Understanding "Non-Specific Low Back Pain"

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a doctor, chiropractor, or a physical therapist. For most 90% of people, the official label they get is the term “non-specific low back pain.” At first, this can sound vague or even dismissive. We completely understand why getting this diagnosis could be frustrating and not helpful in understanding why someone is experiencing pain. However, it’s actually good news. 

 

Why Most Back Pain Isn’t Structural

When people hurt, they often assume something must be “wrong” structurally. Whether it’s tissue damage like a sprain or strain, a pinched nerve, or a vertebrae “slipping out of place.” The term “Non-Specific Low Back Pain” means there isn’t a single structural cause identified to explain where the pain is coming from. This is the case for 90% of people with low back pain. It can come from any structure of the spine (muscles, ligaments, discs, nerves, etc.) or any combination of them. There are very few tests that are reliable at accurately identifying where the pain is coming. 

What’s important is how the pain responds to treatment and that you continue to be active until symptoms calm down. The vast majority of the time, the pain can be treated without ever figuring out what structure is actually irritated. This is why pinpointing one structure rarely matters. 

 

There are certainly scenarios where someone with low back pain doesn’t fall under the umbrella of “non specific,” and further testing and imaging are necessary. Especially in the presence of one or more red flag symptoms.

 

What To Do If You’re Experiencing Red Flag Symptoms

1. Stop and Pay Attention to Your Symptoms

If you notice any of the following red flag symptoms:

• Numbness, shooting pain, weakness in both legs
• Change in sensation around the genital region
• Difficulty controlling bowel/bladder
• Nausea or fever with back pain
• Unsteadiness or balance problems
• Unexplained weight loss
• Severe pain following a major fall, accident, or trauma
• Unrelenting pain that doesn’t get better or worse with movement
• Pain at night that prevents you from sleeping

Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either. These symptoms need a closer look.

 

2. Avoid Pushing Through the Pain

Red flag symptoms are different from normal soreness or stiffness. If something feels unfamiliar and significantly “off’ or different, stop the activity that triggers it and avoid pushing through discomfort until you’ve been evaluated.

 

3. Call Your Preferred Healthcare Provider Right Away

Reach out to your trusted primary care provider, physical therapist, chiropractor, or urgent care. 

Tell them:

• Exactly what symptoms you’re experiencing
• When they started
• Whether they’re getting better, worse, or staying the same

This helps the clinician decide how quickly you should be evaluated, what type of exam is appropriate, and your next best steps moving forward.

 

4. Seek Immediate Emergency Care If Symptoms are Severe

If symptoms are sudden, intense, or rapidly worsening, especially if you’re having bowel and/or bladder changes or leg weakness, go to the ER or call 911. These situations are rare, but acting quickly ensures you get the right care.  

 

5. Remember: Red Flags Don’t Always Mean Something Serious

Even if you have a red flag symptom, it doesn’t automatically mean something dangerous is happening. Many of these issues have treatable causes. The real purpose of understanding red flag symptoms is to make sure you get:

• The right tests
• The right diagnosis
• The right treatment as quickly as possible

Getting evaluated early puts you in the best position for a smooth recovery. 

 

6. Follow Up With a Movement Specialist

Once any serious condition is ruled out, it’s important to get back to gentle movement and a guided rehab plan to help you recover and prevent future problems down the road. 

 

What Functional Issues Actually Drive Non Specific Low Back Pain

If it’s usually not a structural problem, what actually causes the pain you feel?

Most non-specific back pain is driven by functional issues, meaning how your body is moving, loading, responding, or recovering… not by structural damage.

 

Common functional contributors include:

Deconditioned or overworked muscles

Back, hip, and/or core muscles that are fatigued or not coordinating well can become sensitive and over-protective.

 

Stiffness or mobility limitations

Restriction in the hips, mid-back, and/or lumbar spine cause the low back tissues to work overtime and become sensitive.

 

Load intolerance

Your tissues may be irritated simply because they were asked to handle a load or movement they weren’t prepared for: doing too much too soon, after doing too little for too long. (e.g., prolonged sitting, a new workout, lifting something heavy or awkwardly). 

 

Stress and sleep changes

Your nervous system can become more protective when you’re fatigued, overwhelmed, or under-recovered

 

Lifestyle habits

Prolonged sitting, sudden spikes in activity, repetitive movement patterns, overall lack of movement variability can all sensitize tissues.

None of these represent structural injury. They’re functional, modifiable, and respond extremely well to the right rehab plan!

 

Why This Is Good News

When pain feels sharp, strong, or persistent, it’s normal to fear the worst. But here’s the encouraging part:

Functional problems can be fixed.

When your pain is driven by how your body moves, loads, and recovers:

• You don’t need to rely on lifelong medication
• You don’t need to fear your MRI results
• You don’t need to “rest forever” or limit your life
• You can build strength, mobility, endurance, and confidence
• You can return to all the things you enjoy

Non-specific low back doesn’t mean “we don’t know what’s wrong.” 

It means your spine is strong, your pain is real, and the solution lies in improving function, not chasing a scary diagnosis.

 

Ready to Start Feeling Better?

If you’re dealing with low back pain and want clarity, confidence, and a plan tailored to you:

 

Click here to book a FREE Discovery Visit

We’ll listen to your story, assess how your body is moving, identify the functional drivers of your pain, and map out a plan to get you back to feeling strong and doing the things you love

 

Your back is not broken.

You’re not fragile.

And you can get better with the right guidance.