Why are you working my belly when my low back hurts?

Clients often ask why I focus on their abdomen and hip flexors when their low back is the source of pain. The answer lies in understanding the fascia—the connective tissue that affects how our bodies function. Pain in one area often stems from tension and imbalance elsewhere.

Extended periods of sitting and hip flexion cause muscles in the abdomen to shorten chronically. This affects the low back, which strains to maintain upright posture. Despite efforts to relieve pain with work on the back muscles like erectors and trapezius, lasting relief requires addressing the anterior muscles.

Key contributors to low back pain include the psoas, iliacus, transversus abdominis, glutes, IT bands, tensor fasciae latte, quadriceps, and adductors. These muscles adapt to prolonged sitting, stress, and poor posture, creating a chain reaction of discomfort.

As Ida Rolf famously said, "Where you think it is, it ain't." Fascia envelops and influences body structures along lines of stress, thickening under strain. Thus, while low back pain is felt prominently, its origins often lie in shortened, strained muscles at the front of the body.

Understanding pain types—referred and radiating—reveals how symptoms manifest from underlying issues. Soft tissue bodywork, especially fascial techniques, addresses these patterns, releasing tension and restoring balance. By recognizing daily habits impacting the nervous system, skilled bodyworkers help unravel complex pain puzzles.

Take the first step towards relief by exploring fascially-based bodywork, unlocking tight tissues and improving overall function. Your bodywork journey begins with understanding and unwinding these patterns.