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Diagnosis Series Ep. 3: The 6 Most Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

Welcome to the first episode in my Diagnosis Series, where I dive deep into the real-world causes of lower back pain—the most common complaint in musculoskeletal practice. In this episode, we’ll explore the six most common mechanical lower back pain diagnoses that I see regularly in clinical work. The goal is to simplify complex presentations and help both patients and clinicians think more clearly when trying to understand why back pain happens. 🔍 Topics covered include: ✅ The importance of ruling out red flags first ✅ Why most cases of LBP are not from a single source ✅ How lifestyle, injury, and systemic factors combine ✅ Core diagnostic categories and their typical signs You’ll learn how to recognise these 6 major causes of lower back pain: Disc herniation/discogenic pain – leg symptoms, stiffness, trouble sitting Facet joint syndrome – pain with twisting, transitional movements Muscle or ligament strain/sprain – overstretch, fatigue, or faulty movement Spondylosis – degenerative arthritis of the spine with reduced mobility Sacroiliac joint dysfunction – sharp pain, instability, often on one side Hypermobility/spinal instability – ligament laxity, poor joint control We also touch on how these categories often overlap in practice, and why diagnostic clarity helps guide smarter treatment—not just symptom chasing. 📌 You’ll also hear about: Red flags to rule out (e.g. cauda equina, fracture, infection, cancer) Why most pain is mechanical, not pathological The difference between structural findings and clinical symptoms How psychosocial, metabolic, and environmental factors contribute Bonus movement tips for managing symptoms safely at home 🧠 Whether you’re a manual therapist (osteopath, physio, chiro), a student, or a person struggling with recurring back pain, this episode is designed to help you understand why pain occurs—not just what to do about it. While we won’t go deep into treatments here, I do give some early movement advice, symptom clues, and frameworks to start narrowing your differentials. Full diagnostic testing and rehab strategy will follow in future episodes. 🎧 Make sure to listen to my episode on “How I Diagnose” first if you haven’t already—it gives crucial context to how I think through complex cases. 🩺 Keywords to help you find this episode: lower back pain, back pain podcast, differential diagnosis, disc herniation, facet joint pain, SI joint dysfunction, spondylosis, back sprain, back strain, hypermobility back pain, mechanical pain, musculoskeletal assessment, red flags in back pain, osteopathy, physiotherapy, chiropractor, spinal instability, patient education, pain management, diagnosis series. 📬 Got questions or comments? Send them in—I’d love to hear your thoughts. And stay tuned for the next part of the series where we’ll break down how to examine and test for each of these diagnoses. Thanks for listening and take care!

Episode 2 - How to Navigate the Healthcare System (When You’re in Pain, Confused, or Misdiagnosed)

In this honest and eye-opening episode, I shift the focus to you — the patient. If you’ve ever felt confused, dismissed, or overwhelmed while dealing with pain, illness, or long-term health issues, this episode is for you. I’ll guide you through what to expect from healthcare professionals, how to advocate for yourself in appointments, and most importantly — how to spot red flags, ask the right questions, and avoid being bounced around the system without answers. Whether you’ve been told your pain is “all in your head,” received a rushed diagnosis without a proper exam, or been prescribed medications without context — you’re not alone, and you’re not crazy. We’ll cover: * Why the allopathic system often fails people with chronic or complex issues * The difference between active and passive treatments — and why it matters * What makes a good clinician vs one who’s just keeping you coming back * How to ask the right questions, request your records, and make empowered decisions * Why accurate diagnosis is the single most important part of your healthcare journey * When and why you might consider a physio, osteopath, chiropractor, or functional medicine practitioner * A checklist of common patient mistakes, overlooked red flags, and must-ask questions This is a raw, no-BS guide to protecting your health, your time, and your wallet. If you’ve ever wondered “Am I seeing the right person?”, “Why am I still not better?”, or “What should I do next?” — press play now.

My Framework For Diagnosing

In this episode, I break down the diagnostic framework I use in clinical practice to make sense of complex pain and health presentations. You’ll hear how I approach case history, pattern recognition, differential diagnosis, and clinical testing — not just to name a condition, but to understand the deeper drivers behind it. From musculoskeletal issues to systemic contributors like inflammation or gut dysfunction, this is how I connect the dots to uncover what’s really going on.