Explained by Chatswood’s Most Experienced Chiropractor

By Dr. Brett | Family Chiropractic Chatswood | Serving Chatswood & Sydney’s North Shore for 30 Years

Lower back pain is the number one reason people in Chatswood visit a chiropractor — and one of the top three causes of disability in Australia. If you’ve been dealing with it, you’re not alone. But you’re also not stuck with it.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Here, I explain the five most common causes of lower back pain that I see every week after 30+ years in practice. In Part 2, I walk through exactly how we treat each one at Family Chiropractic Chatswood.

Who Is Dr. Brett — and Why Does Experience Matter?

• Longest-serving chiropractor in Chatswood — 30 years in Chatswood at the same practice
• Family Chiropractic Chatswood is a multi-award-winning, boutique family practice
• National Activator Technique Instructor — Dr. Brett trains and educates other chiropractors across Australia, not just uses the technique
• Active board member and contributor to chiropractic research and education at a national level
• Mentor to chiropractors and speaker and presenter within the profession
• Complimentary initial consultation — if chiropractic isn’t right for you, there is no charge. No obligation.

We’re located in the heart of Chatswood, and we serve patients from across the North Shore — Artarmon, Willoughby, Lane Cove, Roseville, Lindfield, Gordon, Pymble, St Leonards and beyond.

Why Is the Lower Back So Vulnerable?

The lumbar spine carries the weight of your entire upper body, serves as the pivot point for almost every movement you make, and protects the nerve roots that feed your legs and organs. That combination of load, mobility, and neurological importance makes it a common site for dysfunction and pain.

Here are the five causes I see most often:

1. Spinal Joint Dysfunction (Subluxation)

One of the most common causes we see — and often the most overlooked. A subluxation describes a joint in the lumbar spine that has lost its normal range of motion or alignment. Common drivers:

• Prolonged sitting — the biggest issue for desk workers, students, and commuters across Chatswood and the North Shore
• Old injuries that were never properly resolved
• Repetitive one-sided movements
• Poor sleep posture over time

What makes this particularly tricky: it can be silent for months or years. The surrounding muscles compensate, the joint quietly stiffens — and then one small trigger sends the whole system into pain. This is the cause that responds most directly and predictably to chiropractic care.

2. Muscle Strain and Ligament Sprain

The most common acute cause of lower back pain. Happens when:

• Lifting something heavy with poor technique
• A sudden awkward twist or movement
• Sleeping in an unsupported position
• Overexertion during sport or physical activity

Symptoms include sharp pain on movement, muscle spasm, and stiffness that is worst after rest. The mistake most people make is waiting for it to settle and then returning to normal — without fixing what caused it. Without addressing the underlying joint mechanics, it keeps coming back.

3. Disc Issues — Bulging Disc and Degeneration

The discs between your vertebrae are shock absorbers. Two main disc problems cause lower back pain:

• Disc bulge (herniation): The disc pushes outward and can press on a nerve root, causing local pain or sciatica — pain, numbness, or tingling into the buttock and leg
• Disc degeneration: The disc loses height and hydration over time, narrowing the space through which nerves exit the spine

Important to know: disc findings on MRI are extremely common even in people with NO pain. The question is always whether the disc is actually contributing to your symptoms — which is why a thorough clinical assessment matters.

4. Postural Stress — The Modern Epidemic

This is now the most common cause I see in patients under 40. The lifestyle of Chatswood and the North Shore — long desk hours, school bags, commutes, screen time — creates a cumulative load on the lumbar spine. Over time:

• Hip flexors adaptively shorten
• Core stabiliser muscles weaken
• Anterior pelvic tilt (swayback) develops
• Lumbar joints restrict and discs load unevenly

The insidious thing about postural stress is that it builds slowly, painlessly — until it doesn’t. Then a simple movement triggers disproportionate pain.

5. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The SI joints connect the base of your spine (sacrum) to the pelvis. When they restrict or inflame, they produce a deep, often one-sided ache in the lower back and buttock. Frequently mistaken for a disc problem or hip issue. Common triggers:

• Pregnancy (relaxin hormone loosens ligaments)
• Leg length discrepancy
• Asymmetric sports (tennis, golf, rowing)
• A fall or direct impact to the pelvis

SIJ dysfunction often responds quickly with the right assessment and targeted treatment — which is why accurate diagnosis matters so much.

What’s Next — Part 2

Now you know the five most common causes. But which one is causing YOUR pain — and what does treatment actually look like?

