Low Back Pain from Overuse vs Overstretching
- caulocare
- 6 hours ago
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Low Back Pain Caused by Overuse vs Over–Range of Motion
An Integrated Western & TCM Perspective
By Dr. Phumlarp Caulo at Caulo Care Acupuncture – Forest Hills, New York (Feb 22, 2026)
Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in modern society.
It frequently develops from two primary mechanical mechanisms: repetitive overuse or movement beyond anatomical limits (over–range of motion). Although both conditions produce pain, their underlying anatomy, physiology, and progression differ significantly. Understanding these mechanisms allows for targeted treatment and effective prevention.
Western Medicine Perspective: Anatomy & Pathophysiology
Overuse Injury (Cumulative Mechanical Load)
Overuse occurs when spinal tissues are exposed to repeated submaximal loading without adequate recovery time. It is not caused by a single traumatic event, but by accumulated microtrauma.
The lumbar spine relies on coordinated interaction between:
Paraspinal muscles
Multifidus
Erector spinae
Quadratus lumborum
Thoracolumbar fascia
Intervertebral discs
Posterior spinal ligaments
With repetitive strain—such as prolonged sitting, repetitive lifting, or improper gym training—small microscopic tears develop in muscle fibers and connective tissue. These microinjuries trigger the inflammatory cascade, including prostaglandins and cytokines. As inflammation increases, local muscle guarding occurs. Reduced microcirculation follows, leading to ischemia and further sensitization of pain receptors.
This creates the classic pain–spasm–pain cycle.
Clinically, overuse presents as gradual onset, dull aching discomfort, stiffness (especially in the morning), and worsening symptoms toward the end of the day. Rest often improves symptoms because the primary issue is cumulative tissue overload rather than structural rupture.
Over–Range of Motion (Acute Mechanical Overload)
Over–range injuries occur when spinal movement exceeds physiological limits.
This is typically sudden and mechanical.
High-risk patterns include:
Hyperflexion
Hyperextension
Excessive rotation
Combined flexion with rotation
When structural tolerance is exceeded, several events may occur:
Ligament strain or tearing
Facet joint compression
Annulus fibrosus stress
Disc bulge or herniation
Reflex muscle spasm
In this scenario, tissue failure threshold is crossed abruptly. The inflammatory response activates immediately, and surrounding muscles contract defensively to protect the injured area. Symptoms are usually sharp, localized, and acute. Movement becomes limited. If nerve roots are compressed, radiating pain, numbness, or weakness may occur.
Biomechanics: Why the Spine Fails
The lumbar spine absorbs three major forces:
Compression
Shear
Torsion
Injury occurs when:
Load exceeds tissue recovery capacity (Overuse), or
Movement exceeds structural tolerance (Over–Range)
When tissues cannot adapt or stabilize adequately, inflammation and neuromuscular guarding develop, leading to persistent pain. Importantly, not all back pain is caused by
a disc problem. Frequently, the root cause includes:
Core instability
Gluteal weakness
Hip mobility restriction
Motor control dysfunction
Postural imbalance
In many cases, the spine compensates for dysfunction originating in the hips or pelvis.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective
From a TCM standpoint, low back pain may arise from:
Qi and Blood Stagnation (acute injury, sharp pain)
Kidney Qi or Kidney Yang deficiency (chronic weakness, dull aching pain)
Cold-Damp invasion (heaviness, stiffness)
Overuse corresponds to chronic Qi and Blood stagnation with underlying deficiency.Over–range injuries resemble acute stagnation due to trauma obstructing meridian flow.
Pain, in TCM theory, results from obstruction:
“Where there is blockage, there is pain.”
Restoring circulation of Qi and Blood is essential for recovery.
What Should and Should Not Be Done
When Pain Occurs:
Should:
Modify activity immediately
Use gentle mobility exercises
Apply appropriate heat (chronic) or cold (acute inflammation phase)
Begin controlled core stabilization
Address ergonomics
Should Not:
Continue loading through severe pain
Force aggressive stretching in acute injury
Ignore radiating symptoms
Self-manipulate excessively
Prevention Strategy
Maintain core stability and glute strength
Improve hip mobility
Avoid prolonged static posture
Train proper lifting mechanics
Allow adequate recovery between physical stress
Maintain balanced spinal loading
Prevention is not about avoiding movement—it is about optimizing load management and movement quality.
How Acupuncture at Caulo Care Helps
At Caulo Care Acupuncture in Forest Hills, we approach low back pain through an integrative lens combining Western biomechanics and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Acupuncture helps by:
Reducing local inflammation
Increasing microcirculation
Releasing protective muscle spasm
Modulating the nervous system to decrease pain signaling
Restoring Qi and Blood flow along affected meridians
Supporting deep muscular stabilization (including multifidus activation)
Unlike passive rest alone, acupuncture actively promotes tissue recovery and neuromuscular regulation. For chronic overuse injuries, acupuncture improves circulation and prevents stagnation from becoming structural degeneration.For acute mechanical injuries, it reduces pain, relaxes guarding muscles, and accelerates healing.
Final Summary
Low back pain develops when:
Mechanical load exceeds tissue recovery capacity
Movement exceeds anatomical tolerance
Both pathways lead to: Inflammation + Muscle Guarding + Neural Sensitization → Pain
From a Western perspective, it is a mechanical and inflammatory process.
From a TCM perspective, it is stagnation and imbalance within the meridian system.
Early intervention prevents chronic dysfunction.
If you are experiencing low back pain—whether from overuse, gym strain, prolonged sitting, or sudden injury—acupuncture at Caulo Care Acupuncture offers a safe, evidence-informed approach to reduce pain and restore function. Relieving pain is not just about masking symptoms.It is about restoring balance, circulation, and structural harmony.
Schedule your acupuncture session at Caulo Care in Forest Hills, New York, and begin your recovery today.
This information is only educational and should not be construed as medical advice.
Everything must be balanced, and the suggestions may not apply to you.
A specialist doctor should be consulted for any medical advice or diagnosis.
Acupuncture near me at Forest Hill, NY
🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷
Dr. Phumlarp Caulo LA,c, MAc. OM, DAHM
Doctor of Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine
Caulo Care Acupuncture
🔖 By appointment only
☎️+1 (929) 269-4549
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