Thoracolumbar Fascia Stiffness and Chronic Low Back Pain in Active People
Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek care, especially among athletes and those who stay physically active. Whether you lift weights, run, play pickleball, or spend long hours sitting at work, your lower back absorbs a lot of stress. A recent study published in PLOS ONE examined how a structure called the thoracolumbar fascia may be involved in ongoing low back pain. This thick layer of connective tissue links the hips, core, and spine so you can move efficiently during everyday tasks and athletic training.
What the Study Found
Researchers compared active individuals with chronic low back pain to those without pain using ultrasound imaging. They found that the fascia was not thicker in people with pain, but it was significantly stiffer, especially on the side used most often. This means the tissue may look normal, but it does not move or stretch the way it should in people who struggle with long-term back pain. This stiffness may limit motion, disrupt biomechanics, and increase strain on the joints of the lower back.
Why This Matters for Athletes, Active Adults, and Those with Low Back Pain
When the thoracolumbar fascia becomes stiff, it can change how your body moves and loads the spine. This often leads to reduced rotation, poor force transfer between the upper and lower body, and increased stress on spinal joints and discs. Over time, these biomechanical changes can turn small aches into chronic pain and prevent individuals from training, exercising, or engaging in activities of daily living.
How Thrive Sports & Spine Uses This Research to Guide Care
At Thrive Sports & Spine in Somers Point, NJ, we do not treat back pain with a one-size-fits-all approach. This study supports our multidisciplinary model, which focuses on restoring healthy tissue movement, improving biomechanics, and enhancing performance.
- Chiropractic care helps restore normal joint motion and unload stiff, overloaded areas of the spine.
- Soft tissue therapy and shockwave therapy target tight fascia and connective tissue to improve flexibility and blood flow.
- Acupuncture supports pain reduction and helps calm overactive muscles and nervous system responses.
- Occupational therapy and rehabilitation programs retrain deep core and stabilizing muscles so your body handles stress more efficiently.
- Medical care, when appropriate, ensures a complete evaluation and supports recovery when pain is severe or persistent.
Getting Back to Moving at Your Best
If you are dealing with low back pain that keeps coming back, the problem may not be just your muscles or joints. Stiff connective tissue like the thoracolumbar fascia can quietly disrupt your movement patterns and limit your performance. By addressing fascia health, spinal motion, and stability together, we help our patients reduce pain, improve biomechanics, and return to the activities they love.
Reference: Zhou EF, Pirri C, Zhao X, Peng J, Wen T, Fang J, et al. Comparative study of thoracolumbar fascia changes in weightlifters with and without low back pain. PLOS One. 2025;20(12):e0338718.












