Low back pain is one of the most common reasons patients come to see Dr. Dallas, and it shows up differently for everyone. For some, it's a dull ache that's been building for years. For others, it's a sudden flare-up that stopped them in their tracks. Either way, the first step is understanding exactly what's driving it, not just treating the general area.
Common Causes of Low Back Pain
Low back pain can come from a number of sources, including:
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Joint restrictions or fixation in the spine
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Disc bulges or herniations
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Muscle strain or overuse
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Poor movement patterns built up over time
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Prolonged sitting or sedentary habits
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Deconditioning following a previous injury
Many patients who come in have already been told a general diagnosis like "you have a bad back" without much explanation of what that actually means or why it's happening. Dr. Dallas's exam is built to get more specific than that.
How Low Back Pain Is Evaluated
Every new patient visit starts with a detailed history and physical exam, and objective testing using VALD equipment to measure strength and range of motion against normative data. This gives a clear, measurable picture of what's actually going on, rather than relying on guesswork or a generic protocol.
How Low Back Pain Is Treated
Treatment depends on what the exam reveals, but commonly includes:
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Chiropractic adjustments to restore motion to restricted joints in the spine
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Cox Flexion Distraction, delivered on a Cox 8 table, particularly effective for disc related pain or pain radiating into the leg
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Corrective exercise and movement coaching, built on SFMA screening, to address the patterns and weaknesses that contributed to the pain in the first place
Care is built around the minimum effective dose required to get you results. You won't be signed up for a long list of visits before anyone's confirmed what's actually wrong.
When Low Back Pain Involves Radiculopathy
Low back pain that radiates into the leg, sometimes with numbness, tingling, or weakness, is often related to nerve irritation, commonly known as sciatica or radiculopathy. Cox Flexion Distraction is particularly well suited for this type of presentation, as it relieves pressure on the disc and nerve without the more forceful motion of a traditional adjustment.
Getting Back to What You Love
Whether your goal is getting back to lifting, running, playing with your kids, or just moving through your day without pain calling the shots, care is built around that specific goal, not a generic recovery timeline.
Common Questions About Low Back Pain
How long will it take to feel better?
That depends on what's driving your pain and how long it's been going on. Some patients feel significant relief within the first few visits, while more chronic or complex cases take longer.
Will I need an MRI or X-ray first?
Not always. Dr. Dallas typically begins treatment on your first visit unless something in your exam suggests imaging is needed first, which is uncommon.
What if my pain radiates into my leg?
That's a sign nerve irritation may be involved. Cox Flexion Distraction is often used specifically for this type of presentation.
Do I need to stop being active?
Not necessarily. Dr. Dallas will guide you on what's safe to continue and what may need to be modified while you're being treated.