Back Pain Treatment in Walnut Creek, California
When Back Pain Starts Changing the Way You Move Through Your Day
You bend down to put on your shoes and your back catches.
Standing up after sitting takes a moment.
You find yourself shifting positions during a meeting because you can't get comfortable.
Maybe driving bothers you. Walking feels different. Working out doesn't feel right. Or getting out of bed has suddenly become something you have to think about.
Sometimes back pain is a constant ache.
Sometimes it's sharp.
Sometimes it's stiffness or tightness.
And sometimes the pain doesn't stay in your back at all—it travels into your buttock or leg.
At Stojanovich Chiropractic in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. evaluates back pain to determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
Because “back pain” describes what you're experiencing.
The next question is:
What's contributing to it?
What Can Cause Back Pain?
There isn't one single cause of back pain.
Muscles, joints, discs, nerves, surrounding soft tissues, injuries, age-related changes, repetitive activities, prolonged positions, and other factors may all play a role.
Sometimes back pain begins after an obvious event.
You lifted something.
You fell.
You worked in the yard all weekend.
You increased your workouts.
You were involved in a car accident.
Other times, there's no dramatic moment at all.
Your back simply becomes uncomfortable over time.
And sometimes imaging shows changes in the spine that may or may not be related to the symptoms you're experiencing.
That's why Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. evaluates the person rather than assuming every painful back has the same cause.
What Does Back Pain Feel Like?
Back pain can show up in many different ways.
You may notice:
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A dull or persistent ache
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Sharp pain with certain movements
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Stiffness or tightness
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Muscle discomfort
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Pain while bending or lifting
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Discomfort after sitting or standing
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Pain when transitioning from sitting to standing
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Symptoms around the lower back or buttock
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Pain traveling into a leg
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Tingling or numbness
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Weakness in some cases
Where the symptoms occur, what they feel like, and what makes them better or worse can provide useful information during your evaluation.
Lower Back Pain: Why Is It So Common?
Your lower back participates in an enormous amount of everyday movement.
Sitting, standing, bending, lifting, walking, exercising, driving, working, gardening, golfing, and even getting dressed involve the lumbar spine and surrounding muscles and joints.
That doesn't mean these activities are inherently harmful.
The back is designed to move.
But injuries, sudden changes in activity, repetitive demands, prolonged positions, underlying musculoskeletal conditions, and other individual factors can contribute to lower-back symptoms.
Rather than avoiding movement out of fear, the goal is to understand what appears to be aggravating your particular condition.
Why Does My Back Hurt When I Sit?
Some people notice their back pain most when sitting.
A long commute, hours at a computer, air travel, or even relaxing on the couch may become uncomfortable.
Others feel worse when standing or walking.
The fact that a particular position aggravates your symptoms can provide useful information, but it doesn't establish a diagnosis by itself.
If sitting consistently bothers your back, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can consider your movement, symptom pattern, musculoskeletal findings, workstation or activity demands, and other relevant factors.
Why Does My Back Hurt When I Bend or Lift?
Bending and lifting are normal human movements.
Having back pain doesn't automatically mean you should stop doing them permanently.
But when a particular movement repeatedly produces pain, it's worth understanding why.
Your symptoms may be influenced by the load you're handling, how frequently you're performing the activity, a recent injury, your current tolerance, or an underlying musculoskeletal condition.
During an evaluation, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can look at which movements reproduce your symptoms and how your back is functioning rather than simply telling you never to bend or lift.
Back Pain That Travels Into the Buttock or Leg
When back pain begins traveling into the buttock or leg, patients often wonder whether they have sciatica.
Sometimes they do.
Sciatica describes a pattern of symptoms involving the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that contribute to it.
Depending on what's involved, symptoms may include:
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Shooting leg pain
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Burning
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Tingling
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Pins and needles
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Numbness
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Pain extending toward the calf or foot
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Weakness in some cases
But not every painful leg is sciatica.
And not every person with sciatica experiences significant back pain.
An examination can help determine whether nerve involvement appears likely and whether additional evaluation is needed.
Can a Herniated Disc Cause Back Pain?
Yes. A herniated or bulging disc may be associated with back pain and, when a nearby nerve root is affected, symptoms extending into the leg.
