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Back Pain Treatment in Fairfax, VA:
Rediscover Life, Movement, and Hope

Imagine waking up ready for the day—energized, confident, and pain free.

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At our Fairfax clinic, every day brings powerful stories of hope and renewal. If back pain has been keeping you from living fully, we want you to know there’s a proven path forward. You don’t have to settle for “managing” your pain with endless pills, nor fear that surgery is your only road to relief.

On a Walk

You have safe, research-backed options—right here!

Today’s leading medical experts endorse what we put into practice every day:  The American College of Physicians and the World Health Organization now recommend gentle spinal manipulation and therapeutic exercise as the first and best line of treatment for most back pain. Why? Because this approach works to restore true mobility and lasting relief from back pain.

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A landmark 2024 study in Scientific Reports found that patients following our combined program of spinal manipulation and targeted exercise experienced a remarkable 87.7% improvement in function, a life-changing result compared to other methods.

Dr. Robert J. Zapf, M.S., D.C., Chiropractic Physician

40 Years of Practice Experience

Former Associate Professor - Palmer College of Chiropractic

Man Exercising with Bands Back Pain Therapy
Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation for Back Pain

What Causes Your Back Pain and How Do We Treat It?

Back pain can stem from various sources, and understanding the most common causes is the first step toward relief.

 

At our office, we specialize in diagnosing and treating four main types of back pain causes—each requiring a unique approach to help you heal.

1. Pinched Nerves (Radiculopathy)

Nerve compression causing radiating leg/back pain.

2. Osteoarthritis  (Degenerative Disc Disease)

Joint/spine wear causing inflammation and stiffness

3. Sprain/Strain

Muscle/ligament injury from sudden changes in motion or overuse

4. Spinal Stenosis

Narrowed spinal canal causing pressure/pain

Our Evidence Based Treatment for Back Pain
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Radiculopathy

1. Pinched Nerves (Radiculopathy)

Have you ever experienced sharp, shooting pain that starts in your lower back but travels down your buttock, leg, or even into your foot? Perhaps you've noticed tingling, numbness, or a "pins and needles" sensation that follows a path from your spine to your toes. If this sounds familiar, you may be dealing with radiculopathy—commonly known as a pinched nerve in the spine.

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What Causes Radiculopathy?

 

Radiculopathy occurs when one of the nerve roots exiting your spinal column becomes compressed, inflamed, or irritated. Think of your spinal nerves as electrical wires carrying signals between your brain and the rest of your body. When something presses on these nerves at their exit point from the spine, it disrupts signal transmission, creating pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling that radiates along the entire pathway of that nerve.

 

Common causes of pinched nerves (radiculopathy)

  • Herniated or bulging discs – The soft cushioning discs between vertebrae can develop cracks, allowing inner material to bulge out and press directly on nearby nerve roots. Herniated discs account for approximately 90% of radiculopathy cases in people under age 50.

  • Spinal arthritis (osteoarthritis) – Bone spurs (osteophytes) that form along vertebrae and facet joints can narrow the openings where nerves exit the spine, literally pinching the nerves as they pass through. After age 50, degenerative arthritis becomes the leading cause of radiculopathy.

  • Inflammation and swelling – Even without visible structural changes, inflammation around the nerve root can cause compression and symptoms.

 
Recognizing the Symptoms of Radiculopathy
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Unlike the localized, achy discomfort of muscle strain, nerve pain has distinct characteristics:

The hallmark symptom is radiating pain—discomfort that travels along a specific pathway from your spine into your extremity. Patients describe this as:

  • Sharp, shooting, or electric-like sensations

  • Burning or searing pain following a line down the leg

  • Pain that worsens with bending, twisting, or coughing

  • Discomfort that may be more severe in the leg than in the back itself

 

Beyond pain, you might experience:

  • Numbness or "dead" feeling in specific areas

  • Tingling or "pins and needles" that persist or come and go

  • Muscle weakness making it difficult to lift your foot or stand on tiptoes

  • Changes in reflexes

 

Our Treatment Approach for Radiculopathy
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The encouraging news: 85-90% of radiculopathy cases resolve with conservative care. Our integrated treatment protocol combines targeted spinal manipulation with therapeutic exercise to address both the nerve compression and the underlying mechanical dysfunction.

