Hi all. I've been having really nasty lower back pain, firstly from exercise (manifesting as ITB pain on my left side) but now even just sitting sometimes. I went to see a physio and my glutes were weak, so I have been strengthening them daily for a good few months now. When I went for physio initially the back pain wasn't bad, it was more in my hamstring and I had really tight hip flexors. The back pain has come on since. So despite all the strength work, I'm in more pain now than ever.

I went to see a specialist bio mechanics lecturer and his physio colleague at work (university) and they said that the source of my problem was from my ribs. Apparently I'm really tight on one side and my left rib is slightly higher. In addition, I have and have for a long time had a weak upper back and scapular instability on my left side.

I am now going to begin strengthening my upper back and scapular, alongside using a spike ball to mobilise my hip flexors (appears to work well).

My question is....does this all sound normal. Can back pain and ITB pain during running all be coming from tight ribs and a weak upper back. I feel like I've tried everything and my physio is saying she wants to discharge me (NHS), which leaves me nowhere. My physio herself has said that the strength I have in my lower body doesn't explain the pain I'm getting. To re-iterate this is all just on my left side.

Many Thanks for any advice.

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