But a disc finding on an MRI doesn't automatically explain someone's pain.
Disc changes can also be found in people who aren't experiencing symptoms.
That's why Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. considers imaging findings alongside your history, symptoms, physical examination, and neurological findings rather than treating an MRI report in isolation.
Is My Back Pain a Pinched Nerve?
Maybe, but pain alone doesn't tell us that.
When a nerve root is irritated or compressed, someone may experience radiating pain, tingling, numbness, burning, altered sensation, or weakness.
But back pain without those symptoms can have many other musculoskeletal causes.
And even when neurological symptoms are present, evaluation is necessary to determine where the nerve may be affected and what might be contributing.
Back Pain After a Car Accident or Injury
Back pain can develop after an auto accident, fall, sports injury, lifting injury, or other trauma.
Sometimes symptoms begin immediately.
Other times discomfort becomes more noticeable later.
If your back pain began after an accident or injury, tell Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. exactly what happened, when symptoms began, whether they've changed, and whether you're experiencing leg pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or other symptoms.
Depending on the nature of the injury and examination findings, imaging or additional medical evaluation may be appropriate.
What Happens During a Back Pain Chiropractic Evaluation?
Your visit starts with understanding what you're experiencing.
Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. may ask:
When did your back pain begin?
Was there an injury?
Where exactly do you feel it?
Does the pain stay in your back or travel?
Does sitting bother you?
What about standing or walking?
Does bending or lifting reproduce the pain?
Do you have tingling or numbness?
Have you noticed weakness?
Does coughing or sneezing affect your symptoms?
What activities are you having difficulty doing?
Have you had previous back injuries?
Have you already had X-rays, MRI, or other imaging?
Your examination may include assessment of spinal and lower-extremity movement, musculoskeletal function, strength, sensation, reflexes, and other neurological findings when appropriate.
The goal isn't simply to confirm that your back hurts.
It's to understand the clinical picture and determine the appropriate next step.
Do I Need an X-Ray or MRI for Back Pain?
Not everyone with back pain needs imaging.
Whether X-rays, MRI, or another diagnostic study is appropriate depends on your history, symptoms, injury history, neurological findings, severity, progression, and other clinical considerations.
If Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. believes imaging is appropriate, he can discuss the next step or refer you for diagnostic imaging when necessary.
If you've already had imaging related to your back, bring the available reports and images with you.
Chiropractic Care for Back Pain
Chiropractic care may be appropriate for many musculoskeletal causes of back pain.
But there isn't one adjustment or treatment plan that's right for everyone.
Dr. Stojanovich considers your symptoms, examination findings, health history, previous injuries, neurological findings, activity goals, and individual tolerance when determining whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
When it is, treatment may include chiropractic techniques and other supportive approaches selected for the individual condition.
The goal isn't simply to “put your back back into alignment.”
It's to provide appropriate musculoskeletal care based on what your evaluation reveals.
More Than an Adjustment: Supportive Therapies for Back Pain
Depending on your condition and examination findings, supportive therapies may sometimes be incorporated into your care.
Stojanovich Chiropractic offers several therapeutic modalities, including:
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Intersegmental traction
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Therapeutic ultrasound
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Cold laser therapy
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Red light therapy
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Other appropriate supportive therapies
Not every patient needs every therapy.
And you shouldn't have to figure out whether you need an adjustment, traction, laser, ultrasound, or something else before you make an appointment.
That's what the evaluation is for.
Can Intersegmental Traction Help Back Pain?
Intersegmental traction may be considered for certain spinal conditions, including some presentations involving disc or nerve-related symptoms.
But traction isn't appropriate for every patient with back pain.
Whether it makes sense depends on the condition being addressed, examination findings, neurological symptoms, health history, and other clinical factors.
Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can determine whether mechanical traction belongs in your individualized treatment plan.
Should I Rest or Keep Moving With Back Pain?
When your back hurts, it's understandable to want to stop moving altogether.
But complete inactivity isn't automatically the answer.
The amount and type of activity that's appropriate depends on the nature and severity of your condition.
Some people can continue comfortable everyday movement with modifications. Others may need to temporarily change certain activities, particularly after an acute injury.
