Back pain can disrupt your sleep, your workouts, and your workday. At RESPORT, our chiropractors and physical therapists work together in one Old Town clinic to find what is actually driving your pain and build a plan that fits your body and your goals.
Whether your pain started suddenly or has lingered for months, we combine chiropractic adjustments, targeted physical therapy, and practical lifestyle guidance to help you move better and stay that way.
Back pain has many sources, including muscle strains, irritated joints, herniated discs, arthritis, scoliosis, and stress-related muscle tension. Symptoms range from a dull ache or stiffness to sharp pain, numbness, or tingling. Rest and over-the-counter medication may take the edge off, but lasting relief usually means identifying the source of the problem. Where your pain sits and how it behaves tell us a lot, so here is how we approach the most common presentations.
Sciatica is pain that travels from the low back or buttock down the leg, sometimes with numbness, tingling, or weakness. It typically develops when the sciatic nerve or one of its roots is irritated, often by a disc problem, a tight piriformis muscle, or restricted joints in the low back and pelvis. We identify the source of irritation, then use spinal and pelvic adjustments, soft tissue work, and nerve-friendly movement to ease pressure and restore mobility. Sudden leg weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control needs urgent medical care.
Your lower back carries most of your body’s load, which makes it the most common site of pain. Frequent causes include muscle strains, joint stiffness, poor lifting mechanics, long hours at a desk, and weak core or hip muscles. Treatment often pairs adjustments that restore joint motion with exercises that build the strength and control to protect your spine. If the pain keeps returning, we look at your hips, posture, and daily habits, not just the sore spot.
Pain between the shoulder blades or across the upper back is often tied to posture, desk work, and tension that builds in the neck and shoulders. Stiffness in the thoracic spine and rib joints can also make deep breathing or rotating uncomfortable. We combine thoracic adjustments, massage therapy, and dry needling to release tight muscles, along with posture and ergonomic coaching. If your neck is involved too, see our neck pain care.
Runners, lifters, cyclists, and weekend athletes all put repeated stress on the back. Muscle strains, rotational injuries from golf or tennis, and overuse pain from heavy training are common. Our sports injury rehab programs treat the injury and the movement pattern behind it, and a running gait analysis can uncover mechanics that overload your back mile after mile. The goal is a safe return to your sport, not just a quiet spine.
Bulging or herniated discs can cause deep back pain, leg symptoms, and stiffness after sitting. Many people respond well to conservative care that combines gentle adjustments with targeted rehabilitation. Learn more on our disc injuries page.
When back pain has lasted three months or longer and has not fully responded to rest, adjustments, or exercise, shockwave therapy may help. This non-invasive treatment uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate blood flow and tissue repair in stubborn soft tissue. We often integrate it with chiropractic care and dry needling for chronic low back pain and sciatic irritation. It is not typically recommended for acute injuries, so we evaluate you first to confirm it is the right fit.
Our expert team takes a whole-person approach. We start with the root cause, then build a plan that may include spinal adjustments, therapeutic exercise, soft tissue treatment, and lifestyle counseling on posture, lifting, core strength, and stress. Because your chiropractor and physical therapist work under one roof, your care stays coordinated.
Your first visit includes a thorough evaluation: your history, a physical exam, and range of motion and movement testing to pinpoint what is causing your pain. We then explain what we found and outline a personalized treatment plan. As you progress, we adjust the plan to match how your body responds.
It depends on the cause and severity of your pain. Some people feel relief within a few visits, while others need longer. After your evaluation, we will give you a realistic timeline.
Muscle strains, herniated discs, arthritis, poor posture, improper lifting, and emotional stress are common causes. An exam helps us pinpoint yours.
Chiropractic care may delay the need for surgery for some people, but it depends on your individual circumstances and the severity of your condition. If we see signs you need a surgical or medical opinion, we will refer you.
Chiropractors restore joint mobility, ease tight muscles, and guide lifestyle changes that support your spine.
