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This article was co-authored by Sarah Potter and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Sarah Potter is a professional witch, tarot reader, and psychic medium based in New York City, NY. Sarah writes quarterly tarotscopes for Bust Magazine and is the creator of the Cosmo Tarot deck for Cosmopolitan. She leads transformative Full Moon ceremonies and is a highly sought-after spiritual guide, working with private and corporate clients. She also has a Substack where she share weekly energy reports, Tarotscopes, and spells for her subscribers. She is passionate about helping people live life with joy and self-trust, following their intuition to make their dreams come true. Sarah is also the author of Sober Magic, a guide to using magical craft and tarot as tools in a sobriety journey. She has been featured in Forbes, Refinery29, InStyle, and more. She has a BFA in Studio Art and Art History.
There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
It’s easy to pinpoint the cause of lower back pain if you fell or suffered an injury, but sometimes it may seem like you have pain for no reason at all. In these situations, you may be dealing with something spiritually or emotionally that’s causing pain to manifest physically. In this article, we spoke to a spiritual advisor, an energy healing practitioner, and a mindfulness coach to teach you all the most common spiritual meanings of lower back pain and how to heal your pain spiritually.
What does lower back pain mean spiritually?
Spiritual advisor Sarah Potter says that lower back pain usually relates to a lack of confidence or a lack of support. You may be feeling insecure about yourself or the decisions you’ve made, or you may feel like you don’t fit in with your family or community. Working through these issues may alleviate your pain.
Steps
Spiritual Meanings of Lower Back Pain
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1You may feel like you don’t belong. The lowest vertebra, sometimes known as L5, is sometimes associated with relationships and family. If you experience pain in this area, Potter says you may be lacking in support.[1] You may feel like you don’t belong in your family, that your family doesn’t relate to you on some level, or that you can’t find people who understand and accept you on a deep level.
- Just think of how many people who will love you that you just haven’t met yet! Get outside your comfort zone and be willing to meet new people to find your chosen family.
- Note: These spiritual meanings are anecdotal and don’t take the place of medical advice. If you’re experiencing intense or persistent back pain, talk to your doctor. To learn more, see our When to See a Doctor section.
Meet the wikiHow Experts
Sarah Potter is a spiritual advisor, witch, tarot reader, and psychic medium based in NYC. She has been featured in Forbes, Refinery29, InStyle, and more.
Joanna Cabot is a psychic medium and energy healing practitioner based in Saint Barthélemy. She runs Holistic Self Space, a private practice where she offers readings and energy healing sessions.
Evelina Renta is a mindfulness coach based in Berlin, Germany. She has over 5 years of experience teaching sound therapy, yoga, movement, and breathwork courses.
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2You might not feel comfortable expressing your emotions. The next vertebra, L4, represents emotions (especially grief), creativity, and how you hold joy with your community. If you grew up believing it’s unacceptable to express strong emotions, whether positive or negative, you may experience pain in this area.[2]
- Work on expressing yourself by writing your feelings in a journal or talking to someone you trust. Learn to use “I feel” statements to let others know how you’re feeling in the moment.
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3You may need to come to terms with your choices. The L3 vertebra is related to “digesting” your beliefs and choices. If you have pain here, you may have made a decision that others don't approve of. For instance, maybe you've broken away from a certain belief system you were raised in, and that's caused tension with your family. The pain may last until you accept your choices and heal from that break.
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4You might feel disappointed that you didn’t follow your dreams. The L2 vertebra relates to your physical capabilities and how you support yourself. For instance, if you had to put your dreams on pause to support yourself and your family, you may experience pain in this area. It may be time to rethink your goals and values and go after what you really want. It’s never too late to chase your dreams!
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5Your sacral chakra may be out of alignment. The sacral chakra is located in the lower abdomen near the sacrum, or the joint at the back of the hips. It relates to creativity, sexuality, sensuality, and pleasure.[3] When this area is out of alignment, you may experience physical pain in the area, as well as feel disconnected from joy and pleasure.
- “Sacrum” means “sacred bone” in Greek. It was believed that this area was where the soul resided in the body.
- If you want to learn how to align your sacral chakra, skip to our How to Heal Lower Back Pain Spiritually section!
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6You may help others more than you help yourself. If you’re experiencing pain in the lumbar curve area above the hips, you may be working too hard or giving too much. In addition to doing too much physical labor, you may find yourself bending over backward to help others or not knowing when to say no. You give so much of yourself to others that you don’t have time to take care of yourself.[4]
- This type of pain is often more common in women than in men.
- Understand that it’s okay to say no. You have to be able to take care of yourself before you can care for others!
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7You’re potentially headed down the wrong path. Some believe back pain is a sign that you need to course correct. Maybe you’re being careless or frivolous with your life and need to change that immediately. If the pain is consistent, you may not be learning from your mistakes and will be doomed to repeat them unless you adjust your life path.[5]
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8You may be in the midst of a spiritual awakening. In some cases, lower back pain may be a sign that you’ve become spiritually sensitive. This is especially true if you experience a sharp, stabbing feeling. Be on the lookout for divine signs, and seek clarity through meditation and spiritual exercises.[6]
- Psychic medium and energy healing practitioner Joanna Cabot says when you’re going through a spiritual awakening, “You start becoming more aware of your values, your emotions, other people’s behaviors, and what’s essential in life… People going through a spiritual awakening often feel lonely or misunderstood because they start seeing life differently.”[7]
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9You may be at a crossroads. Not only can lower back pain be a sign you need to come to terms with your previous choices, but it can also be a sign it’s time to make an important choice. You likely have a big decision to make and may be torn between two options. The universe is telling you to use discernment to make your next move.[8]
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10You’re potentially struggling with low self-esteem. Your lower back pain may be a physical response to your self-esteem. You may be feeling unworthy, struggling with imposter syndrome, or generally feeling down on yourself. Potter says to question what you’re feeling insecure about to start healing your back pain.[9] Spend time around encouraging people and use positive self-talk and affirmations to boost your confidence.
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11You may need to release toxic energy or emotions. If you feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, it can present as back pain. You may be feeling fearful, sad, angry, jealous, or any number of negative emotions. Take some deep breaths and do the work to rid yourself of these feelings.[10]
- Sometimes, writing or talking about your feelings can help you feel better. If that alone isn’t enough, consider talking to a therapist or counselor to find a method that will work for you.
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ Sarah Potter. Witch, Tarot Reader, and Psychic Medium. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://energetic-wisdom.co.uk/the-spiritual-cause-of-low-back-pain/
- ↑ https://dasa.fiu.edu/all-departments/healthy-living-program/_assets/docs/resources/sacral-chakra.pdf
- ↑ https://themindsjournal.com/physical-pains-metaphysical-meanings/
- ↑ https://www.enotalone.com/article/religion-and-spirituality/10-spiritual-meanings-of-back-pain-revealed-r17313/
- ↑ https://www.enotalone.com/article/religion-and-spirituality/10-spiritual-meanings-of-back-pain-revealed-r17313/
- ↑ Joanna Cabot. Psychic Medium and Energy Healing Practitioner. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.enotalone.com/article/religion-and-spirituality/10-spiritual-meanings-of-back-pain-revealed-r17313/
- ↑ Sarah Potter. Witch, Tarot Reader, and Psychic Medium. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://elementalnest.com/lower-back-pain-spiritual-meaning/
- ↑ https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/health/what-is-self-care
- ↑ https://www.psychology.org/resources/should-i-see-counselor-psychologist/
- ↑ Evelina Renta. Mindfulness Coach. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.umms.org/health-services/spine/signs-symptoms
About This Article
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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