Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care, affecting millions of adults each year. From long hours at a desk, heavy lifting, old injuries, or the natural wear and tear of aging, back pain can disrupt daily life and limit mobility. Chiropractic care offers a natural, non-invasive approach that addresses the underlying causes of discomfort, helping you move more freely, restore balance to your spine, and get back to doing the things you enjoy.
Chiropractic care targets the root cause of back pain instead of just masking symptoms with medication. Misalignments in the spine, often caused by poor posture, stress, injury or repetitive movements can irritate nerves and muscles, leading to discomfort. Gentle chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment, reduce pressure on the nervous system, improve mobility, and allow your body to heal naturally. Many patients experience both immediate relief and long-term improvement with consistent care.
The back is a structure in our body composed of many muscles, bones and joints. In general, back pain is extremely common, affecting over 65 million Americans every single year. The most common causes include:
• Muscular pain - tight and hyperactive lower back muscles are extremely prevalent these days. Experts put this down to poor posture in many young adults, creating an anterior pelvic tilt that forces the lower back into an excessive arch. Consequently, the aggressive arch forces the lower back muscles to fire on all cylinders, leading to muscle knots and spasms. You may also pull a muscle in your back, causing a lot of pain.
• Nerve pain – often referred to as sciatica, nerve pain in the lower back stems from the sciatic nerve becoming trapped or irritated. It’s a common issue that can affect between 10-40% of the population. One of the most frequent causes of sciatica is a bulging disc in the spine that compresses the nerve and leads to shooting pain down the back of your leg.
• Joint pain – discs between joints in the back can bulge, slip, or wear down over time. Thus, you can suffer from back pain that originates in the spine itself. Stiffness in the joints can also cause pain and discomfort.
• Fractures – In some cases, you may fracture bones in your lower back that causes a lot of pain and take a long time to heal.
Our spines are composed of 24 small bones that are medically defined as these three regions:
The cervical spine is made up of 7 small vertebrae that support the head and allow movement like turning and nodding. It also protects the spinal cord and nerves that travel to the shoulders and arms.
The thoracic spine is in the mid-back area and made up of 12 vertebrae that connect to the ribs. It provides stability, protects the heart and lungs, and allows twisting while keeping the upper body supported.
The lumbar spine is in the lower back, made up of 5 large vertebrae that bear most of the body's weight. It allows bending and lifting, while protecting nerves that extend to the hips, legs and feet.
Bulging disc: The disc shifts outward slightly but the outer layer remains intact. It may cause pressure on nearby nerves.
Herniated disc: The soft inner material pushes through a tear in the outer layer. This often creates more signifcant pain, numbness or tingling.
Every person's situation is different. Some patients notice improvement after just one or two adjustments, while others with long-standing issues may need a series of visits to experience lasting relief. During your first appointment, we'll evaluate your condition and create a personalized care plan to help you reach your health goals as quickly as possible.
Many patients feel some relief after their very first adjustment. That's because restoring proper alignment takes pressue off irritated nerves and muscles, allowing the body to relax and move more freely. However, lasting healing takes time.
Back pain often develops from months or even years of poor posture, repetitive stress or old injuries. While a single adjustment can ease discomfort, consistent care retrains your spine and nervous system, strengthens supporting muscles, and helps prevent the problem from coming back.
Think of it like straightening teeth with braces: you may notice improvement quickly, but the real transformation happens with steady, long-term care. Chiropractic isn't just about short-term relief, it's about helping your body heal, function better, and stay that way.
We're happy to answer questions and discuss your health concerns and goals.
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