Losing the ability to stand up straight is a very common, but no less alarming, problem associated with severe lower back pain episodes. ... In most (not all) cases, it can be down to the nervous system entering a “panic mode” to protect the lower back and locking down the muscles around the hips.

What does it mean if you can't stand up straight?

Poor posture causes chronic, repetitive stress to muscles, tendons and ligaments that can lead to painful trigger points and muscle spasms. Poor posture can lead to abnormal curvatures of the spine, like kyphosis, or what all call Quasimodo back. Yes, this name comes from the character in The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.

What does it mean if it hurts to stand up straight?

When you stand for a length of time, your pelvis is often pushed backward, increasing the curve of your lower back (lumbar region). This puts increased pressure on the soft tissues surrounding the spine, causing your lower back muscles to tighten or even spasm, resulting in pain in the joints and nerves of your spine.