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Spinal adjustments work to restore proper alignment and motion to spinal segments surrounding the compressed nerve, often reducing or eliminating mechanical pressure on the nerve root. Research demonstrates that chiropractic adjustments are highly effective for radiculopathy, with 85.5% of patients achieving symptom resolution averaging just 9 treatment sessions.

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Spinal decompression therapy—a specialized form of gentle, motorized traction—creates negative pressure within the discs, which can pull herniated material back toward its normal position and reduce pressure on compressed nerves. A 2022 randomized controlled trial found that patients receiving non-surgical spinal decompression experienced significant reductions in leg pain and showed actual measurable decreases in herniated disc size on follow-up MRI imaging.

Therapeutic exercise strengthens supporting muscles, improves flexibility, restores normal movement patterns, and promotes "nerve gliding" techniques that help nerves move more freely through surrounding tissues.

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How This Differs from Medical Treatment
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Conventional medical treatment for radiculopathy typically begins with:

  • Pain medications (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, sometimes opioids)

  • Oral or epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation

  • Physical therapy referral (often after medications fail)

  • Surgical consultation if conservative measures don't provide relief within 6-12 weeks

While medications can provide temporary symptom relief, they don't address the underlying mechanical cause of nerve compression. Our approach targets the root problem—restoring proper spinal function and reducing the pressure on affected nerves—allowing your body to heal naturally without the risks associated with long-term medication use or invasive procedures.

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OA

2. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) Spinal Osteoarthritis

If you're over 50 and experiencing chronic back pain with morning stiffness that improves with movement, you may be dealing with spinal osteoarthritis—also called degenerative joint disease or spondylosis. This condition, along with its close relative degenerative disc disease (DDD), represents the most common cause of chronic back pain in adults.

 
Understanding Spinal Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear condition affecting the joints of your spine, particularly the facet joints (the small joints connecting each vertebra) and the intervertebral discs. As we age, the protective cartilage cushioning these joints gradually breaks down, leading to:

  • Joint inflammation and swelling

  • Bone spur formation (osteophytes developing along joint margins)

  • Disc degeneration (discs losing height and water content, becoming less effective as shock absorbers)

  • Reduced flexibility and range of motion

  • Nerve compression if bone spurs narrow the spaces where nerves exit the spine

 

Who develops spinal arthritis? While aging is the primary risk factor, other contributors include:

  • Previous back injuries

  • Repetitive strain from occupation or sports

  • Genetic predisposition

  • Obesity (increased mechanical stress on spine)

  • Poor posture over many years

Prevalence increases dramatically with age—affecting over 50% of adults by age 60 and nearly everyone to some degree by age 80.

 
Symptoms You Might Experience

Spinal osteoarthritis typically presents with:

  • Chronic, achy pain localized to your lower back or neck

  • Morning stiffness lasting 30 minutes or more, improving with gentle movement

  • Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting, standing, or certain positions

  • Reduced flexibility making it harder to bend, twist, or reach

  • Grinding or popping sensations when moving your spine

  • Radiating pain if bone spurs compress nerves (this is when arthritis causes radiculopathy)

Many patients describe feeling "stiff as a board" when waking up, gradually loosening as they move throughout the day.

 
Our Treatment Approach for Osteoarthritis

While you can't reverse arthritis, you absolutely can reduce pain, improve function, and slow progression. Our evidence-based approach focuses on:

Gentle spinal manipulation to restore motion to restricted joints, reduce inflammation, and improve overall spinal function. Research specifically examining chiropractic care for osteoarthritis shows significant pain reduction and functional improvement. Importantly, gentle manipulation techniques appropriate for arthritic joints differ from those used for younger, more flexible spines—we adjust our approach based on your specific needs.

