Back pain

Back pain: common, but treatable

Back pain is something many people experience, no matter their age. While it can be worrying, most cases are not caused by anything serious. Understanding what's going on can help you feel more in control and ready to manage it.

​

Serious Causes of Back Pain: Rare But Important to Identify

Less than 1% of back pain comes from serious conditions like fractures, infections, large disc herniations, or tumours. These conditions are usually easy to spot through tests like X-rays or MRIs and show clear symptoms. If we think something more serious is causing your pain, we’ll refer you for the right tests and treatment.

​

Nerve-Related Back Pain

About 5% of back pain happens when a nerve is compressed, like with sciatica or a trapped nerve in the back. This can occur when a bulging disc or narrow nerve passage presses on a nerve, causing pain that might travel down the leg. Other symptoms and signs can include numbness, tingling, weakness, or changes in reflexes.

That said, not all pain that radiates or feels sharp is nerve-related. Muscles and joints in the back can also cause pain that spreads to other parts of the body, often feeling like nerve pain. This is why it’s important to get a thorough assessment from a registered chiropractor. We can help figure out if the pain is coming from muscles, joints, or nerves, and recommend the right treatment for you.

​

Non-Specific Back Pain

Around 95% of back pain is defined as ‘non-specific low back pain’. This means it’s usually caused by muscle strains, joint irritation, or ligament sprains. It can happen from too much or too little movement, or from awkward postures or repetitive motions. Thankfully, this type of pain responds well to treatment. We have several approaches to help, including:
• Spinal manipulation
• Massage and soft tissue therapy
• Vibration therapy
• Taping
• Exercise programs
• Advice on activity and lifestyle changes

​

How Long Does Back Pain Last?

Most people start feeling much better within about six weeks, even without treatment, and continue to improve slowly after that. However, over 50% of people still have some pain a year later. That’s why it’s important to get assessed early and create a personalized treatment plan to avoid long-term discomfort. For those with chronic back pain, there’s still a lot we can do to help. The focus shifts from trying to "fix" the spine to calming an overly sensitive nervous system. This approach helps reduce pain and improve function, even with long-lasting issues.

​

If you’re dealing with back pain, we’re here to help identify what’s causing it, ease your pain, and get you back to full function. If you after some free advice to apply at home, check out our low back pain guide here