Why Does My Back Feel Stiff
                     WHY DOES MY 
BACK FEEL 
STIFF
http://www.virtualphysicaltherapists.com/
THE CAUSE OF 
BACK STIFFNESS:
A spinal segment in your low back 
consists of an upper and lower 
vertebra and disc in between.  The 
disc acts as a cushion to absorb 
shock.  A mechanical problem 
happens when there is a disruption in 
the joint mechanics, causing a 
reduction in motion or at times 
hypermobility.  Loss of mobility and 
feeling of “stiffness”, usually proceeds 
pain.
The disc consists of an outer layer called the annulus, and a gel-like inner substance 
called the nucleus.  The nucleus consists mostly of water.  It moves back and forth 
and side to side with pressure, to assist in shock absorption. Similar to a jelly 
doughnut, if you push on the front, the jelly moves to the back and vice versa. The 
problem only arises when the disc sustains the same stress over an extended period 
withot relief. Over time this will cause the annulus to break down, allowing the gel 
material to move a little further.
The disc does not have nerve 
innervation until the very outer layer.  
Similar to tear your fingernail; there is 
no pain until it reaches the nailbed.  The 
stiffness that you feel, along with the 
inability to straighten up after 
prolonged sitting is a displacement of 
the disc material.  It is only after you 
take a few steps that you can straighten 
because the movement of walking 
displaces the disc material back to the 
center.
If the same posture is maintained, over time it will cause a break down in the 
annulus will slowly occur.  Stiffness is the first symptom because a buildup of disc 
nucleus material has been disrupted posteriorly in the joint.  Stiffness is reduced 
after walking or taking a few steps because the walking movement pushes the 
nucleus material back to the center.
Continued sustained slouched posture will cause further annular tearing until 
finally one simple sneeze or merely picking up a piece of paper will send starts!
BACK STIFFNESS 
PREVENTION IS 
SIMPLE!
Slouch posture is not a bad thing, just 
like turning your head to the left.  But 
if you keep your head turned your 
head to the left for 8 hour  – you will 
create a neck problem.  Similarly, 
keeping your back in a slouched 
posture sitting 8 hrs at work, driving 
home watching tv and then sleeping 
at night, day after day year after year, 
you wonder why it took so long to 
become a problem?!
All you have to is move in the 
opposite direction.
All you have to is move in the opposite direction.
VIRTUAL 
PHYSICAL 
THERAPISTS
[email protected]
HTTP://WWW.VIRTUALPHYSICALTHERAPISTS.COM/
8