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952-841-2345Multifidus Dysfunction
Chronic low back pain doesn’t always come from discs, joints, or nerves. For many patients, the true source is multifidus dysfunction—a condition involving weakness or impaired activation of one of the spine’s most important stabilizing muscles.
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What Is multifidus dysfunction?
The multifidus muscles are small but powerful muscles that run along each side of the spine. Their primary role is to provide segmental spinal stability, helping control movement and protect the spine during everyday activities.
Multifidus dysfunction occurs when these muscles fail to activate properly. Rather than stabilizing the spine as intended, the muscles become inhibited, weak, or atrophied. This loss of stability can lead to persistent mechanical low back pain and make the spine more vulnerable to strain and injury.
What causes multifidus dysfunction?
Multifidus dysfunction commonly develops after an injury or painful spinal event that disrupts normal muscle activation. Potential causes include:
- Acute or repetitive low back injuries
- Disc degeneration or disc-related back pain
- Facet joint pain
- Prior spine surgery
- Prolonged poor posture or sedentary lifestyle
- Chronic low back pain that alters normal movement patterns
Once inhibited, the multifidus muscles may not recover on their own—even after the original injury has healed—leading to ongoing pain and instability.
What are symptoms of multifidus dysfunction?
Symptoms of multifidus dysfunction are often chronic and mechanical in nature. Patients may experience:
- Persistent low back pain lasting six months or longer
- Pain that worsens with movement or prolonged sitting or standing
- A feeling of spinal instability or “giving way”
- Recurring flare-ups of back pain without a clear cause
- Pain with rising after flexion
Because symptoms can mimic other spine conditions, a thorough evaluation by a pain specialist is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Treating Multifidus Dysfunction With ReActiv8®
At Twin Cities Pain Clinic, we offer ReActiv8® Restorative Neurostimulation, an FDA-approved treatment designed specifically to address the root cause of multifidus dysfunction.
How ReActiv8 Works
ReActiv8 uses an implantable neurostimulation system to gently stimulate the nerves that activate the multifidus muscles. Rather than masking pain, the system works to restore normal muscle activation, helping rebuild spinal stability over time.
Key benefits of ReActiv8 include:
- Targets the underlying cause of mechanical low back pain
- Helps retrain and strengthen the multifidus muscles
- Non-opioid and non-destructive approach
Designed for long-term improvement, not temporary relief
Treating multifidus dysfunction at Twin Cities Pain Clinic
Multifidus dysfunction is a real and treatable cause of chronic low back pain—but it requires the right diagnosis and the right approach. At Twin Cities Pain Clinic, we focus on identifying the underlying drivers of pain and offering advanced treatments that restore function, not just manage symptoms.
Schedule an appointment today and learn how we can help relieve your multifidus dysfunction pain.
Schedule a consultation today