Why Are My Back Muscles Always So Tight?

​Do your back muscles always seem to be tight no matter what you do? 
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If you’re like most people with back muscles that are always tight, you’ve probably tried things like heat, massage and stretching, but nothing seems to work, at least not for very long.  

​So, why are your back muscles always so tight? 

Before I answer this question, I want you to keep in mind that while chronically tight muscles are a common problem for people with back pain, this problem isn’t exclusive just to the back.  Other areas of the body can also have chronically tight muscles, often for very similar reasons. 

So, although I’m going to focus my answer on the back muscles, if you have chronically tight muscles somewhere else this may help explain why.

There are many muscles in the back that could be tight and painful.  This can vary from one person to the next depending on their history and habits, but the most common back muscles that become chronically tight and cause back pain are the muscles that run parallel to the spine.  This is a group of muscles called the “erector spinae”.

The primary job of these erector spinae muscles is to stabilize our spine and keep us upright.  The muscles are made up of several smaller muscles, each spanning across a few spinal vertebrae providing stability from the lower back all the way to the top of the neck. 

When the erector spinae muscles are chronically tight it’s often because of some weakness that has developed in other muscles.  The most common weakness I see that contributes to tight erector spinae muscles and back pain are the large latissimus dorsi, transverse abdominis, gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles. 

These muscles are much larger than the erector spinae muscles and are designed to provide strength, power and support for our daily movements and activities.  When these larger muscles are weak the erector spinae muscles tend to overwork and compensate.  If this goes on for too long without correcting the weakness, the erector spinae muscles become tight “rods of steel” that limit spinal movement and cause back pain.  This can also lead to pain and problems in other areas like the hips and knees.

So the good news here is, if your back muscles or any other muscles in your body are chronically tight, this doesn’t mean you have to live with chronic pain.  Even if it’s been going on for years.  Even if you feel like you’ve “tried everything”.  These muscular imbalances can be identified and corrected with the help of the right specialist. 

And...if you’re looking for the “right specialist” to help you, you’re in luck.  This is exactly what we do!  
  
The potential of the human body is incredible, but please don’t fall victim to any promises of a “quick fix”.  I’ve treated hundreds of people with back pain in my career and when it comes to correcting muscle imbalances, especially those that have developed over months or years, it’s going to take some time.  It will require a little patience, some effort and a certain level of commitment to rebuild your strength and restore normal movement patterns.

But I promise you it will be worth it!

And not just because you will have less pain, or possibly even no pain, but because of what NOT having constant pain means for you and your enjoyment of life.

I’ve seen transformations in my patient's lives that they thought would NEVER be possible.  It’s why I do what I do!  There is no better feeling than watching someone go from not being able to walk from one room to the next and losing all hope, to hearing how much they’ve been enjoying dancing around the house with their grandchildren and doing everything they want to do WITHOUT PAIN. 

You can transform your life too!  A life where you can be as active as you want.  A life where you can enjoy your family and friends and live life on your terms, instead of letting pain dictate what you can and can’t do.

Don't wait any longer!  Take that next step and get some help right now! 

Here's How To Get Our Help
If you’re ready to get help from a physical therapy back pain specialist, just give us a call at 503-744-0046 to schedule or click the link below to fill out a short form and we’ll call you to arrange a time for your Initial Evaluation & Treatment Session.

Click Here To Arrange To See A Back Pain Specialist

If you’re still a little unsure if physical therapy is the right solution for your back pain problem, you may prefer to start with a FREE In-Person Discovery Visit.  This gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have and discover:

• What’s wrong
• What your options are to fix the problem
• How long it might take
• What the cost will be
• How you can speed up the process by doing things at home.

If you would like to take advantage of one of our FREE Discovery Visits, simply click the link below to complete a quick and easy form and we’ll be in touch to arrange a time for your visit.

Click Here To Arrange Your FREE Discovery Visit

There is no obligation!  After your consultation if you decide you want to work with us, great!  We can't wait to see your transformation unfold!  If not, we will try to guide you to the right person to help you. 

To Learn More About Why Your Back Muscles Are Always So Tight
If you want to get even more back pain advice right now, then download our free e-book entitled:
“7 Natural Ways To END Back Pain & Stiffness…Without Needing Pain Pills or Having To Call The Doctor!

This e-book is packed with powerful, but simple strategies that can help alleviate your tight back muscles and get rid of back pain.

Yes! I Want The Free E-BOOK

​You can also check out our other back pain blogs by clicking the link below.
​Click Here To Read More Back Pain Blogs