The goal is not to push through severe symptoms or become afraid to move.
An evaluation can help you make more informed decisions about activity based on your individual situation.
Back Pain and an Active Lifestyle
Back pain can be especially frustrating when being active is an important part of your life.
Maybe you want to return to strength training.
Golf without thinking about your back on every swing.
Hike.
Garden.
Travel.
Pick up your children or grandchildren.
Or simply get through a full workday comfortably.
Your goals matter.
Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. considers not only what's hurting but also what you're trying to get back to doing.
When Back Pain Needs Prompt Medical Attention
Certain back pain symptoms require prompt or emergency medical evaluation.
Seek appropriate medical attention for symptoms such as:
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New loss of bladder or bowel control
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Numbness around the groin, inner thighs, or saddle area
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Severe or rapidly progressing leg weakness
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Significant difficulty walking or coordinating movement
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Severe pain following major trauma
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Significant or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms
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Back pain associated with severe illness, fever, or other concerning systemic symptoms
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Other sudden, severe, or unusual changes
These symptoms shouldn't be treated as routine back pain or something to simply wait out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Back Pain
Why Does My Lower Back Hurt?
Lower-back pain has many possible causes involving muscles, joints, discs, nerves, injuries, activity changes, and other factors. An evaluation can help determine what appears relevant to your symptoms.
Why Does My Back Hurt When I Sit?
Some back conditions are aggravated by prolonged sitting, but sitting-related pain doesn't point to one diagnosis. Your symptom pattern and examination findings provide additional information.
Why Does My Back Hurt When I Stand Up After Sitting?
Transitions between positions can sometimes aggravate musculoskeletal back pain. Persistent or significant symptoms deserve evaluation rather than assuming they're simply part of getting older.
Why Does My Back Hurt When I Bend Over?
Pain with bending can occur for several reasons. The movement itself isn't inherently dangerous, but repeated pain with a particular movement can provide useful information during an evaluation.
Can Back Problems Cause Leg Pain?
Yes. Certain spinal conditions can affect nerve roots and contribute to symptoms extending into the buttock or leg.
Is Pain Down My Leg Always Sciatica?
No. Sciatica is one possible cause of radiating leg symptoms, but leg pain can have many other causes.
Can a Herniated Disc Cause Lower-Back Pain?
Yes. A herniated disc can be associated with lower-back pain or nerve-related leg symptoms, but disc findings on imaging don't always cause symptoms.
How Do I Know if My Back Pain Is a Pinched Nerve?
Nerve-related symptoms may include radiating pain, tingling, numbness, burning, changes in sensation, or weakness. Examination is needed to determine whether nerve involvement appears likely.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Back Pain?
Chiropractic care may be appropriate for many musculoskeletal causes of back pain. The appropriate approach depends on the patient's history, examination findings, symptoms, and individual condition.
Can Traction Help Lower-Back Pain?
Intersegmental traction may be considered for certain spinal conditions but isn't appropriate for every patient with back pain.
Do I Need an X-Ray or MRI for Back Pain?
Not automatically. Imaging decisions depend on symptoms, history, trauma, neurological findings, severity, progression, and other clinical considerations.
Should I Exercise With Back Pain?
That depends on the condition and severity of your symptoms. Comfortable movement may be appropriate for many people, while certain activities may need temporary modification.
When Should I Worry About Back Pain?
Back pain accompanied by new bladder or bowel problems, saddle-area numbness, progressive weakness, major neurological changes, significant trauma, or severe illness requires prompt medical attention.
Looking for Back Pain Treatment in Walnut Creek, California?
If back pain is making it harder to sit, stand, bend, work, exercise, drive, sleep, or enjoy your normal activities, you don't have to diagnose the problem yourself.
You also don't have to decide whether you need an adjustment, traction, imaging, or another type of care before you come in.
Start with an evaluation.
With more than 27 years in practice, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. provides individualized chiropractic and musculoskeletal care for patients with back pain in Walnut Creek and surrounding Contra Costa County and East Bay communities.
Contact Stojanovich Chiropractic to schedule a back pain evaluation and determine the appropriate next step for your care.
