Low back pain is one of the most common reasons patients come through our office. Roughly 80% of adults are affected by some type of low back pain that can affect their home life and even work. For some, this happens after a single incident, or it is one of those pains that just do not go away, as they have in the past. Either way, your low back pain is something we specialize in, and it can be managed through chiropractic care.
Our lower backs are meant to move in multiple directions, but our bodies are built to the demands we put on them. We can become vulnerable if we are constantly avoiding movements, stuck working behind a desk, or driving hours on end. The lower back is subject to tremendous loads, and excessive stress is placed on the soft tissue surrounding the lumbar spine. This stress may lead to ligament sprains or muscular strains. In our severe cases, patients have managed to disrupt the layers of their discs. This can lead to what we commonly know as sciatica.
In our lower back, we have muscles, ligaments, joints, and discs that help stabilize and move our spine. When any of these structures are injured, our body sends pain signals to prevent us from continuously aggravating the injury site. Unfortunately, it is not just one tissue that is affected; rather, a combination of issues is involved.
Seeking treatment early can make a huge difference in your recovery. Whenever you wait for things to get better, small issues will turn into long-lasting problems as your body becomes accustomed to the compensations it has built. The sooner we can restore better movement and function, the easier it will be to reduce your pain, prevent abnormal movement patterns, and most importantly, get you back to doing what you love most. The goal isn’t just temporary relief or a band-aid, but helping your body’s overall ability to move and function the way it was meant to.
$67 New Patient Special
Includes consultation, examination & x-rays (if necessary). First adjustment not included.
How Our Low Back Pain Care Plan Works
Get Out Of Pain
We pride ourselves on getting to the root cause of the issue to get you out of pain and keep you that way. Each chiropractor takes their time to really listen to and address each of your concerns.
Corrective Care
Structural problems demand structural solutions. Our care is designed to address the spinal misalignments and postural distortions that are causing your symptoms for long-term pain relief.
Find Stability
We aren’t interested in masking your symptoms. We’re committed to long-term well-being so you can take control of your life and be prepared for anything that comes your way.
How We Treat Low Back Pain in Midland, TX
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
During your first visit, we will take our time to understand what brought you into our clinic. We are going to take our time to understand better your presentation and how it is affecting your everyday life. Afterward, we will perform a detailed exam to evaluate the quality of your movement and posture, and discuss any activities that may be contributing to your low back pain. Doing this will help us make an accurate diagnosis and ensure our treatment is specific to your presentation.
Accuracy is important because low back pain is not as straightforward as most believe. By identifying the true source of your low back pain, we can create a treatment plan tailored to you.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Midland, TX
A subluxation is when two or more vertebrae of the spine are restricted and are not able to glide properly. This joint restriction can lead to increased pain, increased inflammation, and reduced range of motion in that segment. In severe cases, this can be debilitating and prevent you from living an active lifestyle. With our adjustments, we are able to be specific based on the exam findings and our X-ray findings. These specific adjustments allow us to clear the joint restriction, thus alleviating your pain and inflammation, and increasing your range of motion. Chiropractic care is a valuable tool because it promotes movement early on in your treatment.
Digital X-rays
Digital X-rays are a valuable tool for evaluating low back pain; they provide a clear view of the spine’s structure and alignment. They help identify any underlying conditions, such as arthritis, abnormal curvatures, fractures, or any signs of an old injury that may contribute to your pain. X-rays are safe and only use a minimal amount of radiation; we only recommend them when necessary. This imaging allows us to be more specific in our treatment, focusing on the areas that need more attention.
Spinal Decompression
Your intervertebral disc is like a cushion for your spine, acting as a shock absorber. The disc has a tough outer layer that surrounds a soft gel center. A healthy disc helps distribute pressure and maintains proper spacing between your vertebrae. This spacing allows the nerves of your lower back to exit freely without any irritation.
