Why Does My Back Pain Keep Coming Back? 7 Things Worth Looking At

Back pain can be frustrating enough the first time. But one of the most frustrating situations is when it improves, you start returning to your normal activities, and then suddenly the same problem comes back again.

If that sounds familiar, the important question may not simply be:

“How can I make my back stop hurting?”

A better question may be:

“Why does this keep coming back?”

Here are seven things I often consider when evaluating someone with a stubborn or recurring back problem.

1. The Pain Improved Before the Problem Fully Recovered

Pain can sometimes decrease before the tissues, joints, muscles, or movement patterns involved have fully recovered.

That's one reason someone may feel considerably better and then become irritated again after returning to normal activity.

Feeling better is obviously a good sign. It just isn't always the same thing as being completely recovered.

2. Certain Joints May Not Be Moving Well

Your lower back doesn't work as a collection of completely independent bones.

The spine, pelvis and hips work together.

If one area isn't moving properly, another area may compensate.

Over time, that additional stress can contribute to the same area becoming irritated repeatedly.

3. Muscles May Be Compensating

The location that feels tight or sore isn't necessarily the only area involved.

Some muscles may be working too hard while others aren't contributing enough.

That's why simply stretching the area that feels tight doesn't always solve a recurring problem.

4. A Disc or Nerve May Be Involved

Certain back problems are more complicated than simple muscle soreness.

Symptoms such as pain traveling into the buttock or leg, numbness, tingling, weakness, or symptoms that consistently worsen with certain positions may warrant a more thorough evaluation.

Not every back problem involves a disc or nerve — but it is something worth considering when symptoms repeatedly return.

5. The Same Daily Activity Keeps Triggering It

Sometimes the problem isn't mysterious at all.

It may be something you do for hours every day:

Sitting at a desk

Driving

Repetitive lifting

Working bent over

Yard work

Golf

Exercise

Poor lifting mechanics

Long periods without changing position

If the same stress continues every day, symptoms can return even after they temporarily improve.

6. The Original Diagnosis May Need Another Look

When someone has had the same problem for several months despite trying multiple things, I don't automatically assume they simply need more treatment.

Sometimes they need a better understanding of the problem.

That might mean re-examining the spine, checking movement, evaluating neurological findings, reviewing imaging when appropriate, or considering a different treatment approach.

This is especially important when someone tells me:

“I've tried everything.”

Often they haven't tried everything. They've tried several treatments aimed at the same assumption about what the problem is.

7. You May Need a Plan Beyond Symptom Relief

Getting someone out of significant discomfort is obviously important.

But once someone starts improving, the next question becomes:

What needs to change so this doesn't happen every few weeks?

Depending upon the individual, that may involve improving joint motion, building strength, modifying certain activities, changing exercise technique or gradually increasing the body's tolerance to activity.

The answer isn't the same for everyone.

When Should You Get Recurring Back Pain Evaluated?

Consider having it evaluated if:

The same problem repeatedly returns.

You've had symptoms for several weeks or months.

Previous treatment only provides temporary relief.

Pain travels into your leg.

You experience numbness or tingling.

Certain activities repeatedly trigger your symptoms.

The problem is beginning to limit work, exercise, sleep or everyday activities.

Seek prompt medical evaluation for significant trauma, progressive weakness, bowel or bladder changes, numbness in the saddle/groin area, fever with significant back pain, unexplained weight loss, or other concerning symptoms.

The Bottom Line

With stubborn back problems, where you hurt is important — but it may not tell the entire story.

When the same problem keeps returning, sometimes the most useful thing we can do is stop repeatedly treating it as a brand-new episode and ask:

Why does this particular problem keep happening?

I'm Dr. Scott Stiffey at Pro Active Chiropractic Center in Palmyra, Missouri.

I focus on helping people with stubborn muscle, joint and spine problems find conservative options when previous approaches haven't provided the results they were hoping for.

If your back problem keeps coming back, contact our office or schedule an evaluation online.

7. FAQ Section

Why does my lower back pain keep coming back?

Recurring back pain can have many causes, including incomplete recovery, repeated physical stress, joint mobility problems, muscle weakness or compensation, disc problems, nerve irritation, or activities that continue aggravating the area.

Why does my back feel better and then hurt again?

Symptoms can improve before the tissues or movement patterns contributing to the problem have completely recovered. Returning to normal activities too quickly can sometimes irritate the area again.

Can sitting cause recurring lower back pain?

Long periods of sitting may aggravate some back conditions, particularly if someone rarely changes position or already has a sensitive back.

Can a weak core cause back pain?

Core strength may be one factor, but recurring back problems are rarely explained by a single muscle group. Hip strength, spinal mobility, activity level and movement patterns can also matter.

How do I know if my back pain involves a nerve?

Pain traveling down the leg, numbness, tingling or weakness can indicate nerve involvement, although an examination is needed to determine the cause.

When should I see someone about recurring back pain?

If the same problem continues returning, has lasted several weeks, limits normal activities, or includes leg symptoms, it may be worth getting evaluated.

Can chiropractic care help recurring back pain?

Some people with mechanical back problems may benefit from chiropractic care. The appropriate treatment depends on the cause of the symptoms and findings from an examination.

Do I need an X-ray or MRI for recurring back pain?

Not everyone needs imaging. Imaging may be considered depending on your history, examination findings, duration of symptoms, trauma or neurological findings.

Pro Active Chiropractic

219 S. Main St

Palmyra, MO

573-769-2400

Dr. Scott Stiffey