Can Chiropractic Help with Back Pain? | 360 Chiro Clinic, Sheffield

The short answer is yes. Chiropractic care may help some people with back pain, particularly when the problem is related to the joints, muscles and movement of the back. However, it is not suitable for every person or every cause of pain, so a thorough assessment should always come first.

Back pain can affect far more than your back. It may make it difficult to sleep, drive, work, exercise, garden or lift your children. For some people, it appears suddenly after an awkward movement. For others, it develops gradually or keeps returning despite periods of improvement.

In my work as a chiropractor, I commonly see people experiencing:

• sudden lower-back pain;

• recurring episodes of pain or “locking”;

• persistent or chronic lower-back pain;

• morning pain and stiffness;

• back pain aggravated by sitting, driving or work;

• disc-related problems, including disc bulges and herniations; and

• sciatica, which may cause pain, tingling, numbness or weakness into the leg.

  
  

Although these problems may feel similar, they do not necessarily have the same cause. That is why good chiropractic care should begin by understanding the person, rather than moving straight into treatment.

How can chiropractic care help?

Chiropractic care aims to improve movement, reduce pain and help you return to the activities that matter to you. Depending on the assessment findings, care may include:

• chiropractic adjustments;

• joint mobilisation;

• soft-tissue techniques;

• specific rehabilitation exercises;

• advice about movement and lifting;

• education about your condition; and

• practical changes to work, driving and everyday habits.

  
  

Manual treatment is only one part of my approach. Exercise and rehabilitation are important because they help you build strength, restore confidence in movement and manage the problem beyond the treatment room.

This is consistent with current NICE guidance for lower-back pain and sciatica, which says manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, mobilisation and soft-tissue techniques, can be considered as part of a treatment package that includes exercise. NICE also recommends advice to support self-management and continuing with normal activities where appropriate.

Chiropractic care cannot guarantee a particular result, and improvement can differ from one person to another. The likely benefit depends on factors such as the cause of the symptoms, how long they have been present, general health, activity levels and how consistently the agreed plan is followed.

Why does back pain develop?

Back pain does not always result from one significant injury. It may develop through repeated, smaller stresses over time.

Prolonged sitting, frequent driving, physical work, gardening, poor lifting technique and previous injuries may all contribute. Reduced movement, muscular tension, deconditioning, stress and poor sleep can also influence how the back feels and functions. Sometimes one area becomes less mobile or less tolerant of load, causing other joints and muscles to compensate.

This does not mean that posture is always “bad” or that your spine is fragile. The body is strong and adaptable, but repeatedly placing it under more demand than it can currently tolerate may contribute to irritation or recurring flare-ups.

Likewise, a scan showing a disc bulge does not automatically explain somebody’s pain. Imaging findings must be considered alongside the symptoms and physical examination. Many people have age-related changes on scans without experiencing pain, which is why routine imaging is not usually required unless the findings are likely to change clinical management.

What happens during a chiropractic assessment?

At your first visit, I take the time to understand what has happened, learn about your health history and discuss how the problem is affecting your daily life. I also ask what you want to get back to, whether that is sleeping comfortably, returning to work, driving, playing golf or simply putting on your shoes without worrying about your back.

The physical assessment may include:

• movement and range-of-motion testing;

• examination of spinal and joint function;

• muscle strength and functional tests;

• orthopaedic tests; and

• a neurological examination of strength, sensation and reflexes where indicated.

These findings are considered together to build a clinical picture of what may be contributing to the problem. I then explain what I have found in plain English and discuss whether chiropractic care is suitable. If it is, we agree on a plan based on your symptoms, goals and individual needs.

Can chiropractic help with a disc bulge or herniated disc?

A disc bulge or herniation can sometimes irritate a spinal nerve and contribute to back pain, leg pain, numbness or weakness. However, disc changes vary considerably, and the language used in a scan report can sound more alarming than the clinical situation actually is.

Chiropractic care does not simply “put a disc back in.” Where conservative care is appropriate, the goal is to reduce aggravation, restore tolerable movement and gradually improve strength and function. Treatment is adapted to the person and may use gentle mobilisation, manual techniques, exercise and advice about positions or activities that affect the symptoms.

Some disc-related problems require medical assessment or specialist care. Any progressive loss of strength, significant neurological change or other warning sign must be taken seriously.

What results do patients commonly want from care?

Most people want more than a lower pain score. They want to return to their usual activities with greater comfort and confidence.

In practice, I have helped patients work towards outcomes such as moving more freely, sleeping better, driving more comfortably, returning to work and exercise, gardening or playing golf again, and lifting their children with greater confidence. These are meaningful measures of progress because they reflect what someone can do, not only how their back feels on a particular day.

Individual results vary, but the following genuine patient experiences illustrate the type of progress that may be possible.

“Mo has been amazing since my first appointment. Very informative and friendly. I had serious lower back pains, which made driving and even sleeping difficult. I noticed improvements after only 3 sessions and by the end of my treatment plan, I felt like a different person.” - Maxi Wingi

“I went in with lower back pain and shooting pain/numbness down my left leg. This had been going on for months and stopped me sleeping at night. Mo was unbelievable, came up with a plan and after following it weekly I am pain free. He talks you through all the areas being worked on and why.” - Dave G

These testimonials describe the experiences of individual patients and should not be interpreted as a promise that everybody will respond in the same way.

Is chiropractic care safe for everyone?

No treatment is suitable for everybody. A responsible chiropractor should identify when treatment is inappropriate, adapt care when necessary and refer for medical investigation when the symptoms suggest another cause.

Seek urgent medical assessment if back pain is accompanied by:

• new changes to bladder or bowel control;

• numbness around the genitals, buttocks or inner thighs, known as the “saddle” area;

• severe or rapidly worsening weakness in one or both legs;

• symptoms following significant trauma or a suspected fracture;

• fever or feeling systemically unwell;

• unexplained weight loss; or

• severe, unrelenting night pain or other signs of an underlying medical condition.

These symptoms do not always mean that something serious is present, but they require prompt assessment. The NHS also advises checking that any chiropractor you visit is registered with the General Chiropractic Council, as registration is a legal requirement in the UK.

About Mo Jafari

I am a GCC-registered chiropractor and a member of the United Chiropractic Association. I hold an MSc in Chiropractic from AECC University College, as well as an earlier degree in Dental Studies, which helped develop the detailed clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills I use today.

I have a particular interest in acute and persistent musculoskeletal problems. My approach combines careful assessment, appropriate hands-on care, rehabilitation, movement advice and lifestyle support. Most importantly, I take the time to listen, explain what may be happening and help each patient work towards feeling and functioning more like themselves again.

Should you see a chiropractor for back pain?

If back pain is affecting your sleep, work, driving or the activities you enjoy, a chiropractic assessment may help determine what could be contributing and whether conservative care is appropriate.

The purpose of the first visit is not to assume that you need treatment. It is to understand your symptoms, screen for anything requiring referral and give you a clear explanation of the available options.

To arrange an initial consultation with myself at 360 Chiro Clinic in Sheffield, call the clinic or use our online booking page.

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for an individual medical assessment. If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening or accompanied by any of the warning signs above, seek urgent medical advice.