Chiropractor for Back Pain in Kingsport, TN
Go to the ER or call 911 if back pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, new weakness in a leg, fever, unexplained weight loss, or severe pain after a fall or crash. These need a medical evaluation first, not a chiropractic visit.
What causes back pain?
Most back pain starts with load the back wasn't ready for. Common triggers:
- •Lifting with a rounded back, or lifting something heavier or farther from your body than usual
- •Long stretches of sitting, driving or standing in one position
- •A sudden twist, slip or awkward reach
- •A jump in training: more miles, heavier weights, a new sport
- •An old injury that never fully recovered
Stiff hips, weak trunk muscles and poor sleep make all of these more likely. Discs can also be a source of pain, sometimes with symptoms into the leg; that's covered on our herniated disc and sciatica pages. And some pain felt in the low back actually comes from the hip, which is why hip pain is part of the exam.
How long does back pain last?
Many new episodes of low back pain improve a lot within a few weeks, whatever the treatment. That's good news, but it also means two things. First, staying moving usually beats bed rest. Second, if pain hangs on past six weeks, keeps coming back, or limits work and sleep, it's worth an exam to find out what's keeping it going.
How chiropractic care may help back pain
Care is usually a combination, not a single technique:
- •Chiropractic adjustments to restore motion in stiff spinal and pelvic joints
- •Soft tissue work, such as instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization or dry needling, for muscles that stay guarded and tight
- •Corrective exercise so the trunk and hips can handle the load that caused the problem
- •Practical changes to how you lift, sit, sleep and train
Results vary from person to person. If Dr. Douglas doesn't expect you to respond to chiropractic care, he'll tell you early and help you find the right next step.
What to expect at Elevate Sport and Spine
Your first visit runs 30 to 45 minutes. Dr. Douglas goes through your history and what you've already tried, then examines your spine, hips and movement and runs nerve and strength checks. X-rays are taken on site only when they're clinically needed. You leave knowing what he found, what he recommends, how often, and what it should cost. More on your first visit.
Follow-up visits take 15 to 30 minutes. Progress is re-checked along the way, and the plan changes, or you're referred out, if you're not improving as expected.
Is chiropractic care safe for back pain?
For mechanical low back pain, spinal manipulation by a licensed chiropractor is generally considered low risk. Mild soreness for a day or two after the first visits is the most common side effect. Some conditions make manipulation a poor choice, including fractures, infections, tumors and advanced osteoporosis; the exam screens for these, and gentler techniques such as Activator or drop table adjustments are available when a standard adjustment isn't a good fit.
Back pain care in Kingsport
Dr. Douglas is a Certified Athletic Trainer as well as a chiropractor, so he's interested in what you were doing, or stopped doing, before the pain started. That might be a warehouse shift, a long drive on I-81, a golf swing, a new gym routine or a desk that's set up wrong. The plan targets that, so the pain is less likely to come back.
Common Questions
Clinical Sources & Guidelines
- Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, Forciea MA. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2017;166(7):514-530.
Ready to be seen?
Call 423-239-9122 or book online. We don't take walk-ins, but most new patients are seen within a week, and we check your insurance benefits before your first visit.