Back Pain Treatment & Chiropractic Care

What Can Cause Back Pain?

Back pain may follow an obvious event such as lifting, twisting, a sporting injury or a fall. At other times there is no single identifiable cause.

Problems we commonly assess include:

• Joint and ligament sprains
• Muscle pain and spasm
• Restricted or painful spinal movement
• Disc-related back pain
• Sciatica and nerve irritation
• Sacroiliac joint problems
• Facet joint pain
• Pain associated with changes in activity, posture or workload

Persistent or recurring back pain can also be influenced by factors such as sleep, stress, general health, physical conditioning and previous episodes of pain.

The aim of your assessment is to understand which factors appear most relevant to you.

What Happens at Your Back Pain Assessment?

1. We Listen

We start by discussing your symptoms, medical history and what you would like to get back to doing.

2. We Examine

Your chiropractor will carry out an appropriate physical examination. This may include assessing movement, joints, muscles and, where relevant, neurological function.

3. We Explain

We will explain what we have found in straightforward language and discuss what may be contributing to your symptoms.

4. We Discuss Your Options

If chiropractic care is appropriate, we will explain the treatment options we recommend.

If we believe another healthcare professional or further investigation would be more appropriate, we will tell you.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help With Back Pain?

Treatment is tailored to the individual rather than using the same approach for everyone.

Depending on your assessment, your care may include manual treatment such as spinal manipulation or mobilisation, soft-tissue techniques, advice about activity and exercises designed to improve movement, strength and confidence.

Exercise and rehabilitation can be particularly important where back pain has persisted or keeps returning.

Our aim is not simply to focus on where it hurts. We want to help you understand your problem, improve how you move and give you practical ways of managing your back.

Find out more about chiropractic treatment and exercise and rehabilitation.

Should I Keep Moving If My Back Hurts?

For most uncomplicated back pain, remaining reasonably active is usually preferable to prolonged bed rest.

You may need to modify certain activities temporarily, but completely avoiding movement can sometimes make stiffness and confidence worse.

We will advise you about what you can safely continue doing and whether particular exercises may be appropriate for you.

Why Does Back Pain Sometimes Keep Coming Back?

Having experienced back pain previously can increase the likelihood of another episode.

That does not necessarily mean that your back is damaged or permanently weak.

Recurring symptoms can have several contributors, including strength and conditioning, movement patterns, changes in activity, work demands, previous injury and other individual factors.

This is one reason rehabilitation and self-management can form an important part of managing recurrent back pain.

Do I Need an X-Ray or MRI?

Not everyone with back pain needs imaging.

Your symptoms and examination will usually provide much of the information needed initially.

Where imaging is clinically appropriate and likely to influence your management, we will explain why.

All three Isis Chiropractic Centres have on-site X-ray facilities. Where appropriate, we can also arrange or refer for other imaging such as MRI.

When Should Back Pain Be Assessed Urgently?

Most back pain is not caused by a serious medical condition, but some symptoms require urgent medical assessment.

Seek urgent medical attention if your back pain is accompanied by symptoms such as:

• New numbness around the genitals, buttocks or inner thighs
• New difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
• Significant weakness or numbness affecting both legs
• Severe pain that is rapidly worsening
• Feeling seriously unwell, feverish or shivery alongside your back pain
• Significant recent trauma

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are suitable for chiropractic care, contact us and we can advise you on the appropriate next step.

Back Pain and Sciatica

Back pain and sciatica often occur together, but they are not the same thing.

Sciatica generally describes symptoms associated with irritation or compression of nerves supplying the leg. Symptoms may include pain travelling into the buttock or leg and sometimes numbness, tingling or weakness.

Find out more about sciatica →

Disc-Related Back Pain

Changes or injuries affecting an intervertebral disc can sometimes contribute to back pain or nerve symptoms.

The commonly used expression “slipped disc” can be misleading because a disc does not literally slip out of place.

Many disc problems can be managed without surgery, although the appropriate treatment depends on the individual’s symptoms and examination findings.

Find out more about disc injuries →

Other Problems That Can Cause Back or Referred Pain

Different conditions can produce similar symptoms, which is one reason assessment is important. You may also find the following pages useful:

• Facet Joint Syndrome
  
• Sacroiliac Joint Syndrome
  
• Sciatica
  
• Lumbar Disc Injuries
  
• Conditions & Symptoms
  

Back Pain Treatment Near You

Isis Chiropractic Centres provides assessment and treatment for back pain at our three clinics in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Aylesbury.

Back Pain Treatment in Milton Keynes

Our Milton Keynes chiropractic clinic has been providing care locally since 1994. The clinic has on-site X-ray facilities, a rehabilitation gym and free parking.

Visit our Milton Keynes Chiropractic Clinic →

Back Pain Treatment in Northampton

Our Northampton chiropractic clinic has been providing care locally since 1989 and has on-site X-ray facilities, dedicated rehabilitation facilities and free parking.

Visit our Northampton Chiropractic Clinic →

Back Pain Treatment in Aylesbury

The first Isis Chiropractic Centre opened in Aylesbury in 1986. Our current Aylesbury clinic provides chiropractic assessment and treatment, on-site X-ray facilities and free patient parking.

Visit our Aylesbury Chiropractic Clinic →

Frequently Asked Questions About Back Pain

Can a chiropractor help with lower back pain?

Chiropractors assess and treat musculoskeletal problems including many types of lower back pain. Whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate for you depends on the nature of your symptoms, which is why we begin with an assessment.

Do I need to see my GP first?

You can normally book directly with a chiropractor without seeing your GP first.

If your history or examination suggests that another healthcare professional or further investigation is required, we will explain this and advise you on the next step.

Will I need an X-ray?

No. Most people with back pain do not automatically need an X-ray or scan.

Imaging is considered when there is a clinical reason for it and when the result is likely to help determine what should happen next.

Should I exercise with back pain?

For many types of uncomplicated back pain, remaining active and gradually returning to normal activity is encouraged.

The appropriate level and type of exercise depends on your individual problem, and we can advise you following your assessment.

What happens at my first appointment?

We will discuss your symptoms and medical history, examine the problem and explain what we think may be contributing to your pain.

We will then discuss whether chiropractic care is appropriate and what treatment or rehabilitation options we recommend.