Conditions We Treat · Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain Treatment in Logansport, IN

Q: Do I need imaging (X-ray or MRI) for low back pain?

Not always. Imaging is more likely if there was significant trauma, progressive weakness or numbness, bowel/bladder changes, fever/systemic symptoms, suspected fracture, or if symptoms aren’t improving as expected. We’ll tell you clearly if imaging or medical evaluation is needed.

Calm the flare-up, restore motion, and rebuild strength — with a clear plan.

Movement-based exam to find your exact pain pattern

Clear flare-up plan for sitting, bending, lifting, and sleep

Progress markers + home steps so you know what to do between visits

Low back pain can show up as tightness, sharp “catches,” or pain that makes you guard every move. We start with a movement-based exam to identify your pattern, reduce irritation, and build a plan you can actually follow. If your symptoms overlap with sciatica, disc herniation & degeneration, work & lifting injuries, or hip pain, we’ll connect the dots and outline the simplest next steps.

Schedule an evaluation Contact & Location

Clear explanation + options before hands-on care
Support beyond the table: mobility, strengthening, and simple home steps
Honest direction — including referrals when needed

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Written by:Dr. Tyler M. Graham, DC

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Clinically reviewed by:Balanced Chiropractic Clinical Team

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Last updated:December 31, 2025

Educational only. Not medical advice. If symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or you suspect an emergency, seek urgent care.

Low Back Pain: What It Usually Feels Like (and Why It Happens)

Most low back pain is mechanical—meaning it’s related to joints, discs, muscles, and how the area is handling load.

Common patterns we see

Tightness and stiffness after sitting, driving, or first thing in the morning
Sharp “catches” with bending, lifting, or twisting
Pain that refers into the hip or buttock (sometimes overlaps with sciatica)
Soreness after activity or a sudden increase in lifting/work load
Better with movement and worse with long sitting blocks (very common)

The goal is to identify your specific pattern (disc, joint, muscle/strain, referred pain), calm irritation, and rebuild tolerance so daily life feels normal again.

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How We Help Low Back Pain

We focus on calming the flare-up, restoring motion, and rebuilding strength so your back can handle real life again.

Movement Exam + Safety Screen

We assess range of motion, triggers, and nerve function so the plan is targeted and appropriate.

Hands-On Care Matched to You

When appropriate, we use targeted care to reduce protective tension and restore joint motion—always based on your exam and tolerance.

Home Plan + Progress Markers

Simple mobility/strength steps and clear markers so you know what “better” looks like between visits.

Common goals we build toward

Less pain with sitting, standing, bending, and lifting
Safer lifting strategies for work (see Work & Lifting Injuries)
Less leg referral and more confident walking (see Sciatica Treatment)
A plan for disc-related patterns (see Disc Herniation & Degeneration)
Understanding options like spinal decompression when appropriate

What to expect Explore services →

Low Back Pain Flare-Up Basics: What Usually Helps

Most flare-ups respond best to a short-term “calm it down” strategy — then a gradual return to strength and normal activity.

Simple guardrails

Break up sitting: short, frequent movement beats long sitting blocks.
Modify bending/lifting: hinge at hips and avoid repeated end-range flexion if it flares symptoms.
Walk if tolerated: gentle walking is often one of the best “first moves.”
Use the 24-hour rule: if you’re worse the next day, scale volume back.
Sleep positions matter: we’ll show you options that reduce irritation.

Your best plan depends on your movement preference and triggers. We’ll tailor this based on your exam so you’re not guessing.

Low Back Pain FAQs

Clear answers — including “when to worry.”

What is the most common cause of low back pain?

Most low back pain is mechanical—meaning it’s related to joints, discs, muscles, and how the area is moving and tolerating load. Common triggers include prolonged sitting, lifting, bending, a sudden increase in activity, or a simple “wrong move.”

How do I know if my low back pain is a disc issue?

Disc-related patterns often feel worse with prolonged sitting and repeated bending, and may improve with walking or changing positions. Sometimes pain refers into the buttock or leg. A movement exam and nerve screen help clarify what’s most likely driving your symptoms.

Is it safe to exercise with low back pain?

Often, yes—when exercises are matched to your pattern and you stay within tolerable limits. We typically start with movements that reduce irritation, then progress strength and capacity so your back can handle normal life again.

Do I need imaging (X-ray or MRI)?

Not always. Imaging is more likely with significant trauma, progressive weakness or numbness, bowel/bladder changes, fever/systemic symptoms, suspected fracture, or symptoms that aren’t improving as expected. We’ll tell you clearly if imaging or medical evaluation is needed.

Can chiropractic help low back pain?

Many people improve with conservative care when it’s matched to the cause and pattern of pain. We may use hands-on care, mobility work, and a simple home plan to reduce irritation and restore confident movement.

What should I avoid during a flare-up?

Avoid pushing through movements that sharply worsen symptoms—especially repeated bending, heavy lifting, and long sitting blocks early on. We’ll give you specific guardrails based on what your exam shows and what your back tolerates best.

How long does it take to feel better?

It varies. Many flare-ups improve noticeably within days to a couple weeks with the right plan; persistent cases can take longer depending on load, stress, sleep, and how long symptoms have been present. We focus on quick wins first, then rebuilding strength and tolerance.

When should I worry and seek urgent medical care?

Seek urgent care for new bowel/bladder changes, saddle numbness, rapidly worsening weakness, severe unrelenting pain with fever, symptoms after major trauma, or any rapidly worsening neurologic symptoms.

Low Back Pain