If you've noticed that your low back hurts when you walk or stand, you're not alone. Give us a call, we can help! This type of pain can often be traced back to an old or untreated lumbar disc injury. What happens in many cases is that this initial disc injury, if left unaddressed, can lead to a chain reaction within the spine, particularly affecting the facet joints. These changes are responsible for the pain you now feel when walking or standing.

Let’s take a closer look at why this happens and what you can do about it.

The Role of Lumbar Discs and Facet Joints

Under normal conditions, the lumbar discs in your spine are designed to be the primary weight-bearing structures in the lower back. These discs provide cushion and support, absorbing the impact from activities like walking, lifting, or standing. The facet joints, on the other hand, are non-weight-bearing and are responsible for allowing smooth movement between the vertebrae. They are not meant to carry significant loads.

When a lumbar disc becomes injured—whether from a sudden injury or gradual wear and tear—it can create a biomechanical shift in the spine. Instead of the lumbar discs continuing to bear the weight, the facet joints begin to take on some of that load. This improper load bearing on the facet joints is where the trouble begins.

Facet Hypertrophy and Its Impact

Once the facet joints start bearing weight, they respond by becoming larger in a process called facet hypertrophy. Facet hypertrophy is essentially an overgrowth of the joints caused by the increased stress they experience. While this may be the body’s way of trying to adapt to the extra load, it also leads to increased stiffness and discomfort in the lower back, especially when you stand or walk for extended periods.

Over time, the shift from the discs to the facet joints can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and an increased likelihood of further injury if not treated properly. This is often why standing for long periods or walking can trigger low back pain—because the facet joints, which aren’t meant to bear weight, are now overloaded and inflamed.

Chiropractic Treatment for Facet Joint Pain

One of the most effective ways to address this issue is through chiropractic care. A chiropractor in Olathe can help restore proper motion to the lumbar spine through chiropractic adjustments. These adjustments can relieve stress on the facet joints by realigning the spine, allowing the discs to resume their proper role as the primary weight-bearing structures.

Restoring proper alignment is essential not only for relieving pain but also for preventing further damage to the spine. Chiropractic adjustments improve the movement between the vertebrae and reduce the pressure on the facet joints, allowing them to heal and function as intended.

Non-Invasive Spinal Decompression

In addition to chiropractic adjustments, non-invasive spinal decompression therapy can also be an effective treatment option. This therapy works by gently stretching the spine, which helps alleviate pressure on the lumbar discs. By restoring disc health, spinal decompression can reduce the load on the facet joints and help reverse some of the biomechanical changes that contribute to facet hypertrophy.

Non-invasive spinal decompression offers a long-term solution by addressing the root cause of the pain: the disc injury. By reducing pressure on the discs and helping them heal, this therapy can restore balance to the spine and relieve the facet joints from their improper weight-bearing role.

Conclusion

If you’re experiencing low back pain when you walk or stand, it could be due to a biomechanical shift in your spine, where the facet joints have taken on too much weight-bearing responsibility. This is often the result of an untreated disc injury, leading to facet hypertrophy and chronic discomfort.

Fortunately, treatments like chiropractic adjustments and non-invasive spinal decompression are available to address these issues at their core. By restoring proper alignment and disc health, you can relieve the stress on your facet joints and return to a pain-free, active life.

If you're in Olathe and dealing with this kind of pain, consult a chiropractor to explore these treatment options and take the first step toward healing.