Lower Back Pain

Acute pain has a recent onset (days to weeks), often from a specific event. Mild cases may resolve with self-management, but more severe or recurring cases should be assessed to prevent progression to chronic pain — longer-term pain lasting weeks to months. Long-term use of medication is not recommended as it does not improve function. Psychological and social factors can also contribute to chronic presentations, which is why our approach looks at the whole person.

Locked or injured joints can become inflamed, affecting nerves, discs, and surrounding soft tissue. A mechanical joint dysfunction means one or more vertebrae are not moving correctly, creating a cascade of problems in the surrounding tissue. This is one of the most common causes we see — and one of the most responsive to chiropractic care.

A significant injury or repetitive micro-trauma can lead to disc bulging or herniation. Discs sit between your vertebrae and act as shock absorbers. When the tough outer layer cracks, the soft inner nucleus can push outward, compressing nearby nerves and causing local and referred pain. Chiropractors use effective techniques to assist relief and restore function without the risks associated with surgery or long-term medication.

Very common in active, athletic humans and ‘weekend warriors’ — those who are sedentary through the week and very active on weekends. Muscles and ligaments that are not conditioned for sudden demands are vulnerable to sprains and strains. A combination of soft tissue therapy, spinal adjustment, and rehabilitation exercises typically produces excellent results.

Stress hormones cause muscles to tighten throughout the body, which aggravates any pre-existing weak points in the spine. Stress alone rarely causes back pain, but it reliably makes it worse. Many patients report feeling more relaxed, moving better, and coping better with stress after chiropractic care.