Back Pain

Up to 80% of people experience low back pain during their lifetime, which can become debilitating when not addressed. At Carter Chiropractic in Raleigh, North Carolina, chiropractic specialist Gregory Carter, DC, and the team offer holistic back pain treatments in a concierge-medicine setting. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.

What is back pain?

Back pain affects the upper, mid, or lower part of your back. It may stem from problems with the spine, nerves, or soft tissues surrounding the spine. Back discomfort can present as localized pain, radiating discomfort, or generalized pain that spreads all over your back. Treating back pain naturally with the help of Carter Chiropractic may help you avoid medications or surgery.

What does it feel like to have back pain?

Back pain might appear as any of the following:

• Dull aching
• Radiating pain
• Sharp or shooting pain
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Burning
• Soreness
• Stiffness 

Your pain might be more severe in the morning or after sitting or standing for long periods. It may shoot into your buttocks and down one of your legs and be constant or come and go. 

What may cause back pain?

Common causes of back pain include:

• Bulging or ruptured (herniated) spinal discs
• Sprains or strains
• Compressed nerves
• Muscle, tendon, or ligament injuries
• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis (narrowed spinal canal)
• Scoliosis
• Osteoporosis
• Ankylosing spondylitis (spine arthritis)
• Fibromyalgia 
• Tumors
• Infections
• Pregnancy
• Aging
• Obesity

Back pain sometimes develops because of a sports injury, age-related wear, heavy lifting, a work-related or car accident injury, a disease, or even an unknown cause. 

How is back pain diagnosed?

Diagnosing the cause of back pain involves a discussion about your medical history, symptoms, goals, and lifestyle. Your chiropractic specialist completes a physical exam and may recommend blood testing, X-rays, an MRI, or other imaging procedures. If you have these tests completed already, bring them to your appointment at Carter Chiropractic.

How does chiropractic care treat back pain?

Carter Chiropractic uses holistic methods to treat back pain, including but not limited to:

• Chiropractic manipulation 
• Mechanical motion therapy 
• Spinal decompression 
• Nutrition programs
• Medically supervised weight loss
• Acupuncture
• Dry needling
• Cupping
• Sports injury and performance solutions

Carter Chiropractic specializes in using ProAdjuster 360 technology and low-force treatments without any pain, twisting, or popping. 

The practice offers diversified spinal manipulation, applied kinesiology, nutrition response testing, Activator® Technique, Chiropractic BioPhysics® (CBP®), Active Release Technique (ART), and other forms of manual manipulation. 

Is spinal decompression a good choice for bulging discs that cause back pain?

Spinal decompression is a noninvasive mechanical treatment that eases back pain naturally by gently stretching the spine to take pressure off spinal discs. After undergoing decompression techniques to reduce pressure, bulging discs may retract to an ideal position, reduce nerve pain, and permit better oxygen and fluid flow for holistic healing.

You might see your specialist weekly or as needed for back pain treatments to maximize healing and reduce discomfort with a lower risk of future problems.

Schedule a back pain evaluation at Carter Chiropractic by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.