Back Pain: Why It Happens and How to Finally Get Relief
Whether it hits out of nowhere or builds up over time, back pain can seriously mess with your day-to-day life. It’s one of the most common reasons people seek care—and one of the most frustrating to figure out. If you've been told to “just stretch more” or that it’s something you’ll have to live with, we’re here to offer a different approach.
At Mend, we take back pain seriously. We use orthopedic testing, hands-on assessment, and advanced acupuncture techniques to get to the root of the issue—so you’re not just masking the pain, you’re actually resolving it.
Common Causes of Back Pain
Back pain isn’t always about your back. Some of the most common culprits we see in clinic include:
Muscle imbalances between your glutes, core, and spinal stabilizers
Restricted mobility in the hips or thoracic spine
Postural patterns from sitting or standing for long hours
Old injuries that never fully healed (especially to the pelvis, SI joint, or ribs)
Disc issues or nerve irritation (like sciatica)
Pain can be sharp or dull, constant or intermittent—and sometimes it travels to the hip, butt, or leg. Understanding the pattern of your pain is key to treating it effectively.
How Acupuncture Helps Back Pain
This isn’t your average “needle in your low back” kind of treatment. At Mend, we combine:
Motor Point Acupuncture & Dry Needling – to release tight, overactive muscles and restore function
Electroacupuncture – to target pain pathways, reduce inflammation, and speed up healing
Functional Movement Assessment – to pinpoint the true cause, not just where it hurts
Hands-on Therapy – when needed, to loosen stuck fascia and re-integrate movement
Distal Needling (2-Needle Technique) – when local work isn’t an option or you need systemic support
Most patients feel a difference after just a few sessions—but long-term relief comes from retraining the body to move better.
What We Look for in a Back Pain Assessment
No cookie-cutter treatments here. Your session may include:
Range of motion testing
Strength and stability checks
Postural assessment
Palpation to identify specific trigger points, joint restrictions, or referral patterns
A personalized plan that shifts as your symptoms improve
Is It Sciatica or Something Else?
Many people come in thinking they have sciatica—but often it’s a piriformis issue, SI joint dysfunction, or nerve entrapment in the low back or glute. We’ll help you figure out exactly what’s going on and design a plan to get you back to doing what you love.
Simple Home Tips for Back Pain Relief
While treatment is key, here are a few things you can try at home between sessions:
Move gently, but often – short walks and hip mobility drills go a long way
Avoid prolonged sitting or slouching – set a timer to stand up every 30–45 minutes
Try 90/90 breathing – lay on your back with feet on a chair or couch, knees and hips at 90 degrees. Focus on slow, belly-based breathing to calm your nervous system and reduce tension in the low back and pelvis. This is especially helpful when pain is acute.
Use heat – warmth can ease tension and increase circulation. Try a hot pack or warm bath (skip heat if your pain is sharp or inflammatory).
Don’t over-stretch – sometimes what feels “tight” is actually overworked or unstable. Stick with gentle mobility rather than aggressive stretching unless advised otherwise.Ready to Feel Better?
If your back pain has been holding you back, it’s time to do something about it. Our approach isn’t just about pain relief—it’s about performance, recovery, and helping your body move the way it was designed to.
📍 Based in Whistler, Mend Health Co offers orthopedic acupuncture and sports therapy that’s designed to get results.
👉 Book your first session today and let’s start untangling what’s really going on with your back.
