“Ligament injuries are the most frequently ignored and misunderstood factor in low-back pain, so it warrants a bit more exploration. More often than not chronic pain in the low-back area is caused by tears and subsequent adhesive scar tissue formation in the ligaments.”1  This obviously causes pain at the source, but referred pain can also be felt in the buttock, groin, thigh, lower leg and even foot! The more severe the injury, the further the pain will travel.
How do these ligament tears or injuries occur?
Ligaments are incredibly tough, fibrous soft tissues that bear the weight of the world (or at least your body), but they are susceptible to tears that occur in a couple ways:
1. Sudden onset – This is the result of a traumatic event like a fall or after lifting a heavy object. It is also very common in car accidents. If severe pain will emerge immediately, but often it takes weeks to develop.
2. Gradual onset – Some back pain creeps up on you after a tennis game, gardening or just sitting for a couple hours you may experience a slight ache that evolves into major irritation. The malady may persist, get worse, or even come and go with time.
Why do ligaments tear?
The basics causes of soft tissue injury include fatigue/overuse, structural misalignment, excess muscle tension, poor diet, poor exercise habits, or inadequate physical activity. More specifically there are two theories that apply to ligament tears.

  • A Mechanical Theory –  As we stand and move during the day the weight of our body (thanks gravity) puts pressure and compression on our spine, causing small amount of water to diffuse out of the discs between our vertebrae. This narrows the discs and compromises the integrity/strength of the spinal ligaments. This makes them MUCH more easily injured. This phenomenon is exaggerated by people who chronically hold tension in their bodies.
  • Emotional Theory –  Emotions obviously play a large role in our mental AND physical wellness. Stress over stimulates the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) which causes muscle contraction/restriction. It also releases cortisol which in large doses can slow healing and recovery.


What do you do about ligament injuries?
The best thing to do is go see a medical professional or massage therapist immediately. The faster the injury is diagnosed and treated the faster the recovery will be. There are multiple ways to treat such injuries, but massage and chiropractic are most effective.
[1] Massage and Bodywork, February/March 2006, “The Mystery of Low-Back Pain, Part II: Ligament Tears”, p. 110-11
Special thanks to Massage and Bodywork Magazine for information and inspiration.