Over time or because of an injury, your disc can begin to degenerate, create a disc bulge, or even a herniation. When this happens, pressure can be applied to nearby nerves, and the body becomes sensitive to certain movements, leading to pain and stiffness. With our severe cases, we see pain that begins in the lower back and will refer down the leg.
Deep Tissue Laser
Deep tissue laser is a non-invasive treatment that uses laser energy to speed up healing and reduce inflammation in the deep tissue layers of the body. We sometimes use this method to treat lower back pain and other musculoskeletal problems like arthritis, tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis.
Common Causes of Low Back Pain in Midland, TX
Bulged or Herniated Discs
A disc bulge and disc herniation are conditions that affect the intervertebral discs. With a bulging disc, the outer layers of the disc will weaken and “bulge” outward. Whereas disc herniations involve tearing of the outer layers, this will cause the inner gel material to push towards the nerve roots. As a result, disc herniations are more sensitive to certain movements. Disc herniations typically cause a sharp burning pain that can radiate from your lower back to the back side of your leg. On top of the pain, you may feel numbness, tingling, and or weakness in the affected leg.
The best tool we offer for disc herniation is non-surgical decompression therapy. This helps alleviate the pressure that is on the disc and nerves. It also helps hydrate the disc, promoting better healing. Pairing decompression therapy with chiropractic adjustments has given us the best results when treating a disc bulge or herniation.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) occurs when the intervertebral disc wears down over time due to natural aging, repetitive stress, and a history of previous injuries. DDD means that the intervertebral discs are thinning, leading to decreased shock absorption and increased stress on the surrounding joints. As this happens, the disc may develop small tears and become prone to herniations.
This can affect the body by causing chronic low back pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. In more severe cases, patients may experience numbness, tingling, or weakness. We can treat this with chiropractic adjustments, decompression therapy, and cold laser therapy.
Muscle Strain
When a muscle is strained, its fibers are either overstretched or torn. This commonly happens when someone lifts a heavy object incorrectly, overuses a muscle, or experiences a sudden movement they were not ready for. Most muscle strains can heal naturally over time. The severity of the strain dictates how long it will take to heal. At 1-Spine Chiropractic, the goal is to help the body heal more efficiently. The pain in the muscle you are feeling is likely in your lower back. This is why having a detailed examination done is important for the outcomes of your injury.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SI Joint Pain)
The sacroiliac joint is where your sacrum and ilium (hip bone) meet. It is responsible for forming the base of your spinal column and allows motion in the pelvis during certain movements. If you have SI joint dysfunction, it means there is a restriction in this joint, preventing it from moving or functioning properly. This dysfunction can present as an ache or “catch” in your low back, glute, and thighs. The best treatment we offer at 1-Spine for SI Joint dysfunction is the chiropractic adjustment.
Facet Joint Dysfunction
The facet joints are the parts of your vertebrae that connect one to the other. They allow movement in the spine, specifically for bending forward and leaning back. When the facet joints are affected, they can cause limitation of motion due to pain that can refer to your shoulder blade and shoulder. We can treat facet syndrome by performing specific chiropractic adjustments that promote better movement along the facets.
Check Out Our Location Near You
4425 W Wadley Ave Ste 200, Midland, TX 79707
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I be worried about lower back pain?
If the pain has been persistent for more than a week, you should consult your chiropractor.
What causes lower back pain?
Unfortunately, low back pain can be caused by many things. It’s usually not one incident that causes it, but a buildup of faulty movement mechanics.
How do I tell if lower back pain is muscle or disc-related?
You can tell if your low back pain is muscle- or disc-related by where the pain is. Typically, disc-related pain will refer from your lower back to your leg. For the most part, muscle pain will be localized to the injured muscle.
Can a Chiropractor in Midland, TX, help with lower back pain?
Yes! A chiropractor is the best person you could see for low back pain.
What is better for lower back pain: a chiropractor or a massage?
A chiropractor would be the best option for low back pain. As chiropractors, we can treat more than just muscles. We can address the joints of your lower back and hips.
$67 New Patient Special
Includes consultation, examination & x-rays (if necessary). First adjustment not included.