Introduction
Lower back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide. For office workers, athletes, and especially tennis players in Melbourne CBD, LBP can limit performance, reduce mobility, and affect quality of life. Understanding the different types of low back pain, how they present, and the most effective treatments is key to recovery and prevention.
Types of Low Back Pain
1. Discogenic Pain
Discogenic pain arises from injury or degeneration of the intervertebral discs.
- Protrusion/Herniation: The nucleus pulposus pushes into the annulus fibrosus, sometimes irritating nerves.
- Annular Tear: Small tears in the disc’s outer layer, often causing localized pain.
- Extrusion/Sequestration: Disc material escapes the annulus, potentially compressing spinal nerves and causing referred pain down the thigh, lower leg and/or into the foot.
Presentation:
- Localized low back pain
- Deep burning pain in the glute area
- Radiating pain into buttock, thigh, calf, or foot
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness (sciatica)
- Restricted movement – particularly bending forward and muscle spasm
Treatment:
- Conservative management: NSAID’s, transforaminal epidural +/- cortisone injections, flexion-distraction therapy, spinal manipulation, massage, heat therapy, acupuncture
- Exercise therapy and motor control training for chronic cases
- Emerging therapies – orthobiologics PRP and stem cells (although data is very limited, there is some evidence for improvements in pain and function)
- Surgery (e.g., microdiscectomy) should only be considered where there are serious and/or urgent neurological symptoms.
- In our experience and in conversations with sports medicine colleges, athletes, in particular, should avoid the “quick surgical fix” and focus on a comprehensive conservative management plan for the betterment of their career and post-career lives. There are complication risks with microdiscectomy surgeries (10-13%) and spinal fusion and the return to play outcomes post microdiscectomy in athletes is currently unknown.
👉Learn more about pain and how chiropractic care can help.
2. Mechanical Pain
Mechanical low back pain comes from joints, ligaments, or muscles.
- Facet Joint Pain: Sharp, localized pain worsened by extension or rotation.
- Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) Dysfunction: Pain radiating into buttock or thigh, often aggravated by standing or walking.
- Muscle Strain: Common in office workers and athletes; pain with movement, stiffness, and spasm.
Treatment:
- Chiropractic adjustments and mobilization
- Soft tissue therapy (massage, dry needling)
- Rehabilitation exercises to restore strength and flexibility
- Postural correction and ergonomic advice for office workers
👉 Listen to two professional women’s doubles tennis players on why they need your help.
Low Back Pain in Tennis 🎾
LBP is extremely prevalent in tennis, with 10–40% of players experiencing an episode during their career that limits performance or causes missed events.
Causes in Tennis Players:
- High compressive and repetitive loads on the spine
- Fatigue and trunk muscle imbalance
- Weak muscles and poor flexibility
- Repetitive serve motion (especially kick serve) → greatest torque and force on the lumbar spine
- Groundstrokes → repeated end‑range spinal motion, leading to microtrauma
Common Injuries in Tennis Players:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated discs
- Muscle and joint strains
- Stress fractures (especially in younger players)
Treatment & Prevention:
- Conservative care: spinal manipulation, massage, acupuncture, exercise therapy
- Avoid excessive serve loads during training
- Technique modifications to reduce lumbar strain
- Focus on thoracic/lumbar mobility and hip movement control
- Pelvic strengthening
- Mindfulness, stress reduction, and tailored rehabilitation programs
- Caution with core strength programs — excessive stiffness may worsen compressive forces
👉Here is how Melbourne city chiropractor Dr. Shannon treats tennis injuries and why pro players trust his chiropractic care.
Why Early Care Matters
Untreated disc or mechanical injuries can lead to degenerative changes such as osteoarthritis (spondylitis) or spinal canal narrowing (neurogenic claudication), which severely limits mobility. Seeking care early from a sports chiropractor in Melbourne CBD can prevent long‑term complications and keep you active on the court or at work.
👉Want to learn more about tennis injury prevention from a Melbourne sports chiropractor? Dr. Shannon from the Shannon Clinic Melbourne together with Carlos E. Martinez has got you covered.
If you’re a tennis player, office worker, or active individual experiencing low back pain in Melbourne CBD, Shannon Clinic’s chiropractors specialize in disc injury recovery, sports chiropractic care, and tailored rehabilitation programs.
👉 Book your appointment today and get back to moving pain‑free.
