Low Back Pain Isn't Always Just a "Bad Back"

Whether your pain began after lifting something heavy, developed gradually over time, or started without an obvious cause, understanding what's contributing to your symptoms is the first step toward recovery.

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons adults seek chiropractic care. While many episodes improve with time, others continue to interfere with work, exercise, sleep, and everyday life.

Some people experience pain only in the lower back, while others notice symptoms traveling into the hips, buttocks, or down one or both legs. These symptoms may be related to muscles, joints, ligaments, discs, nerves, or—more commonly—a combination of several contributing factors.

Common conditions we evaluate include:

  • Low back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Herniated discs
  • Bulging discs
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Lumbar muscle strains
  • Pinched nerves
  • SI joint dysfunction
  • Pain into the hip or leg
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Muscle spasms
  • Pain after lifting injuries, sports injuries, or auto accidents

Whether your symptoms are new or something you've struggled with for years, our goal is to identify the underlying cause of your pain and develop a personalized treatment plan designed to help you move better, feel better, and return to the activities you enjoy.

Looking Beyond the MRI

Imaging is only one piece of the puzzle. We evaluate how your body moves—not just what your MRI or X-ray says.

Many patients come to our office after being told they have a bulging disc, herniated disc, arthritis, or degenerative changes. While imaging can provide valuable information, these findings don't always explain why someone is experiencing pain—or how severe that pain may be.

At City Point Chiropractic, we take the time to understand the entire picture.

Your evaluation begins with a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, work demands, previous injuries, and personal goals before performing a comprehensive examination.

Depending on your condition, we may evaluate:

  • Posture
  • Spinal mobility
  • Joint function
  • Muscle tension
  • Functional movement patterns
  • Hip mobility
  • Core stability
  • Neurological findings
  • Strength and sensation when appropriate

Rather than treating an MRI finding or chasing symptoms, our goal is to identify movement restrictions, muscular imbalances, and mechanical stress that may be contributing to your pain. This whole-person approach allows us to develop a treatment plan that's specific to your condition, your goals, and your lifestyle.

Our Assessment & Treatment Approach

Every treatment plan is personalized based on your examination findings, diagnosis, goals, and response to care.

Depending on your condition, your treatment plan may include a combination of the following conservative treatment options:

Chiropractic Adjustments

Specific chiropractic adjustments help restore healthy joint motion throughout the lumbar spine, pelvis, hips, and surrounding joints while improving movement and reducing mechanical stress.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

For appropriate patients, spinal decompression provides a gentle, non-surgical treatment option designed to reduce pressure on the discs and nerves of the lower back. By applying controlled distraction forces to the lumbar spine, spinal decompression may help reduce symptoms associated with herniated discs, bulging discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, and nerve irritation while promoting improved comfort and mobility.

Not every patient is a candidate for spinal decompression, which is why we perform a thorough evaluation before determining whether it may be appropriate as part of your treatment plan.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Muscles and connective tissues often become tight and protective following injury or prolonged pain. Soft tissue techniques help improve mobility, reduce muscle tension, and restore more normal movement.

Dry Needling

When appropriate, dry needling may be used to reduce muscular trigger points, decrease muscle spasms, improve tissue mobility, and relieve pain associated with muscle dysfunction.

Movement-Based Rehabilitation

Pain often improves faster—and stays away longer—when movement improves. We prescribe individualized rehabilitation exercises designed to restore strength, flexibility, stability, and coordination while helping reduce the likelihood of future injuries.

Patient Education

Recovery doesn't stop when you leave the office. We provide practical guidance on lifting mechanics, posture, workstation ergonomics, activity modification, and home exercises so you can continue making progress between visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from patients with low back pain and sciatica.

Can chiropractic care help sciatica?

Sciatica is a term used to describe pain, numbness, tingling, or other symptoms that travel along the sciatic nerve into the buttock or leg. Because sciatica can have several different causes, we begin with a thorough evaluation to determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and discuss whether chiropractic care may be an appropriate part of your treatment plan.

Do all herniated or bulging discs require surgery?

No. Many people with disc injuries improve with conservative treatment and never require surgery. The appropriate treatment depends on your symptoms, examination findings, and imaging when available. If we believe your condition requires additional medical evaluation, we'll discuss those recommendations with you.

What is spinal decompression?

Spinal decompression is a non-surgical treatment that gently stretches the spine using a specialized table. For appropriate patients, it may help reduce pressure on spinal discs and nerves while improving comfort and mobility. During your examination, we'll determine whether spinal decompression may be an appropriate option for your condition.

Will I need X-rays or an MRI?

Not everyone requires imaging. If X-rays, MRI, or other diagnostic studies are clinically indicated based on your history or examination findings, we'll discuss our recommendations and help determine the most appropriate next step.

Ready to Get Back to Living Life?

Whether you're dealing with everyday low back pain, sciatica, or a disc injury, we're here to help you find answers and develop a treatment plan that's right for you.

At City Point Chiropractic, we combine chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, soft tissue therapy, dry needling, movement-based rehabilitation, and individualized home exercises to help reduce pain, restore healthy movement, and get you back to doing the things you love.

Ready to get started? Call us today at (817) 259-1300 or tap below to schedule your evaluation.

 

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