Low back pain is one of those things most people expect to deal with at some point — but few realise just how widespread it really is. 🌍 In 2020, over 619 million people worldwide experienced low back pain, and that number is expected to rise to 843 million by 2050. Despite advances in healthcare, low back pain has been the leading cause of years lived with disability globally for more than 30 years. So if your back has ever stopped you from working, exercising, sleeping w

Understanding Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain Around 90% of lower back pain is classified as "non-specific," meaning there's no single injury, fracture or disc problem that fully explains the symptoms. Instead, pain usually develops from a combination of factors, including: Reduced spinal stability Poor movement control Weakness around the trunk and hips Muscle fatigue Stress and nervous system sensitivity Long periods of sitting Repetitive lifting

What Is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis? Lumbar Spinal Stenosis occurs when the spaces within the lower spine narrow, placing pressure on the spinal nerves. Common symptoms include: Lower back pain Burning or aching pain into the legs Numbness or tingling Weakness when walking Difficulty standing for long periods Reduced walking distance Pain relief when sitting or bending forward

What Is Low Level Laser Therapy? Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate cellular repair and healing. Rather than generating heat, the treatment works through a photochemical reaction inside cells. Researchers compare this process to photosynthesis in plants: light energy is absorbed by cells cellular activity increases healing processes may accelerate Studies have shown that wavelengths between 660nm

Chronic Low Back Pain Is Extremely Common Research shows chronic lower back pain affects approximately: 20% of people worldwide One of the leading causes of disability globally Millions of Australians every year Risk factors include: Physically demanding jobs Poor posture Disc injuries Obesity Smoking Sedentary lifestyles Repetitive lifting Prolonged sitting

How common is low back pain? The research highlights just how widespread the problem is: 60–80% of people experience low back pain at some point in life Up to 30% of acute cases become chronic Only about 5% are due to nerve root compression (true radicular pain) The majority are non-specific low back pain This makes LBP one of the leading causes of: Disability Work absenteeism Healthcare spending

What Is Low Level Laser Therapy? Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), also called photobiomodulation, uses specific wavelengths of red and infrared light to stimulate healing processes in the body. Unlike surgical lasers that cut or burn tissue, LLLT works by: Stimulating cellular energy production (ATP) Reducing inflammation Modulating pain signals Supporting tissue repair and recovery It’s commonly used in chiropractic and allied health settings for: Neck p

Back pain is a puzzle — and one of the trickiest pieces to fit is lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), a condition common in older adults that can make standing, walking, and even everyday tasks feel tough. But guess what? Not all patients respond the same way to conservative care Today, we’re diving into research that shines a light on spinal decompression — especially the minimally invasivekind that’s gaining steam in modern care. Spoiler: it’s not all big knives and long hospital

Spinal Decompression Therapy: What Does the Research Say About the Best Treatment Cycle? At Health Wise Chiropractic, we believe great care starts with good evidence. One question we’re often asked is: “How many spinal decompression sessions do I actually need?” Let’s break down what the research says — and how we apply it safely and sensibly in practice.

Chronic low back pain is one of the most common reasons people walk through our clinic doors — and worldwide, it affects up to 80% of people at some point in their lives. While chiropractic care is well-known for helping relieve pain, researchers are still uncovering how spinal manipulation actually creates those changes inside the body. A new 2025 research study has shed some exciting light on one key area: your proprioception — your body’s built-in “GPS system” that tells

A review of tendon repair mechanisms shows LLLT influences healing through all three biological phases: Inflammation phase Increased VEGF expression improves blood vessel formation Modulates inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 Proliferation phase Increases fibroblast activity Enhances collagen type I and III production

Research shows: more than two-thirds of people experience low back pain during their lifetime approximately 1 in 4 people seek medical care for low back pain within a 6-month period low back pain is considered the leading cause of disability worldwide chronic low back pain accounts for a significant portion of musculoskeletal disability globally The study also noted that: around 3–10% of people with back pain develop chronic symptoms annual medical cost

Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions worldwide, affecting up to 84% of people during their lifetime. Research also shows around 25–78% of patients experience recurring back pain within the first year, while chronic low back pain lasting longer than 12 weeks affects up to 7% of the population.

The Deep Science: What is Spatial Awareness in Your Muscles? Every millisecond, your brain relies on a constant stream of data from millions of microscopic sensors embedded inside your muscles, tendons, and joints. These sensors are called proprioceptors. They tell your brain exactly how much a joint is bent, how fast a muscle is stretching, and where your body parts are relative to each other—even with your eyes closed.

48% of women still experienced low back or pelvic pain four months after giving birth Women who delivered by caesarean section were more than three times more likely to experience persistent pain First-time mothers were 2.4 times more likely to have ongoing pain Women with no history of athletic activity before pregnancy were twice as likely to develop persistent postpartum pain

Key Finding #1: The Multifidus Muscle Was Smaller One of the most significant findings was that participants with chronic low back pain had a significantly smaller multifidus muscle cross-sectional area compared to healthy controls. What Is The Multifidus? The multifidus is one of the deepest stabilising muscles in the spine. Its role is to: Control small spinal movements Support spinal stability Help distribute forces through the lower back Provide feedback

What Is Video Display Terminal (VDT) Syndrome? Video Display Terminal Syndrome refers to a collection of symptoms associated with prolonged use of computers, smartphones, and other digital devices. Research cited in the study found that: Approximately 65.9% of computer users experience musculoskeletal disorders The neck is affected in 38.2% of cases The lower back is affected in 44.4% of cases

What Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome? Myofascial Pain Syndrome is characterised by the presence of: Trigger points (TrPs) Tight bands of muscle known as taut bands (TBs) Local muscle tenderness Referred pain patterns Reduced flexibility and movement Researchers estimate that Myofascial Pain Syndrome may account for between 20% and 93% of chronic musculoskeletal pain presentations, making it on

What Is Hip-Spine Syndrome? Hip-Spine Syndrome describes the overlap between conditions affecting the hip joint and the lumbar spine (lower back). Because the hip and lower back work together during everyday activities such as: Walking Sitting Standing up Bending forward Putting on shoes and socks Lifting objects Problems in one region can create abnormal movement patterns and increased strain in the other.

What Exactly Is PFPS? PFPS occurs when the kneecap doesn’t move smoothly in its groove. This can happen due to: Weak or inhibited quadriceps Poor biomechanics Reduced proprioception (your body’s ability to sense joint position) Changes in muscle control Increased sensitivity in the nerves surrounding the knee Left untreated, PFPS can progress to chondromalacia patellae or even early osteoarthritis—so early intervention matters.