Targeted therapeutic exercise is crucial for managing arthritis long-term. Core stabilization exercises, flexibility training, and low-impact aerobic activity help:

  • Strengthen muscles supporting arthritic joints

  • Maintain range of motion

  • Reduce mechanical stress on affected areas

  • Promote circulation and nutrient flow to joint tissues

Clinical trials demonstrate that structured exercise programs produce superior long-term outcomes for arthritis-related back pain compared to passive treatments alone.

Lifestyle modifications including ergonomic guidance, weight management support, and activity modifications that allow you to stay active while protecting your spine.

 
How This Differs from Medical Treatment

Conventional medical management of spinal osteoarthritis typically includes:

  • Long-term use of NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors for inflammation

  • Muscle relaxants for associated spasm

  • Corticosteroid injections (facet joint or epidural) for severe flare-ups

  • Referral to pain management if medications prove inadequate

  • Surgical options (spinal fusion, laminectomy) for severe cases

While medications can help manage symptoms, long-term NSAID use carries risks including gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular complications, and kidney dysfunction—particularly concerning for older adults most affected by arthritis. Injections provide temporary relief (typically 3-6 months) but don't address underlying mechanical dysfunction.

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Our conservative approach offers comparable or superior pain relief without medication side effects, actively improves function rather than just masking symptoms, and helps maintain mobility—critical for long-term quality of life with arthritis.

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sprain

3. Muscle Strains and Ligament Sprains

Sprain and Strain Injuries

Not all back pain is chronic or degenerative. Sometimes it strikes suddenly—you lift something heavy with poor form, twist awkwardly during a golf swing, or simply bend over to tie your shoe and feel a sharp "catch" in your back. Welcome to the world of sprains and strains, the most common cause of acute back pain.

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Understanding the Difference

While often used interchangeably, sprains and strains are technically different injuries:

Sprains involve overstretching or tearing of ligaments—the tough, fibrous bands connecting bone to bone and stabilizing your spinal joints.

Strains involve overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons—the tissues that move and support your spine.

Both can range from mild (microscopic tears with minimal symptoms) to severe (complete rupture causing significant disability).

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Common Causes

Back sprains and strains typically result from:

  • Acute trauma – Sudden twisting, lifting heavy objects, falls, or car accidents

  • Repetitive stress – Cumulative microtrauma from repetitive movements (landscaping, construction work, child care)

  • Poor body mechanics – Lifting with rounded back instead of using legs, reaching while twisted

  • Deconditioned muscles – Weak core muscles fail to stabilize spine during activities

  • Fatigue – Tired muscles provide less protection, increasing injury risk

The classic scenario: Weekend warrior who sits at a desk all week decides to move furniture or play a vigorous sport without proper warm-up or conditioning.

 
Recognizing the Symptoms

Sprain and strain injuries typically present with:

  • Sudden onset pain at the moment of injury (you know exactly when it happened)

  • Localized discomfort in your back muscles—unlike radiculopathy, pain stays in your back rather than radiating down legs

  • Muscle spasm causing the back to "lock up" or feel tight

  • Pain with movement especially bending, twisting, or lifting

  • Tenderness to touch over affected muscles

  • Reduced range of motion due to pain and protective muscle guarding

Most acute strains improve significantly within 1-2 weeks with appropriate treatment, though some become chronic if not properly addressed.

 
Our Treatment Approach for Sprains and Strains

Acute back injuries respond exceptionally well to early chiropractic intervention. Our protocol includes:

Gentle spinal manipulation (modified based on acute injury presentation) to restore proper joint motion, reduce muscle spasm, and activate neurological pain-relief mechanisms. Research shows that patients receiving manipulation for acute low back pain experience faster recovery and return to work compared to those receiving medication alone.

