Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek support for their body. While many factors can contribute, this page offers a perspective through the lens of fascia—drawing on current research and clinical experience. By considering the role of connective tissue, movement patterns, and nervous system responses, we can begin to understand the many layers that might influence pain and function—and how meaningful change can occur.
Is It a Disc Problem?
​Low back pain is incredibly common—but so are misunderstandings about what causes it. A common myth is that pain always means something serious is wrong with your spine, like a “slipped disc” or a “pinched nerve.” 

While disc-related issues can certainly cause pain, research shows that disc issues are common as we age, and not all disc bulges on imaging findings are painful.  Conversely, many people with back pain don’t show clear structural damage on scans (visit this page to learn more about your spine's structure and how it changes as we age).

Pain can reflect how the body is handling load, balance, and stress. It’s often a complex experience, influenced not just by the spine itself, but by the surrounding layers—muscles, fascia, connective tissue, and the nervous system. Understanding it fully sometimes means zooming out from a single structure to see how the whole body is working together.
💬 Note: While most low back pain improves without invasive treatment, there are certain symptoms that may indicate a more serious issue and require medical attention. These include loss of bowel or bladder control, progressive weakness, unrelenting or worsening night pain, significant trauma, or pain accompanied by numbness, tingling, or shooting pain down the leg. If any of these are present, or you have any concerns, it’s a good idea to check in with your GP.
The Lumbar Region: A Layered System
Your lower back isn’t just bones and discs—it’s a complex, layered system. Fascia, muscles, nerves, and joints are organized in sheets and envelopes that are meant to glide, coordinate, and share load to support movement and stability.

Unlike the upper back, the lumbar spine doesn’t have the added support of the rib cage—so it relies more heavily on the surrounding muscles and connective tissues for stability and protection. That makes it especially sensitive to how well those tissues are functioning.
Source: Musculoskeletal Key
Thoracolumbar Fascia Layers (in blue) which compartmentalizes muscles.
​These fascial layers are highly innervated and sensitive to load, stretch, and pressure. When they lose their ability to move freely—due to injury, inflammation, prolonged tension, or lack of movement—they can become sticky, dense, or compressed creating discomfort or pain.

​But fascia isn’t fixed. It’s living, responsive tissue that adapts to how we move, breathe, and interact with the world. Research shows that fascia can regain glide, hydration, and elasticity in response to things like movement and manual therapy.

Most of us were taught to think about movement mainly in terms of muscles—tightening, strengthening, or stretching them like isolated bands. While this can be useful, it often misses the bigger picture. Fascia invites us to imagine movement differently: not just as a muscle pulling, but as whole layers gliding, tissues spreading tension, and networks adapting together. This shift in perspective can change how you relate to your body—making movement feel more integrated, fluid, and connected.​
Working with Pain and the Nervous System
Pain isn’t always a sign that something is torn or out of place. Sometimes it’s the nervous system responding to threat—real or remembered—and asking for clarity or safety. It can also be the body’s way of signaling that a certain movement or activity is creating irritation, even if it’s subtle.
​
Manual therapy gives the body direct input—pressure, stretch, warmth, engagement, or stillness—that can help down-regulate sensitivity and restore a sense of safety. This is especially useful because recent research shows pain in the lower back is more likely to be coming from the fascia due to how innervated it is (much more so then muscles for example). Informed movement adds another layer: it reinforces safer patterns and helps rebuild the nervous system’s trust in motion.
Pain can also be a guide—not a perfect one, but a teacher. It helps us notice which postures, loads, or habits might be irritating tissues, and which ones support healing. That’s why finding and reinforcing pain-free movement is such a powerful tool. It helps calm the system and gives irritated tissues the space they need to recover.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This page is here to support—not replace—medical advice. If you're experiencing intense, unusual, or worsening symptoms, it's a good idea to check in with your GP.

🩺 For Referrers:
We’re always happy to collaborate with referring providers. Feel free to get in touch to discuss an approach or referral.
Further Info:

Articles & Research
Compiled by Joe Liguori