Back Pain Treatment Lake Forest, CA
Dr. Ron Merriel, DC, and Dr. Jordan Ziegler, DC, have treated hundreds of patients with back pain in Lake Forest & Spring Valley.
Back pain is one of the most common problems people experience. It may start after lifting, twisting, or sitting for long hours. Often, the pain continues or worsens if the real cause is not identified and corrected.
At Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab, we focus on finding why your back hurts, not just where. Our team performs a detailed exam to locate the problem and build a plan that helps your spine heal naturally.
Our approach is precise and gentle. We aim to restore your motion and balance without unnecessary strain.
If you are dealing with back pain, the first step is an evaluation so we can understand your condition and outline the right treatment path.
What Are the Causes of Back Pain?
Back pain can develop from a combination of physical stress, posture, and spinal imbalance. Common causes include:
- Poor posture from prolonged sitting or standing
- Improper lifting or sudden twisting movements
- Lack of regular movement or exercise
- Joint dysfunction in the spine
- Muscle strain or ligament sprain
- Muscle spasms
- Arthritis or age-related wear
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Sciatic nerve irritation
Dr. Merriel also looks at lifestyle factors that may slow recovery, such as sitting for long periods, using unsupportive chairs, sleeping on an old or soft mattress, or returning to the same habits that keep irritating the low back.
How Do We Diagnose Back Pain
When you come in with back pain, we start with a thorough physical examination. We will ask how long you have had the pain, what your daily routine looks like, and whether your job keeps you on your feet or at a desk.
If needed, we take X-rays to get a clearer picture of what is going on and to make sure chiropractic adjustments are the right fit for you. Once we have all of that, we sit down with you and go over exactly what your treatment plan looks like.
Back Pain Treatment Plan
Most back pain treatment plans run across three phases. Each phase builds on the previous one, progressing from reducing pain and improving flexibility to strengthening the spine and returning to full activity.
Phase One: Weeks 1 to 4
During this phase, we give the patient stretching exercises to build as much flexibility as possible. At the end of this phase, we re-examine the patient. If they show increased range of motion, decreased spasm, and decreased inflammation, we move to the next phase.
Phase Two: Weeks 5 to 8
The second phase is twice a week for four weeks. The focus here shifts to strengthening the spine for more stability. We also work on waking up the small muscles throughout the spine that may have become weakened from disuse. These muscles can get turned off and stop firing as they should. During this phase, we tone those muscles back up.
Phase Three: Weeks 9 to 12
The third phase is once a week for four weeks. By this point, we want to make sure the patient is holding most of their adjustments and has nearly full physical capabilities. The goal is to get them back to close to 100% of their normal activity levels. We keep them in care during this period in case there is a setback, such as reinjuring the back.
Ongoing Care
After completing the plan, we encourage patients to come in once a month to get checked for subluxations. It is easier to correct them when caught early. The longer a joint stays out of alignment, the harder it becomes to correct.
Back Pain Patient Case Study
Patient Info: Elderly adult male with an active lifestyle who regularly works in his yard. He came in after throwing out his back while lifting heavy bags of mulch.
Symptoms: The patient had lower back pain with pain radiating into the gluteal region. However, the pain was not going all the way down the back of his leg.
Diagnosis: We took X-rays because of the gluteal pain. After about three weeks on the treatment plan, the patient was still in significant pain. When a patient shows no change in pain levels after two weeks of care, we look into what is preventing healing. We reviewed his daily habits, including where he sits and how he sleeps. It turned out his old La-Z-Boy recliner was not supporting his lower back. Every evening, while relaxing in it, he strained his lower back, causing recurrent inflammation that was undoing the progress from each treatment.
Treatment: The patient was placed on the standard care plan with exercises included. Once we identified the recliner as the problem, we encouraged him to switch to a different chair. He had an office chair at home and started using that in the living room instead.
Outcome: His pain levels improved once the nightly strain was removed, and he made a full recovery. He was also much more careful when choosing his next piece of furniture.
Back Pain Patient Testimonials & Reviews
Andy Santos
After over a year of doctor visits and physical therapy, I hit a plateau and was still in a lot of daily pain. Dr. McDonald’s treatment plan, combined with Natalie’s effective massage therapy...
