Patients who present with central low back pain, especially if the lumbar curve is accentuated, often exhibit compression between the sacrum and the 5th, or lowest, lumbar vertebra.
The patient will often say they “just can’t get comfortable,” even in bed. Sometimes pulling the knees to the chest is relieving, but standing, as well as sitting, cause worsening of the pain.
I relieve the compression by appropriately-vectored adjustments with the Activator instrument, and give the patient stretches & exercises.
Ergonomic counseling for correct sitting & standing postures is helpful to prevent recurrence of the compression.
