

At Handcrafted Chiropractic, one of the most common questions we hear is:

“Why is this happening to my back?”

Here’s the honest truth:

Research shows that in less than 20% of cases, we can pinpoint an exact anatomical cause—like a disc injury or fracture. The other 80%? It's what’s called mechanical lower back pain. That means it doesn’t show up clearly on a scan or x-ray—but you still feel it, deeply. And it still interrupts your life.

That’s because your back does more than you think. It supports every step you take. It lets you get up, lie down, lift, bend, breathe freely, and move through the day with ease.When it hurts, everything can feel like a challenge—from work to sleep to just being present with your whānau.

What Is Mechanical Back Pain?

Mechanical pain refers to discomfort linked to how you move—or don’t move. It can be triggered or worsened by posture, overuse, stress, fatigue, or even how your nervous system is adapting to your environment. You might feel it as aching, stabbing, burning, stiffness—or a mix of them all. But the pain doesn’t always reflect the severity of the issue. And that’s an important distinction.

At Handcrafted Chiropractic, we approach pain as a signal, not a diagnosis.

So, What Can You Do?

Even if we can't always name a single cause, that doesn’t mean your body can't heal. Chiropractic care looks at how the spine, nervous system, and surrounding structures are working together—or not. Our role is to assess not just the sore spot, but how your body is adapting, compensating, or struggling to regulate stress and movement.

After a careful assessment, we create a plan that addresses:

• How you move (and how we can restore ease)

• How your spine and nervous system are communicating

• Daily habits—work setup, sleep, sitting, lifting, walking

• Breath and tension patterns

• Emotional and environmental stressors

• Your body’s natural rhythms and healing potential

We don’t just aim to “fix” the pain. We aim to help you feel more connected to your body, more adaptable, and more free.

Do You Need a Scan?

Not always. In fact, in most cases, imaging doesn’t change the care plan and may even create unnecessary worry. Scans are helpful when:

• There’s trauma (like a fall or accident)

• There’s bowel/bladder dysfunction

• There’s progressive numbness or leg weakness

• Or your symptoms haven’t changed after a number of sessions

We’ll always be upfront with you and refer appropriately if there are red flags.

Final Thought

Lower back pain doesn’t have to rule your life. And it certainly doesn’t define your health. At Handcrafted Chiropractic, we help you understand your body—not just what hurts, but why—so you can move forward feeling supported, seen, and empowered.

If you're ready to get curious about your back pain and reconnect with your body, book a visit with us.

Let’s begin crafting your recovery—together.

Book Now