Soft tissue therapy including massage, trigger point release, and muscle relaxation techniques to address protective spasm and promote healing.

Ice/heat therapy guidance – Ice in first 48-72 hours to control inflammation, followed by heat to promote circulation and healing.

Early, controlled movement – Contrary to old advice about bed rest, current research strongly supports staying as active as tolerable. We guide you through appropriate movements that promote healing without aggravating injury.

Progressive rehabilitation exercise introduced as acute symptoms subside, focusing on:

  • Core stabilization to prevent re-injury

  • Flexibility restoration

  • Proper body mechanics training

  • Gradual return to full activities

 
How This Differs from Medical Treatment

Conventional medical treatment for acute back strain typically involves:

  • Rest (often excessive bed rest, which research shows delays recovery)

  • Pain medications (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, sometimes opioids for severe pain)

  • "Wait and see" approach for 4-6 weeks before considering additional intervention

  • Physical therapy referral only if symptoms persist beyond 6 weeks

While medications can help manage initial pain, they don't address the underlying mechanical dysfunction or promote active healing. Research comparing early chiropractic care to standard medical management consistently shows:

  • Faster pain reduction with manipulation

  • Quicker return to work and normal activities

  • Lower healthcare costs overall

  • Reduced likelihood of chronic pain development

Our active, hands-on approach gets you moving properly again rather than waiting for symptoms to resolve on their own—often preventing an acute injury from becoming a chronic problem.

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Stenosis

4. Spinal Stenosis

 

Spinal stenosis—the narrowing of spaces within your spine—represents one of the most common causes of chronic back pain in adults over 60. While the term sounds intimidating, understanding this condition and knowing that effective conservative treatment exists can provide tremendous relief.

 
What is Spinal Stenosis?

Your spinal cord travels through a canal formed by stacked vertebrae, with nerve roots branching off and exiting through small openings (foramina) at each level. Spinal stenosis occurs when these spaces narrow, creating pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots passing through them.

Two main types affect the lower back:

Central canal stenosis – Narrowing of the main spinal canal, potentially compressing the spinal cord or cauda equina (bundle of nerve roots in lower spine)

Foraminal stenosis – Narrowing of the exit holes where individual nerve roots leave the spinal column, causing compression similar to radiculopathy

 
What Causes Stenosis?

Unlike acute injuries, spinal stenosis typically develops gradually through:

  • Osteoarthritis – Bone spurs growing into spinal canal spaces (most common cause)

  • Disc degeneration – Discs losing height, allowing vertebrae to shift and narrow openings

  • Ligament thickening – The ligamentum flavum (tissue connecting vertebrae) can thicken with age, bulging into canal space

  • Spondylolisthesis – One vertebra slipping forward on another, reducing canal diameter

  • Less commonly: congenital narrow canal, previous spinal surgery, or Paget's disease

Prevalence increases dramatically with age—affecting approximately 10% of adults over 50 and up to 47% of adults over 60 to some degree.

 
Recognizing the Symptoms

Spinal stenosis presents with characteristic symptoms that often distinguish it from other back pain causes:

Neurogenic claudication – The hallmark symptom, described as:

  • Pain, cramping, or heaviness in legs when walking or standing

  • Symptoms improve when sitting down or leaning forward (flexing spine opens canal spaces)

  • Ability to walk limited distance before needing to rest

  • Relief when pushing shopping cart (flexed posture) but difficulty walking upright

Additional symptoms include:

  • Chronic lower back pain and stiffness

  • Numbness or tingling in legs or feet

  • Weakness in legs, especially during walking

  • In severe cases, bladder or bowel dysfunction (rare but requires immediate medical attention)

Many patients notice they can bicycle for miles (flexed position keeps canal open) but can't walk around the grocery store (upright position narrows canal).

