Why Your Lower Back “Keeps Going Out” — And How to Fix It

By Dr. Charley Fisher, DC

Why Does My Lower Back Keep Going Out?

One of the most common things patients say is:

“My lower back just keeps going out.”

It might happen when you bend down to tie your shoe, pick something up, or twist the wrong way at the gym. Suddenly your back tightens up and it feels like something slipped or shifted.

But in most cases, your back didn’t actually “go out.” What’s happening is usually a movement and stability problem that has been building over time.

The Real Reason Your Back Keeps Flaring Up

The lower back is often not the true source of the problem.

The spine is designed to move, but it also depends on surrounding joints and muscles to distribute force properly. When other areas of the body lose mobility or stability, the lower back often has to compensate.

Common contributors include:

• limited hip mobility
• poor core stability
• restricted ankle movement
• repetitive movement patterns
• improper lifting mechanics

When these problems accumulate, the lower back can become overloaded and eventually go into protective spasm.

That’s the moment people describe as their back “going out.”

Why Rest Alone Doesn’t Fix It

When your back flares up, the natural reaction is to rest completely until the pain settles down.

While short-term rest can reduce irritation, it rarely fixes the underlying movement issue that caused the flare-up in the first place.

Without addressing the root cause, the cycle often repeats:

pain → rest → temporary relief → pain again

This is why some people feel like their back goes out every few months or every year.

The Importance of Movement and Stability

Long-term relief usually comes from improving how the body moves and stabilizes the spine.

Key areas often include:

• strengthening the core and glutes
• restoring hip mobility
• improving movement mechanics
• addressing restricted joints

When the surrounding joints and muscles function properly, the lower back doesn’t need to compensate as much.

This reduces the likelihood of recurring flare-ups.

Chiropractic Care and Back Pain

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper joint motion and improving how the body moves as a whole.

At Fisher Chiropractic Sports Performance in Los Angeles, treatment often includes:

• chiropractic adjustments
• extremity adjustments
• soft tissue therapy
• movement assessment
• performance-based rehabilitation

The goal is not just to relieve pain, but to restore normal movement patterns so the problem is less likely to return.

Recovery Tools That Support Healing

Improving movement and stability is the most important long-term solution for recurring lower back pain. But certain therapies can also help support the healing process and accelerate recovery when tissues are irritated or injured.

Two therapies that are increasingly used in sports medicine are shockwave therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate tissue repair and improve circulation in injured areas. It is commonly used for stubborn musculoskeletal conditions and can help support recovery by:

• stimulating blood flow
• encouraging tissue regeneration
• reducing chronic inflammation
• improving mobility in injured tissues

Shockwave therapy is frequently used for conditions like tendon injuries, muscle strains, and chronic soft tissue pain.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works differently. During an HBOT session, a person breathes oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. This increases the amount of oxygen delivered through the bloodstream, which may help support:

• tissue repair
• circulation
• inflammation control
• recovery from intense training or injury

Many professional athletes incorporate hyperbaric therapy as part of their recovery routine.

A Performance-Based Approach to Recovery

At Fisher Chiropractic Sports Performance in Los Angeles, we combine movement assessment with advanced recovery therapies to help patients recover more effectively.

Treatment may include:

• chiropractic adjustments
• extremity adjustments
• soft tissue therapy
• shockwave therapy
• hyperbaric oxygen therapy

The goal is not just to relieve pain temporarily, but to restore proper movement and support long-term recovery.

What Does the Research Say?

Research on spinal health shows that stability and motor control play a major role in preventing lower back pain.

Studies by Hodges and Richardson 1996 core stability study demonstrated that deep core muscles activate to stabilize the spine before movement.

Additionally, work by McGill spine stability research highlights the importance of proper movement patterns and load management in preventing recurring back issues.

The Bottom Line

If your lower back keeps “going out,” it’s usually a sign that something in your movement system needs attention.

Addressing mobility, strength, and joint function can help break the cycle of recurring back pain.

The goal isn’t just temporary relief — it’s building a body that moves and performs better long-term.