Back pain is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care, affecting people of all ages and activity levels. Whether pain develops suddenly after lifting, gradually from prolonged sitting, or following an injury or accident, spinal discomfort can interfere with sleep, work performance, exercise, and overall quality of life.

Back pain often originates from a mixture of mechanical stress, muscle imbalance, joint restriction, nerve irritation, or inflammation. Common contributing factors include poor posture, repetitive strain, disc injuries, sports activity, workplace ergonomics, auto accidents, and age-related spinal degeneration. Symptoms may range from joint stiffness and muscle tightness to sharp pain, reduced mobility, or radiating discomfort traveling into the hips or legs.

At Integrative Health and Rehabilitation, our approach focuses on identifying why back pain developed rather than simply masking symptoms. Our Denver clinic provides comprehensive non-surgical back pain treatment, combining evidence-based chiropractic care with advanced soft-tissue and restorative therapies designed to restore motion, reduce inflammation, and facilitate long-term recovery.

Patients frequently benefit from integrated treatment plans that may include chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, acupuncture, shockwave therapy, and low-level laser therapy — all performed onsite for coordinated care.

With more than two decades of clinical experience treating spinal and musculoskeletal conditions, our clinic serves patients throughout Denver and the surrounding communities seeking conservative alternatives before considering medications or surgery.

Common Back Pain Conditions

Back pain is not a single diagnosis. Instead, it represents a broad category of conditions affecting spinal joints, discs, muscles, ligaments, and nerves.

Some of the most common causes of back pain include:

Lumbar muscle strain and ligament sprain
Herniated or bulging spinal discs
Sciatica and nerve compression
Facet joint dysfunction
Degenerative disc disease
Postural and occupational back pain
Sports-related spinal injuries
Whiplash and auto accident injuries
Chronic mechanical low back pain

Because multiple structures often contribute simultaneously, accurate evaluation is critical. Many patients have persistent symptoms when treatment focuses only on one tissue type rather than addressing joint mechanics, muscular dysfunction, and nervous system irritation together.

Treatment Options for Back Pain

Most cases of back pain respond well to conservative, non-surgical care focused on restoring normal movement and reducing inflammation.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic adjustments improve spinal joint mobility, reducing joint inflammation and relieving your pain. Restoring proper motion often decreases muscle tension and improves overall function.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps regulate pain, reduce inflammation, and even stimulate immune function. Electroacupuncture involves applying a mild electrical current to the acupuncture needles.

Dry Needling

Dry needling targets muscular trigger points responsible for persistent tightness and referred pain patterns.

Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy stimulates tissue repair and is particularly helpful for chronic soft-tissue conditions.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy stimulates ATP production in the affected tissues. ATP serves as the primary “fuel” for cells, resulting in improved healing and reduced inflammation without medication or downtime.

Symptoms Associated With Back Pain

Symptoms vary depending on the structures involved. Frequent symptoms include:

Dull or aching pain in the back
Sharp pain with movement
Muscle tightness or spasms
Reduced flexibility
Difficulty standing upright
Pain after extended periods of sitting or sleeping

Some individuals experience radiating symptoms, including:

Pain traveling into the buttocks or legs
Numbness or tingling
Weakness in the lower extremities

These symptoms may indicate nerve irritation and should be evaluated promptly.

What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain can develop for many different reasons, and in most cases, it is not caused by a single problem. The spine is a complex system of joints, discs, muscles, ligaments, and nerves that must work together to support movement and stability. When one part of this system becomes irritated or dysfunctional, surrounding tissues often compensate, leading to pain, stiffness, inflammation, or reduced mobility.

Common causes of back pain include muscle strain from lifting or repetitive activities, prolonged sitting or poor posture, spinal joint restrictions, disc injuries such as bulging or herniated discs, and nerve irritation, commonly associated with sciatica. Athletes and active individuals may develop back pain from overuse or biomechanical imbalance, while office workers frequently experience symptoms related to sustained sitting and ergonomic stress. Auto accidents, falls, and sudden twisting injuries can also create both immediate and delayed spinal symptoms.

Patients often notice warning signs such as persistent stiffness, difficulty standing upright, pain when bending or twisting, muscle tightness, or discomfort that radiates into the hips, buttocks, or legs. In some cases, inflammation and muscle guarding develop as protective responses, which can further restrict normal movement and prolong recovery if not properly addressed.

What is the Best Back Pain Treatment?