 
Our Treatment Approach for Spinal Stenosis

While stenosis involves structural narrowing that can't be fully reversed without surgery, conservative treatment successfully manages symptoms in the majority of patients. Research shows that 60-70% of stenosis patients improve with non-surgical care.

Flexion-based exercises are particularly effective, as flexing (bending forward) your spine increases canal space. Our rehabilitation program includes:

  • Core stabilization exercises performed in flexed positions

  • Pelvic tilt and posterior pelvic rotation techniques

  • Flexibility training to maintain forward-bending ability

  • Postural education emphasizing positions that maximize canal space

Gentle spinal manipulation can improve overall spinal mobility and reduce compensatory strain in surrounding areas. While manipulation won't increase canal size, it can improve mechanical function and reduce inflammation contributing to symptoms.

Spinal decompression therapy using specialized traction tables may provide relief by:

  • Creating negative pressure in disc spaces

  • Gently stretching soft tissues that have thickened

  • Promoting circulation to compressed nerve tissues

  • Temporarily increasing canal dimensions during and after treatment

Walking aids and activity modifications including using a cane or walker when needed, taking frequent rest breaks during activities, and adjusting exercise routines to accommodate limitations while maintaining fitness.

 
How This Differs from Medical Treatment

Conventional medical management of spinal stenosis typically involves:

  • Pain medications (NSAIDs, neuropathic pain medications like gabapentin)

  • Epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation around compressed nerves

  • Physical therapy referral (though often brief and focused on general exercise)

  • Surgical consultation for spinal decompression (laminectomy, laminotomy, or fusion) if conservative measures fail

Epidural injections provide temporary relief in about 50% of patients, typically lasting 3-6 months. Surgery offers more definitive relief but carries risks including infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and failed back surgery syndrome. Additionally, many patients' symptoms recur within 5-10 years even after surgery as degenerative changes continue.

Our conservative approach aims to:

  • Maximize your function within the limitations stenosis creates

  • Reduce pain and improve quality of life without surgical risks

  • Maintain mobility and independence as long as possible

  • Potentially delay or avoid need for surgery

Many patients are surprised to learn they can achieve significant improvement and return to enjoyable activities despite having stenosis visible on MRI. The key is comprehensive, ongoing conservative management rather than passive approaches or premature surgical intervention.

Treatment

Our Evidence-Based Treatment Approach: Why Combined Therapy Works

Throughout the descriptions above, you've seen references to our integrated treatment protocol combining spinal manipulation and therapeutic exercise. This isn't a preference or opinion—it's an evidence-based approach supported by rigorous scientific research and endorsed by leading medical organizations worldwide.

 
The Paradigm Shift in Back Pain Treatment

In 2017, the American College of Physicians fundamentally changed medical recommendations for back pain management. After reviewing over 150 randomized controlled trials, they issued a strong recommendation that patients with low back pain should:

"Initially select nonpharmacologic treatment with exercise, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, acupuncture, mindfulness-based stress reduction, tai chi, yoga, motor control exercise, progressive relaxation, electromyography biofeedback, low-level laser therapy, operant therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or spinal manipulation."

 

This recommendation explicitly prioritizes conservative care—including chiropractic treatment and exercise—before turning to medications, injections, or surgery. The World Health Organization echoed these guidelines in 2023, releasing recommendations that strongly advocate for nonpharmacological interventions including spinal manipulation and structured exercise as first-line treatment.

 
Why Combined Treatment Produces Superior Results

A groundbreaking 2024 study published in Scientific Reports compared three treatment approaches for chronic low back pain: exercise alone, exercise combined with kinesiotaping, and exercise combined with manual therapy (spinal manipulation). The results demonstrated unequivocal superiority of the combined approach:

Disability Improvement (Oswestry Disability Index):

  • Exercise + Manual Therapy group: 87.70% reduction in disability at 12 weeks

  • Exercise alone group: 27.1% reduction

  • Exercise + Kinesiotape group: 19.9% reduction

 

The study's authors concluded: "Manual therapy prior to the core exercise technique was the most effective approach to improve health-related functionality compared with exercise alone or exercise combined with kinesiotape in patients with CLBP."

