How Movement Helps Relieve Low Back Pain

As a physical therapist, I’ve seen many patients who struggle with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). This type of pain is common and can be frustrating because it isn’t linked to any specific injury or condition. However, there’s good news: movement and exercise are powerful tools in relieving this pain. Let’s dive into why.

A recent study highlights that one of the ways exercise helps reduce low back pain is by calming down inflammation and oxidative stress—two major causes of pain. When we’re in pain, our body often responds with inflammation. This is where a protein called Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) comes in. It plays a big role in activating our immune system's inflammatory response.

The research found that exercise reduces the activity of TLR4, which helps lower the inflammation in the lower back. How? Through a key protein called SIRT1. When we move and exercise, SIRT1 is activated, and it works to turn off the body's excessive inflammatory response and reduce oxidative stress—both of which contribute to pain.

By lowering inflammation and oxidative stress, exercise can effectively decrease low back pain. This is why movement is so important. Regular physical activity doesn’t just make us feel good in the moment—it has a biological impact on the body’s pain pathways, helping to prevent and relieve discomfort.

For those dealing with chronic low back pain, it might be tempting to rest and avoid movement, but the opposite is true: exercise is key to feeling better. With the right exercises that focus on strengthening and flexibility, we can improve our body’s natural ability to heal and manage pain. So, keep moving—it’s one of the best ways to fight back against pain and get back to enjoying life!

If you're unsure where to start, we can guide you through exercises tailored to your needs. We're here to help you move better, feel stronger, and live pain-free!

This information is based on a study that explored how exercise helps reduce low back pain by decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress through the activation of SIRT1 and modulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) (Wang et al., 2023).

Reference
Wang, J., Zhang, Z., Lu, M., Yang, F., & Li, S. (2023). SIRT1-related inhibition of pro-inflammatory responses and oxidative stress are involved in the mechanism of nonspecific low back pain relief after exercise through modulation of Toll-like receptor 4. Journal of Pain Research, 16, 345-357.