In Part 2 of this series, I walk through exactly how we assess and treat each of these causes at Family Chiropractic Chatswood — including how the Activator Method works and what you can expect at your first visit.

👉 [Link to Part 2 — insert once published]

In the meantime, if you’re dealing with lower back pain right now and you want clarity — come in for a complimentary consultation. We’ll have an honest conversation about whether chiropractic is right for your situation. If it is, we’ll show you a clear path forward. If it isn’t, there is no charge and we’ll point you in the right direction.

📍 Family Chiropractic Chatswood — Chatswood’s longest-standing, multi-award-winning chiropractic practice. Book online or call us today.

About Dr. Brett

Dr. Brett has practised in Chatswood for over 30 years and is the longest-serving chiropractor in the area. He is a nationally accredited Activator Technique Instructor, an active contributor to chiropractic research and education boards, and a mentor and speaker within the profession. Family Chiropractic Chatswood is a multi-award-winning boutique practice serving patients of all ages across the North Shore of Sydney.

Frequently Asked Questions: Lower Back Pain Causes — Chatswood Chiropractor

Q: What causes lower back pain?

A: The most common causes of lower back pain are muscle strain or ligament sprain, spinal joint dysfunction (subluxation), disc bulge or degeneration, postural stress from prolonged sitting and screen use, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Most cases are mechanical in origin and respond well to chiropractic assessment and treatment.

Q: Why does lower back pain keep coming back?

A: Recurring lower back pain usually means the underlying cause — typically restricted spinal joints or ongoing postural stress — has not been fully resolved. Without addressing the root driver, the muscles compensate, the area remains vulnerable, and the cycle continues. A thorough chiropractic assessment can identify and break this pattern.

Q: Can lower back pain be caused by sitting too much?

A: Yes. Prolonged sitting is one of the most significant drivers of lower back pain, particularly in desk workers, students, and commuters. Sitting tightens the hip flexors, weakens core stabilisers, restricts lumbar joints, and loads the discs unevenly. This postural stress accumulates silently until it produces pain.

Q: What does lower back pain on one side mean?

A: One-sided lower back pain is commonly caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction, a disc bulge pressing on a single nerve root, or asymmetric muscle tension from habitual posture or movement patterns. It can also indicate facet joint irritation. A chiropractic examination can identify the specific cause and appropriate treatment.

Q: Is lower back pain serious?

A: Most lower back pain is mechanical — meaning it comes from the muscles, joints, or discs, not from a serious underlying disease. Serious causes are uncommon but include fracture, infection, or referred pain from an internal organ. Red flags that warrant urgent investigation include pain after trauma, unexplained weight loss, fever, or bladder/bowel changes.

Q: How do I know if my lower back pain is from a disc or a muscle?

A: Disc pain often produces a deep, constant ache that may radiate into the buttock or leg (sciatica) and is worsened by sitting or bending forward. Muscle or joint pain is typically more local, worsened by specific movements, and eases with rest. However, overlap is common — a proper chiropractic examination is the most reliable way to differentiate.

Q: Can a chiropractor in Chatswood help with lower back pain?

A: Yes. Family Chiropractic Chatswood has been providing evidence-informed chiropractic care for lower back pain for 30 years. Led by Dr. Brett — a national Activator Technique Instructor and multi-award-winning practitioner — the practice offers a complimentary initial consultation to assess whether chiropractic is appropriate for your specific condition.

Q: What is the fastest way to relieve lower back pain?

A: For acute lower back pain, gentle movement (walking), avoiding prolonged bed rest, and ice or heat application can provide short-term relief. However, for lasting improvement, identifying and treating the underlying mechanical cause — through chiropractic care, exercise, and ergonomic changes — is essential. Consult a chiropractor early rather than waiting for it to become chronic.

Q: Is lower back pain common in Chatswood and the North Shore of Sydney?

A: Yes. Lower back pain is among the most common conditions treated at Family Chiropractic Chatswood. The desk-based working culture, school commutes, and active lifestyles of Chatswood, Artarmon, Willoughby, Lane Cove, Roseville, Lindfield, and Gordon all contribute to the prevalence of both acute and postural lower back pain in the area.

Q: Should I see a chiropractor or a physiotherapist for lower back pain?

A: Both can be effective. Chiropractors specialise in spinal joint function and the nervous system, using hands-on adjustments to restore movement and reduce nerve irritation. Physiotherapists typically focus more on exercise rehabilitation. Many patients benefit from both. At Family Chiropractic Chatswood, we will always refer to another practitioner if a different approach is more appropriate.