This isn't an isolated finding. A comprehensive 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Spine Journal examined 51 randomized controlled trials involving 8,748 patients with chronic low back pain. The pooled analysis revealed:

 

Pain Reduction:

  • Spinal manipulation showed statistically significant pain reduction compared to active comparators including exercise and physical therapy (p = 0.05)

  • This translates to a 10.75-point greater reduction on a 0-100 pain scale

  • The effect increased over time, with even larger benefits at 3-month and 6-month follow-up

 

Disability Reduction:

  • Manipulation significantly reduced disability (p < 0.0001)

  • This equates to a 5.16-point reduction on the 24-point Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire

  • Benefits persisted at 6-month follow-up

The researchers concluded: "There is moderate-quality evidence that manipulation and mobilization are likely to reduce pain and improve function for patients with chronic low back pain... Multimodal programs may be a promising option."

 
Why Exercise Alone Isn't Enough

While therapeutic exercise represents a crucial component of back pain treatment, research consistently shows superior outcomes when combined with spinal manipulation. A 2025 meta-analysis of stabilization exercises for chronic low back pain found that core stability programs produced significant benefits, but the study's authors noted that combination with manual therapy enhanced results.

 

The physiological explanation: Spinal manipulation addresses joint mobility restrictions and neurophysiological pain modulation, while exercise addresses muscular strength, endurance, and motor control. These mechanisms are complementary, not redundant—each addresses different aspects of the complex problem that is chronic back pain.

 
The Safety Profile Advantage

A critical advantage of our conservative approach lies in its exceptional safety profile. The 2018 systematic review involving thousands of patients found:

  • Only 2% of chiropractic patients experienced minor adverse events (typically temporary soreness)

  • Zero serious treatment-related complications were reported

  • Frequency of adverse events did not differ between treatment and control groups

 

Compare this to conventional medical treatment:

Medication Risks:

  • NSAIDs: Gastrointestinal bleeding (15,000 deaths annually in the U.S.), cardiovascular events, kidney dysfunction

  • Opioids: Risk of dependence (approximately 25% of patients prescribed opioids long-term develop addiction), overdose, respiratory depression

  • Muscle relaxants: Sedation, dizziness, dependency potential

Injection Risks:

  • Epidural steroid injections: Infection, bleeding, nerve damage, dural puncture

  • Effectiveness: Only 50% of patients experience relief, typically lasting 3-6 months

Surgical Risks:

  • Infection rates: 1-4%

  • Blood clots: 1-2%

  • Nerve damage: 1-3%

  • Failed back surgery syndrome: 10-40% depending on procedure

  • Recurrence rates: Many patients experience symptom return within 5-10 years

 
Cost-Effectiveness and Long-Term Outcomes

Multiple economic analyses demonstrate that early conservative care reduces overall healthcare costs through:

  • Decreased pharmaceutical expenditures – Particularly expensive long-term opioid prescriptions

  • Reduced imaging utilization – Avoiding unnecessary MRI and CT scans

  • Lower rates of injections and procedures – Fewer epidural steroid injections

  • Fewer surgical interventions – Avoiding expensive operations and complications

  • Faster return to work – Reduced disability and lost productivity costs

A 2025 study examining Medicaid beneficiaries with low back pain found that patients receiving early guideline-concordant conservative care (as we provide) experienced lower overall healthcare utilization and costs compared to medication-first approaches.

 
What This Means for You

When you receive treatment at our Fairfax clinic, you're not getting alternative medicine or experimental care—you're receiving the evidence-based, first-line treatment approach now recommended by the American College of Physicians, World Health Organization, and other leading medical authorities.