Effective back pain treatment begins with identifying the underlying mechanical and functional contributors rather than focusing solely on symptom relief. At Integrative Health and Rehabilitation, evaluation includes assessment of spinal motion, muscle function, posture, movement patterns, and nerve involvement to determine the most appropriate non-surgical treatment approach.

Treatment typically focuses on restoring normal joint motion, reducing muscular tension, improving circulation, and calming irritated nervous system pathways. Chiropractic adjustments improve spinal mobility and reduce mechanical stress, while therapies such as dry needling, acupuncture, shockwave therapy, and low-level laser therapy address soft-tissue dysfunction and inflammation. Combining therapies often allows injured tissues to heal more efficiently while helping patients regain strength and mobility.

Most episodes of back pain respond well to conservative care when addressed early. By improving movement quality and correcting contributing factors, treatment not only reduces current pain but also lowers the risk of recurring episodes.

Back Pain FAQ

Q: What are the most common causes of back pain?

A: Back pain can develop from several different sources. The most common causes include muscle strain, ligament sprain, disc injuries, poor posture, repetitive movements, and sedentary lifestyles. Sports injuries, improper lifting, and car accidents can also contribute to back pain. In many cases, pain develops gradually over time due to poor spinal mechanics and muscular imbalances.

Q: Can chiropractic care help relieve back pain?

A: Yes. Chiropractic care is one of the most commonly used non-surgical treatments for back pain. Chiropractors focus on restoring proper motion and alignment to the spine through gentle adjustments. When spinal joints are restricted or irritated, surrounding muscles often become tight and painful. Chiropractic adjustments improve mobility, reduce inflammation, and help the nervous system function more efficiently.

Q: When should I see a doctor or chiropractor for back pain?

A: You should consider seeking professional care if your back pain lasts more than a few days, interferes with daily activities, or continues to worsen. Other warning signs include numbness, tingling, leg weakness, or pain radiating down the leg. Early evaluation helps identify underlying causes and prevents minor injuries from becoming chronic problems.

Q: Does poor posture cause back pain?

A: Poor posture is one of the leading contributors to back pain. Sitting for long periods, slouching while using a computer or phone, and improper workstation ergonomics can place excessive stress on the spine’s muscles and joints. Over time, this can lead to muscle fatigue, stiffness, and chronic discomfort.

Q: What treatments are available for back pain at Integrative Health and Rehabilitation?

A: At Integrative Health and Rehabilitation, several non-surgical treatments may be used to help relieve back pain, depending on the cause of the condition. Treatment options may include chiropractic adjustments to restore spinal mobility, acupuncture to reduce inflammation and improve circulation, dry needling to release tight muscles, shockwave therapy for chronic soft-tissue injuries, and low-level laser therapy to support healing.

Q: Can back pain go away on its own?

A: Some mild cases of back pain may improve with rest, stretching, and activity modification. However, many people experience recurring episodes because the underlying mechanical problem is never addressed. When the joints, muscles, or discs of the spine are not functioning properly, the body often compensates in ways that continue to stress the area.

Q: Is exercise helpful for back pain?

A: Yes. Appropriate exercise can be very beneficial for both treating and preventing back pain. Strengthening the core muscles—including the abdominal and spinal stabilizing muscles—helps support the spine and reduce strain on the joints. Stretching tight muscles can also improve mobility and reduce tension. However, certain exercises may aggravate specific injuries, so it is important to choose exercises that match your condition.

Dr. James Doran, DC, CCAc
Clinic Director, Board Certified, Licensed Colorado Chiropractor
Integrative Health and Rehabilitation – Denver, CO

Dr. James Doran is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic with over 25 years of clinical experience treating musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. His clinical focus includes mechanical back pain, neck pain, headache disorders, sports injuries, and post–auto accident injuries.

Dr. Doran utilizes evidence-based approaches including chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, dry needling, low-level laser therapy, and rehabilitative care. He holds a bachelor’s degree in human nutrition and integrates functional, biomechanical, and whole-person principles into patient care. Dr. Doran is licensed to practice chiropractic in the State of Colorado and treats patients daily in private practice.

About Integrative Health and Rehabilitation

Integrative Health and Rehabilitation provides integrative chiropractic and physical medicine services for patients in Denver, Arvada, and Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The clinic focuses on evidence-based, non-surgical care for both acute and chronic conditions, with an emphasis on restoring function, reducing pain, and supporting long-term health. 📍 Office Location: Denver, CO 🔗 View the clinic on Google Maps

Integrative Health and Rehabilitation

Back Pain