Why Your Back Hurts More Than It Should: The Hidden Causes Of Back Pain Most People Miss

If you’re dealing with recurring back pain—especially the kind that comes and goes, flares up with activity, or gets worse after sitting—you’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a doctor, but here’s the surprising part: most people never discover what’s actually causing it. They focus on the pain, not the root issue.

At Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health, we help patients uncover the real sources of their back pain every day. And in many cases, the underlying cause isn’t what people expect. Here are the hidden factors that lead to back pain—and what you can do to fix them.

1. Posture That Slowly Breaks Down Your Spine

We spend more time sitting today than any generation in history. Phones, laptops, long commutes, and hours at a desk all pull your body into a forward-head, rounded-shoulder position. Over time, this shifts pressure to the joints and discs in your lower back.

Even worse, your postural muscles become weak and fatigued, forcing the wrong muscles to do extra work.

Signs posture is the problem include:

·       Stiffness when standing up

·       Tightness between the shoulder blades

·       Feeling “compressed” or “slouched”

·       Lower back fatigue after sitting

Small posture improvements can dramatically reduce strain on the spine.

2. Weak Stabilizing Muscles (Especially the Core & Glutes)

Your spine depends on a team of muscles for support. When those muscles—especially the deep core and glutes—aren’t doing their job, the joints of the spine take the hit.

This is one of the most overlooked causes of chronic low back pain.

Common signs include:

·       Pain during lifting

·       Repeated “tweaks” or flare-ups

·       Difficulty standing or walking long distances

Strengthening these stabilizers through exercises like Bird Dogs, Dead Bugs, McGill Big 3, or glute bridges can significantly reduce pain.

3. Restricted Joint Motion That Builds Up Over Time

Joints in the spine are designed to move. When they don’t, the body compensates by forcing other joints to move more than they should. This imbalance often leads to inflammation, stiffness, and pain.

Chiropractic adjustments restore normal motion to these restricted joints, helping reduce tension on the surrounding muscles and nerves.

4. Early Degenerative Changes Nobody Told You About

Did you know degeneration in the spine can begin as early as your 20s?

Most people never notice until the pain becomes significant.

Degenerative changes don’t mean you’re “broken”—they simply mean your spine needs more support, better mobility, and consistent care. With the right combination of chiropractic treatment, rehab type exercises, and lifestyle changes, most people feel dramatically better.

5. Old Injuries That Never Fully Healed

Even minor injuries can create long-term imbalances. A sprained ankle, old sports injury, or whiplash from years ago can subtly change how you move, leading to chronic back stress.

Identifying (and correcting) these hidden biomechanical issues is one of the things we do best.

Ready to Fix the Real Cause of Your Back Pain?

Back pain doesn’t happen randomly—and it doesn’t have to become your “new normal.”

Our chiropractic and rehab approach helps restore movement, strengthen weak links, and correct the actual source of your pain so you can get back to living your life.

Schedule your Complimentary Consultation today to find out what’s really causing your back pain—and what you can do to fix it.

Click HERE to Schedule an Appointment

This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all healthcare concerns, decisions, and actions must be made through the advice and counsel of a healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.