Lower Back Pain Treatment in Vancouver

Chiropractic Assessment & Care for Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints and can range from a mild ache or stiffness to pain that significantly interferes with work, exercise, sleep and everyday activities.

At Dr. Michael Horowitz & Associates, our Vancouver chiropractors assess patients with lower back pain to help determine what may be contributing to their symptoms and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.

If you are looking for a chiropractor for lower back pain in Vancouver, an appropriate assessment can help identify relevant musculoskeletal or neurological findings and guide your treatment options.

To book a lower back pain assessment:
Call 604-733-7744 or book a chiropractic appointment online.

What Causes Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain can have many possible causes and contributing factors. In some patients, symptoms begin after a particular movement or injury. In others, pain develops gradually without one obvious event.

Factors associated with lower back symptoms may include:

• Muscle or soft-tissue strain
• Joint irritation or reduced mobility
• A bulging or herniated disc
• Nerve irritation
• Degenerative changes involving the spine
• Prolonged sitting or repetitive activities
• Lifting or changes in physical workload
• Sports or recreational activities
• Motor vehicle collisions
• Previous injuries or episodes of back pain

Because lower back pain can have different causes and contributing factors, treatment should be based on the individual patient rather than assuming that every episode of back pain is the same.

Common Lower Back Pain Symptoms

Lower back problems can present in different ways, including:

• Aching or stiffness across the lower back
• Sharp pain with certain movements
• Pain aggravated by sitting, standing, bending or lifting
• Difficulty moving comfortably after prolonged sitting or rest
• Pain extending into the buttock or leg
• Numbness or tingling when a nerve is involved
• Reduced tolerance for work, exercise or everyday activities

The location, onset and behaviour of your symptoms can provide useful information during an assessment.

Chiropractic Assessment for Lower Back Pain

When you visit our Vancouver chiropractic clinic for lower back pain, the first step is understanding your symptoms, health history and how the problem is affecting your daily activities.

Your assessment may include discussion of:

• When and how your pain began
• Where the symptoms are located
• Whether pain travels into the buttock or leg
• Whether numbness, tingling or weakness is present
• Movements or positions that aggravate or relieve your symptoms
• Previous injuries or episodes of back pain
• Your work, exercise and daily activities

The physical examination may assess spinal movement, mobility, strength and neurological function when appropriate.

If your history or examination suggests that medical investigation, imaging or another type of assessment may be appropriate, we can discuss referral rather than simply proceeding with treatment.

Watch: Understanding Lower Back Pain

Can Chiropractic Care Help With Lower Back Pain?

Chiropractic care may be appropriate for some people experiencing lower back pain, depending on the nature of the problem and the findings of their assessment.

Treatment is individualized. Depending on your presentation, chiropractic management may include:

• Manual therapy
• Joint mobilization or manipulation when appropriate
• Soft-tissue techniques
• Mobility and range-of-motion exercises
• Progressive strengthening exercises
• Advice about activities or movements that may aggravate symptoms
• Recommendations concerning movement, work or exercise when relevant

The goal is to improve movement and function while addressing relevant musculoskeletal factors. Treatment recommendations are based on your individual findings rather than applying the same approach to every person with back pain.

If another type of care or further medical assessment appears more appropriate, we can discuss that with you.

Lower Back Pain and Sciatica

Lower back pain and sciatica can occur together, but they are not the same condition. Sciatica generally describes symptoms associated with irritation of the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that contribute to it.

Symptoms may extend from the lower back or buttock into the thigh, lower leg or foot. Some people with sciatica experience surprisingly little lower-back pain.

Learn more about Sciatica Treatment in Vancouver.

Lower Back Pain and Bulging or Herniated Discs

A bulging or herniated lumbar disc is one possible contributor to lower-back or leg symptoms, particularly when a nearby nerve root becomes irritated.

However, disc changes can also appear on imaging in people without pain. Imaging findings therefore need to be considered together with your symptoms and physical examination rather than interpreted in isolation.

Learn more about Bulging and Herniated Disc Treatment in Vancouver.

Lower Back Pain and a Pinched Nerve

When nerve irritation is involved, lower-back symptoms may be accompanied by pain, numbness, tingling or weakness extending into the buttock or leg.

These symptoms can have different causes, so assessment is important rather than assuming that all radiating pain represents a pinched nerve.

Learn more about Pinched Nerve Treatment in Vancouver.

Lower Back Pain After a Car Accident

Motor vehicle collisions can result in lower-back pain as well as neck and other musculoskeletal symptoms. Pain may begin immediately following the collision or become more noticeable afterward.

If your back pain began following a motor vehicle accident, assessment can help identify relevant findings and determine an appropriate management approach.

If you have an ICBC claim, visit our ICBC Chiropractor Vancouver page for information about chiropractic treatment, eligibility and direct billing.

If your accident also resulted in neck pain or stiffness, see our Whiplash Treatment in Vancouver page.

Exercise and Movement for Lower Back Pain

Appropriate movement and exercise can be important components of managing many types of lower back pain.

There is no single stretch or exercise program that is appropriate for every person. Exercise selection should take into account your symptoms, abilities, examination findings and response to movement.

Watch: Lower Back Mobility & Exercise

When Lower Back Pain Needs Prompt Medical Attention

Most episodes of lower back pain do not represent a medical emergency. However, certain symptoms require prompt medical assessment.

Seek urgent medical attention for symptoms such as:

• New loss of bladder or bowel control
• Numbness around the groin or saddle region
• Significant or rapidly progressing muscle weakness
• Severe back pain following major trauma
• Other significant or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms

Other circumstances may also warrant medical assessment. If you are concerned about new, severe or unexplained symptoms, obtaining appropriate medical evaluation is preferable to ignoring them.

Lower Back Pain Treatment FAQ

Can a chiropractor assess lower back pain?

Yes. Chiropractors assess musculoskeletal conditions involving the lower back and related areas. An assessment can help identify relevant findings and determine whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate or whether another form of assessment should be considered.

What happens during a chiropractic back pain assessment?

Your chiropractor will discuss your symptoms and health history and may assess spinal movement, joint and muscle function, strength and neurological findings when appropriate. The examination is adapted to your symptoms and circumstances.

What if my lower back pain travels down my leg?

Pain extending from the lower back or buttock into the leg may have several possible causes. Sciatica and irritation of a spinal nerve are possibilities, but symptoms alone do not establish the cause. An assessment can help determine appropriate next steps.

Do I need an X-ray or MRI for lower back pain?

Not every episode of lower back pain requires imaging. Whether imaging or further medical investigation is appropriate depends on factors such as your history, symptoms and examination findings.

Can lower back pain occur after a car accident?

Yes. Motor vehicle collisions can result in lower-back and other musculoskeletal symptoms. If your symptoms began following a collision, assessment can help determine the appropriate next steps.

How long does lower back pain take to improve?

Recovery varies considerably depending on the nature of the problem, the severity and duration of symptoms, health factors and individual circumstances. Your response to activity and treatment can also help guide ongoing management.

Looking for a Back Pain Chiropractor in Vancouver?

If lower back pain is interfering with your work, exercise, sleep or everyday activities, an assessment can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms.

At Dr. Michael Horowitz & Associates, our Vancouver chiropractors assess patients with lower back pain and related musculoskeletal complaints and make treatment recommendations based on individual findings.

New patients are welcome.

Hycroft Chiropractic & Massage
Dr. Michael Horowitz & Associates
Suite 114 - 3195 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 3K2
Phone: 604-733-7744
Email: info@vancouverchiropractic.net

Book Your Chiropractic Appointment Online

Or call 604-733-7744