Back Pain: How to Understand It and What Chiropractic Care Can Do
Photo by Kindel Media
Back pain is one of the leading causes of doctor visits worldwide. In fact, studies show that about 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Yet not all back pain is the same—and understanding where your pain is coming from is the first step to finding real relief.
Many people guess at the cause (“It must be a pulled muscle,” “Maybe it’s arthritis”), but the truth is, back pain can arise from seven different types of tissues: nerves, muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, discs, and joints. That’s why chiropractic care is so effective—we look beyond the symptoms to pinpoint the root cause.
Common Causes of Back Pain (And How to Tell Them Apart)
While you should always get a professional exam to know for sure, here are a few common patterns that might help you understand your pain better:
Pulled Muscle or Strain
Feels like: a dull, achy, or sometimes sharp pain that worsens when you move a certain way.
Often happens after: lifting something heavy, twisting suddenly, or working out.
Analogy: like overstretching a rubber band—it tightens up to protect itself.
Nerve Pain (Often Sciatica)
Feels like: burning, tingling, numbness, or sharp shooting pain, sometimes traveling down the leg.
Often happens with: herniated or bulging discs pressing on a nerve.
Analogy: like a kink in a garden hose—when the nerve is pinched, the signal doesn’t flow smoothly.
Arthritis or Joint Degeneration
Feels like: stiffness, grinding, or aching, especially in the morning or after sitting for too long.
Often happens with: aging, past injuries, or chronic wear and tear.
Fact: Spinal arthritis is more common than you think—changes can start showing on imaging as early as your 30s.
Pain With Sitting vs. Pain While Walking
Pain when sitting: often points to disc issues or tight hip flexors compressing the low back.
Pain when walking or standing: can be a sign of arthritis, spinal stenosis, or instability in the joints.
Why it matters: how and when your pain shows up gives important clues about which tissues are involved.
My Chiropractic Approach to Back Pain
When you come in for an exam, I take the time to figure out exactly what’s causing your pain. This includes a detailed history, hands-on assessment, and sometimes imaging if necessary. From there, I create a treatment plan that may include:
Chiropractic adjustments: to restore alignment in the spine and relieve pressure.
Soft tissue work: targeting tight muscles and fascial restrictions that pull joints out of balance.
Home care protocols: stretches, exercises, and ergonomic advice to keep you moving better between visits.
Think of it like solving a puzzle: if one piece (the disc, the muscle, or the joint) is out of place, the whole picture is distorted. My job is to identify that piece and help restore harmony to the whole system.
But What If I’m Afraid of Getting My Back “Cracked”?
This is one of the most common concerns people share with me. And it’s important to know: you don’t have to get a traditional manual adjustment if you’re not comfortable with it.
While I am skilled in high-velocity adjustments (the ones that sometimes create the “pop”), I also use low-force chiropractic techniques. These involve gentle hand-held tools that lightly tap the bone back into alignment—no twisting, no cracking, just effective, safe results.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Back Pain
Back pain isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Left untreated, small issues can snowball into bigger ones, from chronic stiffness to nerve compression. But with the right care, most back pain can improve significantly, often without medications or invasive procedures.
Fun fact: your spine is designed to move—each vertebra has small joints that allow for bending, twisting, and absorbing shock. When movement gets restricted (from sitting too much, injury, or aging), that’s when pain and dysfunction set in. Chiropractic care restores this natural motion.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
If you’ve been dealing with back pain—whether it’s a sharp pull, burning nerve pain, stiffness with age, or discomfort from sitting at a desk—it’s time to get clarity. During your exam, I’ll identify the exact source of your pain and create a plan tailored to your needs.
Don’t guess at the cause. Don’t settle for just managing symptoms. Let’s get to the root of it.
Book your appointment today and take the first step toward moving freely, comfortably, and confidently again.
