Holiday Travel and Low Back Pain: Why L5 Takes the Biggest Hit
Holiday travel is in full swing, and for many people, that means long drives, full days in airports, cross-country flights, and more time sitting than usual. While this time of year is filled with excitement, connection, and celebration, it can also be one of the most challenging seasons for your low back — especially the L5–S1 area.
What Makes L5–S1 So Important?
L5 is the last lumbar vertebra, sitting just above your sacrum. The disc between these two bones is the most weight-bearing disc in your entire spine. Because of its position, this disc absorbs more load than any other, especially when you're:
Sitting for long periods
Lifting heavy luggage
Twisting during travel
Sleeping in unfamiliar beds or positions
When you're upright and moving, your spine distributes weight through the hips and legs. But when you sit, especially in a car or airplane seat, the L5–S1 disc compresses significantly.
How Holiday Travel Aggravates This Disc
During the holidays, most people increase their time spent sitting. Hours in a car or on a plane place added pressure on the L5–S1 disc, often causing:
Low back tightness
Sharp pain when standing up after sitting
Hip stiffness
A pulling sensation into the glutes
Numbness or tingling down one leg
Trouble getting comfortable in bed
When this area becomes restricted, the body naturally compensates. Muscles tighten to protect the area, other joints start to move differently, and simple activities can begin to feel uncomfortable.
How Chiropractic Care Helps the L5–S1 Region
In our practice, we take a whole-body, comprehensive approach to assessing low back function. That includes looking at how the lumbar spine moves, how the pelvis supports your posture, and how surrounding muscles respond through functional testing.
During your care, we also use posture screening software to measure forward head shift and weight distribution, giving you visual and tangible progress over time.
A gentle, specific adjustment at the L5–S1 region can:
Reduce restriction in the joint
Improve movement through the pelvis
Ease pressure on the disc
Release compensating muscles
Restore normal patterns of motion
Even one adjustment can make a significant difference in how your back handles long periods of sitting.
A Perfect Time to Support Your Spine
If you're preparing for travel or already noticing low back tension, now is an ideal time to get checked. A well-moving spine makes the holidays easier, more enjoyable, and far less painful.
Whether you're flying across the country or driving just a few hours, your low back will thank you for giving it a little extra support.
