Low Back Pain Treatment in Apex, NC 

If you are experiencing low back pain that will not go away on its own, or if the pain is severe enough to concern you, here is some helpful information to get you started.

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Ask Yourself a Few Questions

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1. How long have I had this pain?
If your pain has been present for more than 30 days, you should consider seeking professional help soon.

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2. How severe is my pain?
If your pain is rated 5/10 or higher, try using an ice pack wrapped in a towel or shirt for about 5 minutes at a time. You can also take a hot shower, but avoid using a dry heating pad for long periods of time. While heat may feel good while it is applied, it can sometimes cause increased pain or inflammation later.

Avoid sitting or lying down for long periods. Try to get up and gently walk or move around if possible to prevent your back from tightening up further. Bed rest is generally not recommended anymore according to recent research.

Your medical doctor may suggest over-the-counter medications to reduce pain and inflammation. Chiropractors often recommend appropriate doses of magnesium to help relax muscles and may suggest using Arnica gel on the back to help reduce discomfort.

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3. Where is my pain located?
Is the pain localized in one spot, or is it spreading up or down your back? If it spreads, it is not necessarily an emergency, but you should monitor any changes over the coming days.

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4. Do I have pain or tingling down my legs?
While this can be concerning, it is commonly treated successfully by chiropractors. Keep track of your symptoms day by day to see if they are improving or worsening, and consider scheduling an appointment in the next few days if symptoms persist.

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5. Am I experiencing loss of muscle control, numbness in the groin region, or incontinence (difficulty controlling bowels or bladder)?
If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately. Go to the emergency room or contact your primary care physician right away.

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6. Have I experienced significant trauma that could have caused a spinal fracture?
If you suspect a possible fracture, you will likely need diagnostic imaging. Visit a facility such as a hospital that offers imaging services. Some advanced chiropractic offices also have on-site digital X-rays.

 

Deciding How to Treat Your Back Pain

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When you have back pain, you are generally deciding between three possible treatment options.

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1. Emergency Care

If you determine that you may need emergency care (which is rare but possible), you should go directly to the hospital or emergency room.

Urgent care clinics are often limited in what they can do for severe spinal issues and may send you to the hospital anyway. Going directly to the ER can save you time and an extra appointment.

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2. Non-Emergency Professional Care

For most people with back pain, non-emergency care is the right choice.

After considering the questions above, seeking professional help such as chiropractic treatment is often the best next step.

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3. Self-Treatment at Home

Self-treating without professional guidance is generally not recommended. Pain in the spine is often a symptom of a deeper underlying issue.

The pain you feel today might seem severe, but the bigger concern may be degeneration or damage in the spine that could cause more significant problems later in life.

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While this episode might not be an emergency today, ignoring it could potentially lead to bigger problems down the road.

If you are temporarily unable to visit a chiropractor, follow the pain-management steps mentioned above until you can seek professional care.

 

Why See a Chiropractor for Back Pain?

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1. Chiropractors specialize in diagnosing and treating spinal conditions. This is what they spend years studying and preparing to treat.

Chiropractors treat many different joint conditions, but they frequently see hundreds of patients with back pain each week. Experienced chiropractors know what to look for and how to properly address spinal issues.

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2. Research has also shown that patients who see a chiropractor first for spinal care are less likely to need surgery later and have lower healthcare costs.

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3. Chiropractic care also focuses on natural treatment methods without the use of addictive medications such as opioids or irreversible surgeries. 

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4. A good chiropractor will perform a thorough examination(and possibly take x-rays if needed) to determine the exact cause of your problem and provide a clear explanation of your condition, helping you better understand your spinal health.

 

What to Look for in a Chiropractor

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1. Find a chiropractor who accepts your insurance.

If you are paying for health insurance, it makes sense to find a chiropractor who is in-network. Even if you have a high deductible plan, chiropractic visits typically apply toward your deductible, which may help cover other medical care later in the year.

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2. Choose a chiropractor who spends time with you.

You want a doctor who takes your condition seriously and performs a proper examination, which may take 30–45 minutes for a new patient.

Follow-up visits should typically be longer than just a few minutes.

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3. Avoid clinics that rush patients through treatment or use open adjusting rooms, where patients are treated in front of others waiting to be seen.

 

This can compromise privacy and often means the doctor does not spend enough time discussing your condition.

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4. Since it can be difficult to evaluate this from a website alone, ask friends or local community groups for recommendations.

 

Local Facebook groups can also be a helpful resource.

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5. Look for a chiropractor with on-site digital X-rays.

Not every patient needs X-rays, but if there is concern about a serious injury, having digital X-ray equipment available in the office can be very helpful.

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6. Adjusting skill matters.

 

A chiropractor with strong adjusting skills can improve spinal mobility in a way that is comfortable and effective. Often this produces the familiar and satisfying “crack” sound (called a cavitation) during a spinal adjustment.

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7. Look for a clinic that offers multiple treatment options.

In addition to adjustments, a well-equipped chiropractic office should provide other helpful therapies such as:

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• Soft tissue or muscle therapy
   

• Stretching
   

• Rehabilitation exercises
   

• Electrical stimulation therapy
   

• Traction therapy
   

• Lifestyle and ergonomic counseling
   

These treatments can help improve flexibility, strength, and long-term spinal health.

 

Chiropractic Care in Apex, NC

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At Performance Family Chiropractic, we strive to embody all of these qualities so we can deliver the best possible outcomes while recommending a practical and personalized treatment plan.

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We treat patients of all ages with spinal and joint conditions, with a special focus on helping people with back pain.

Our patients consistently report lasting results and high satisfaction with their care.

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If you would like to get your back feeling more normal again—or if you simply want to prevent future back pain—contact us today.

We are happy to answer phone calls, text messages, and emails, and scheduling an appointment is easy with our online booking system.