Lower back and elbow pain from prolonged stooping work.
symptom
Lower back pain began to appear around mid-to-late March.
As part of the garden construction, I was working on stacking stones, which involved repeatedly washing them while crouching and picking up and throwing stones (movements that involved torso rotation).
In particular,
- Working in a crouched position for long periods of time
- Getting up after a long journey (about 1 hour by car)
The symptoms were severe, and it was difficult to straighten the lower back.
The symptoms observed at the start of treatment were primarily pain in the lower back, particularly during bending forward. No significant pain was observed during arching or twisting movements. In addition, there was noticeable muscle tension in the right gluteal region, and a feeling of tightness was also noted in the back.
During the course of treatment, the patient also complained of pain in their right elbow. They mentioned that they had previously experienced pain when holding objects with their right arm and bending their wrist.
Upon examination, similar pain was observed on the outside of the right elbow when applying force to rotate the wrist and when bending the wrist.
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Visitors
Male
40's
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Period
February 2026 - March 2026
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Visit Frequency per week
2 - 3
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Number of Visits
3
Treatment and progress
During the initial session, it was assumed that prolonged periods of crouching and rotational movements had caused excessive tension in the gluteal muscles and concentrated stress on the lower back. Therefore, treatment was performed with the aim of improving the coordination from the buttocks and lower limbs to the trunk.
After the treatment, the pain when bending forward was reduced, and the pain changed from a "sharp pain" to a "feeling of tightness."
The location of the pain shifted slightly towards the area around the sacroiliac joint.
The same approach was followed for subsequent sessions. The tension in the gluteal region gradually decreased, and the pain during forward bending also showed signs of improvement.
On the other hand, the patient also complained of pain in his right elbow due to the continued workload, so adjustments were made to reduce the strain on his upper limbs.
After the third treatment,
- The pain when bending forward has almost completely disappeared (I can only feel it if I consciously move).
- A crouching position is also possible without any problems.
- I feel strain on my lower back during work, but the pain doesn't persist after the work is finished.
- No limitations on range of motion
Since the condition has improved to the point where it no longer interferes with daily life or work, this treatment has been concluded.
Acupressure points used
Summary
This case is thought to be a case of lower back pain caused by increased muscle tension, mainly in the gluteal muscles, resulting from prolonged bending and repetitive trunk rotation movements associated with stone-laying work, and the resulting concentration of load on the lumbar region.
Furthermore, it was suggested that the same type of strain from the work may have affected the upper limbs, potentially leading to pain in the right elbow.
This case suggests that improving the coordination between the buttocks/lower limbs and the trunk, as well as between the upper limbs and the trunk, helped to distribute local stress, leading to a reduction in symptoms and improved movement.
