Back Pain Questions
Can a chiropractor help with lower back pain?
Chiropractic care addresses back pain that comes from mechanical restriction in the lumbar or thoracic spine, the sacroiliac joints and the surrounding muscles. At The Shift Chiropractic the assessment covers joint motion, sacroiliac function, pelvic alignment, muscle guarding and posture, plus a neurological screening where there’s radiating pain, numbness or weakness. Not all back pain is mechanical, and part of a good examination is recognizing what belongs elsewhere and referring it.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A specific, controlled force applied to a spinal or extremity joint to restore movement where it has been lost. It can be delivered by hand, on a drop table (Thompson technique), or with a low-force instrument such as the Arthro-Stimulator if you’re sensitive or prefer a gentler approach. The technique is matched to you rather than applied as a single default.
Do I need X-rays for back pain?
Not routinely. Imaging makes sense when your history or examination raises a specific question that imaging would answer, such as trauma, red flags, a suspected structural problem, or a case that isn’t responding as expected. If imaging is recommended, you’ll be told what question the images are meant to answer.
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica describes pain radiating along the path of the sciatic nerve, usually from irritation or compression of the nerve roots in the lumbar spine, or from tension in the muscles the nerve passes through. Because the source can sit anywhere from the lumbar spine to the pelvis, the assessment covers the whole chain, not just the spot that hurts.
More on sciatica and leg pain →
What if the pain goes down my leg?
Tell us at booking or at the start of the visit. Radiating pain, numbness or weakness gets a neurological screening at your first visit, and if the findings point to something that needs a medical workup, you’ll be referred.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed.
How long is the first visit?
A first visit usually runs up to an hour. It includes a full health history, a posture and movement assessment and a neurological screening, and we talk through what we found before any adjustment. Follow-up visits are shorter.
Can I come in early or on a Saturday?
Yes. Dr. Ben Glass starts at 7:30 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays and is in every Saturday from 7:30 am to 1 pm.
Do you take insurance?
We don’t bill insurance directly. You can use HSA or FSA funds, and we can provide a superbill if you’d like to submit for out-of-network reimbursement yourself. Some employers offer wellness benefits that can help cover chiropractic care. Check with your HR team.
What is the fastest back pain relief?
There’s no shortcut that works for everyone. For new back pain, guidelines start with staying active, heat and keeping up your normal activities as much as you can; bed rest isn’t better than staying active. Most new low back pain improves over time. If it isn’t easing, or you have any warning signs, get it checked. Chiropractic care is one of several non-drug options, and reviews find results similar to other conservative care.
When is back pain an emergency?
Go to an emergency room now if back or leg pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control or trouble starting to urinate, numbness in your groin, inner thighs or buttocks, or weakness in both legs or a foot that’s getting weaker. See a physician soon, not a chiropractor first, if the pain follows a fall or injury with significant force, if you have a fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer, or if the pain is severe at night and doesn’t change with position.
What can I try at home for back pain?
Keep moving: short walks and changing position often. Try heat, such as a heating pad. Keep up your normal activities as much as you can, and if you need to rest, keep it short. If you sit for work, check your chair and screen height. If the pain isn’t easing, or you have any warning signs, get it checked.