 

Our integrated protocol combining spinal manipulation with therapeutic exercise:

  • Produces superior outcomes compared to either intervention alone (87.7% disability reduction vs. 27% with exercise alone)

  • Addresses root causes rather than masking symptoms

  • Carries minimal risk with no serious complications reported in large-scale research

  • Costs less overall than medication-based or procedural approaches

  • Provides sustained benefits that continue or improve at long-term follow-up

  • Empowers you with self-management skills and improved function

 

Most importantly, this approach aligns with what your body wants to do naturally—heal. Rather than suppressing pain signals with medications or surgically altering your anatomy, we work with your body's inherent healing capacity, restoring proper function and creating conditions for natural recovery.

 

References

  1. Hernández-Secorún M, Montaña-Cortés R, Hidalgo-García C, et al. Clinical relevance of combined treatment with exercise in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2024;14:16897. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-68192-2

  2. Rubinstein SM, de Zoete A, van Middelkoop M, et al. Benefits and harms of spinal manipulative therapy for the treatment of chronic low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2019;364:l689. doi:10.1136/bmj.l689

  3. Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, et al. Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(7):514-530. doi:10.7326/M16-2367

  4. World Health Organization. Package of interventions for rehabilitation. Module 2: Neurological, sensory and musculoskeletal conditions. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023.

  5. Kreiner DS, Hwang SW, Easa JE, et al. An evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. Spine J. 2014;14(1):180-191.

  6. Blanpied PR, Gross AR, Elliott JM, et al. Neck pain: revision 2017. Clinical practice guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health from the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(7):A1-A83.

  7. Delitto A, George SZ, Van Dillen L, et al. Low back pain: clinical practice guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health from the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2012;42(4):A1-A57.

  8. Ammendolia C, Stuber K, Rok E, et al. Nonoperative treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(8):CD010712.

  9. Chou R, Deyo R, Friedly J, et al. Nonpharmacologic therapies for low back pain: a systematic review for an American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(7):493-505.

  10. Dagenais S, Tricco AC, Haldeman S. Synthesis of recommendations for the assessment and management of low back pain from recent clinical practice guidelines. Spine J. 2010;10(6):514-529.

  11. Wong JJ, Côté P, Sutton DA, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the noninvasive management of low back pain: a systematic review by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. Eur J Pain. 2017;21(2):201-216.

  12. Oliveira CB, Maher CG, Pinto RZ, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of non-specific low back pain in primary care: an updated overview. Eur Spine J. 2018;27(11):2791-2803.

 Your Therapy - Your Pathway to Lasting Relief from Back Pain

Warrior One

  1. Chiropractic Spinal Manipulative Therapy (Adjustments):  Chiropractic manipulation is a procedure used to gently move misaligned vertebrae (known as a subluxation) to relieve pressure spinal nerves. This process increases range of motion, improves function, reduces nerve irritability, and alleviates muscle spasm and pain.

  2. Computerized Spinal Decompression (Traction): A computer-controlled device decompresses the neck and back gently and precisely. The FDA has cleared this unit to relieve pressure on joints and discs of the spine. It relieves pain associated with herniated discs, protruding discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome and nerve compression. It is especially effective in treating neck pain and low back pain.

  3. Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS): In our clinic this is used to reduce of pain, relax muscle spasms, increase local blood circulation, and maintain or increase of range of motion.

  4. Therapeutic Ultrasound: A passive therapy that uses high frequency sound waves to penetrate through the skin into the deep tissues of the body. Research shows that ultrasound waves significantly improve healing of tissues and relieves pain, stiffness.

  5. Therapeutic Exercise: In our clinic, therapeutic exercise and massage are used to improve joint mobility, posture, and recovery time. They are also beneficial for alleviating pain caused by soft tissue strains, inflammation, and muscle tension.

  6. Shortwave Diathermy: Shortwave diathermy is a deep-heating therapy that uses electromagnetic energy to generate therapeutic heat within your body's tissues. This treatment provides deeper penetration than surface heating methods.

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