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Bryn DenHeyer
I originally came here to have my infant daughter treated by Dr. Waters for torticollis. He was a miracle worker! I started having pain and asked if he worked on adults- he did! I saw him a few times...
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Divya Kapoor
Best massage place ever!! Melina's neck and back massages are lifesavers, especially after long hours hunched over a computer. She really knows how to target those tight spots to ease tension...
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Nancy Clinkerbeard
Greenlight Chiropractic is fantastic. From the moment you walk in and they know you by name, Jeremy is an awesome manager, facilitator of your visit and needs. Next get time for Natalie to work on you...
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Sabina Uskenova
I really liked it there!! It’s very calm and nice atmosphere that you can trust. Dr, Waters was very patient and explained everything. He didn’t try to sell me a thousand adjustments as you...
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Sylvia Mireles
Hi!!! I just had my last adjustment with Dr. Waters. He has been a gem, his expertise- his sincerity and super genuineness, has been a bright star as part of my overall healing and amazing experience on this...
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Scheduling your visit with Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab is simple. You can call our office directly or visit our Contact Us page to connect with the location nearest you and request an appointment.
Our team can help answer questions, guide you through the scheduling process, and help you find a visit time that works best for your schedule.
Back Pain Patient FAQs
What are the signs that your back pain will not resolve on its own?
If your pain levels are not changing after two weeks, something is likely getting in the way of healing. That is the point where a closer look at your daily habits and treatment plan is needed.
What is the difference between acute and chronic back pain?
Acute back pain comes on suddenly, usually from a specific injury like lifting something heavy or twisting the wrong way. It tends to resolve with the right treatment plan. Chronic back pain has been there for a long time. The longer it stays, the more ingrained it becomes and the harder it is to correct.
That is why we always tell our patients it is easier to address back pain early rather than waiting until it has been there for months or years.
Do I need imaging or X-Rays for back pain?
Not always. We take X-rays when we need a clearer picture of what is going on or to check whether chiropractic adjustments are the right fit for you.
Does insurance cover back pain treatment?
Coverage varies by plan. Our staff can help verify benefits.
How long does it take to see results?
Most patients start seeing a change in pain levels within the first two weeks of care. Younger patients tend to bounce back faster. Older patients or those with degeneration may take longer.
What is back pain?
Back pain is an uncomfortable feeling in your upper, mid, or lower back, often caused by a disease, injury, or age-related wear. Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab offers chiropractic back pain treatment to help you avoid invasive procedures or addictive pain medicine.
What does back pain feel like?
If you have upper, mid, or lower back pain, you may notice the following signs or symptoms: Stiffness, Swelling, Limited range of motion, Dull ache, Radiating pain, Sharp discomfort, Shooting pain, Tingling, Numbness, Muscle aches, Weakness, Muscle tightness or spasms.
Back pain could be mild and go away with rest and home care, or severe and need medical intervention to be ameliorated entirely. See the Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab team at the first sign of a problem.
What are the risk factors for back pain?
Back pain is common, and anyone can develop it. However, certain factors can increase your risk of experiencing it, including: Older age, Lack of exercise, Arthritis, Pinched nerves, Physically demanding job, Heavy lifting, Excess body weight, Smoking, Depression, Anxiety, Poor posture, Scoliosis (curvature of the spine), Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), Osteoporosis, Fractures, Muscle or ligament strains, Ruptured or bulging discs.
Getting regular exercise, using proper techniques when lifting heavy objects, maintaining a healthy body weight, and not smoking help reduce your risk of developing back pain.
How does my doctor diagnose the cause of back pain?
To find out what’s causing back pain and treat it properly, the Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab team reviews your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle habits. They check your vital signs, complete a physical exam, and may order blood tests, bone scans, nerve testing, X-rays, an MRI, a CT scan, or another imaging procedure.
How is back pain treated?
The experts at Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab may recommend the following back pain treatments such as home remedies (rest, ice or heat packs, and wearing a back brace), chiropractic adjustments to better align your spine and reduce pain, and massage therapy with a licensed massage therapist offering a variety of therapeutic techniques for enhanced healing and natural back pain relief.
To get relief from back pain using chiropractic treatments, call the Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab office or schedule an appointment online today.
