Low back pain can be caused by trauma (injuries), arthritic disease, disc problems, and bone disease.
But what if none of these applies to you, and you have recurring lower back pain?
One of the things I noticed over the years is that “uneven leg lengths” can promote recurring low back pain. The term needs clarification, because everyone’s leg length should be the same (unless you had a leg injury). The more accurate term is having an “apparent short leg” while lying down straight.
Do this (get your housemate to help first): Take off your shoes and lie down on your carpet, straight. An imaginary straight line should pass between your eyes, through your navel, and split your legs evenly. Have your housemate touch your heels together: are they lined up evenly at the bottom, or are they uneven? If they are uneven, the “higher” heel refers to the apparent short leg. Such a discrepancy usually means that your pelvis is tilted to one side as it rests on top of your legs when you stand.
If your pelvis is crooked, it forces your lower back to bend sideways to remain upright. This can be a source for lower back pain.
If you’ve ever fell hard on your seat, were in a car accident or had a sports injury in your life (even during childhood), these are the types of events that can cause your pelvis to tilt to one side, which leads to lower back pain.
If you feel this applies to you, make sure to get checked: a course of spinal adjustments can help reduce the imbalance, and custom-made shoe orthotics with a small heel lift can be very helpful.
Till next time,
Dan Perez, DC
(415) 627-9077
