Back Pain Treatment in Calgary
Back pain can make it difficult to work, exercise, sleep or complete simple daily activities comfortably. It may begin suddenly after lifting something incorrectly or develop gradually from prolonged sitting, repetitive movement, an old injury, or changes in how the spine and surrounding muscles function.
At Oak Bay Family Chiropractic Centre, we provide personalized back pain treatment in Calgary. We start by assessing your symptoms, spinal movement, posture and relevant health history to better understand what may be contributing to your discomfort. From there, we develop a care plan focused on improving mobility, reducing mechanical stress and helping you return to normal activity.
Back pain does not always have one simple cause. A proper assessment helps determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and which treatment methods may best support your recovery.
How Chiropractic Care May Help Help With Back Pain
Your back is made up of vertebrae, joints, discs, muscles, ligaments and nerves that work together to support movement. Pain can develop when one or more of these structures become strained, irritated or unable to move properly.
Chiropractic care focuses on how the spine, pelvis, and surrounding tissues function. Depending on what we find during your assessment, treatment may help improve restricted joint movement, reduce muscular tension and support more comfortable movement.
Common Symptoms of Back Pain
Back pain can feel different from one patient to another. Symptoms may include:
A dull or persistent ache
Pain after sitting or standing for an extended period
Localized stiffness
Difficulty bending, twisting or lifting
Muscle tightness or spasms
Discomfort extending into the hips, buttocks or legs
Reduced range of motion
Pain that interferes with sleep, work or exercise
The location and type of pain can provide useful information, but symptoms alone do not always identify the cause. This is why your care should begin with an individual assessment.
Common Causes of Back Pain
Back pain can develop because of a single injury or a combination of contributing factors. Common causes include:
Muscle Strains and Sprains
Lifting, twisting, repetitive movement or sudden physical effort can strain the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine. This may lead to soreness, tightness, spasms or pain with movement.
Joint Dysfunction
The small joints connecting the vertebrae help the spine bend and rotate. When these joints become irritated or restricted, you may experience localized pain, stiffness or difficulty moving through your normal range of motion.
Prolonged Sitting and Poor Posture
Working at a desk, driving for long periods or regularly sitting in the same position can place sustained stress on the lower or upper back. Posture is not always the only cause of pain, but limited movement and poorly arranged workstations can contribute to irritation.
Disc Irritation
The discs between the vertebrae help absorb pressure and allow the spine to move. Disc irritation may cause localized back pain or symptoms that extend into the buttocks or legs. Radiating pain does not automatically mean there is a serious disc injury, but it should be properly assessed.
Repetitive or Physically Demanding Work
Jobs involving frequent lifting, bending, twisting or prolonged standing can gradually overload the back, particularly when the same movements are repeated without adequate recovery.
Sports and Exercise Injuries
Back pain may occur after a collision, sudden movement or lifting injury. It can also develop gradually because of repetitive training, limited mobility or a rapid increase in exercise intensity.
Previous Injuries
An older injury may change how you move or distribute weight through your body. These compensation patterns can place additional strain on other joints and muscles, even after the original injury has healed.
Age-Related Changes
Spinal joints and discs naturally change over time. These changes do not always cause pain, but they may contribute to stiffness or reduced mobility in some patients.
Types of Back Pain We Assess
ABack pain may affect different areas of the spine and may require different treatment considerations.
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is often associated with lifting, prolonged sitting, repetitive work, exercise injuries or restricted movement in the lumbar spine and pelvis. Symptoms may remain in the lower back or extend into the hips, buttocks or legs.
Mid-Back Pain
Mid-back pain affects the thoracic spine between the neck and lower back. It may be associated with prolonged sitting, repetitive upper-body activity, muscle strain or reduced mobility through the rib cage and spinal joints.
Upper Back Pain
Upper back discomfort commonly involves the muscles and joints around the shoulder blades and upper spine. Desk work, device use, stress, physical work and repetitive arm movements may all contribute.
Sacroiliac Joint Pain
The sacroiliac joints connect the pelvis to the lower spine. Irritation or restricted movement in this area may cause pain around one side of the lower back, buttock or hip.
Pain That Travels Into the Leg
Back pain accompanied by numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain extending down the leg may involve irritation of a spinal nerve. These symptoms require careful assessment to determine the cause and whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate.
Our Approach to Back Pain Treatment in Calgary
At Oak Bay Family Chiropractic Centre, we don't assume every patient’s back pain has the same cause. Someone who developed pain after lifting at work may need a different approach than someone experiencing gradual stiffness after years of desk work.
We start by learning when your symptoms began, which activities make them better or worse, and how they affect your daily life. We then assess how your spine and surrounding areas are moving before recommending care.
Comprehensive Back Pain Assessment
Your first visit may include a review of:
- When and how your back pain began
- The location, intensity and pattern of your symptoms
- Previous injuries or recurring episodes
- Your work, exercise and daily physical demands
- Spinal and joint mobility
- Posture and movement patterns
- Muscle tension, strength and flexibility
- Neurological or orthopedic findings when appropriate
We also consider symptoms that may indicate the need for medical evaluation or diagnostic imaging. If your presentation does not appear appropriate for chiropractic care, we will recommend the appropriate next step.
Personalized Care Plan
Your treatment plan will be based on the suspected cause of your back pain, how long it has been present, your current mobility and your personal recovery goals.
Some patients seek care for a recent injury, while others have experienced repeated episodes over several months or years. Your recommended frequency and type of treatment will reflect your individual needs rather than a standard plan for every patient.
We will also monitor your response to care and adjust the plan as needed.
Supportive Back Pain Treatments
Depending on your assessment, your care plan may include a combination of chiropractic treatment and practical recommendations.
Chiropractic Adjustments
When appropriate, targeted adjustments may improve movement in restricted areas of the spine or pelvis. The techniques selected will depend on your condition, comfort level, health history and examination findings.
Soft Tissue Support
Muscles may become tight, sensitive, or overworked when they protect an irritated area or compensate for restricted movement. Soft tissue treatment may help reduce tension and support more comfortable movement.
Supportive Physiologic Therapies
Physiologic therapies may be incorporated into care, when appropriate, to help manage irritation, muscular tension, or other symptoms. The therapies recommended will depend on your assessment and stage of recovery.
Mobility and Exercise Recommendations
Rest may be helpful for a short period after an acute injury, but avoiding movement for too long can contribute to stiffness and reduced capacity. We may recommend appropriate mobility or strengthening exercises to help you gradually return to normal activity.
Exercises should be selected according to your symptoms. A movement that helps one type of back pain may aggravate another, so it is important to receive recommendations based on your assessment.
Posture and Activity Guidance
Rather than trying to maintain one “perfect” posture all day, it is often more useful to change positions regularly and reduce prolonged strain. We may suggest adjustments to your workstation, lifting technique, sleeping position or daily routines based on the activities that aggravate your symptoms.
What You Can Do When Back Pain Begins
If your symptoms are mild and there are no warning signs, a few practical steps may help you remain comfortable while arranging an assessment:
- Continue gentle daily movement within a comfortable range.
- Avoid repeatedly testing movements that cause sharp pain.
- Change sitting or standing positions regularly.
- Temporarily reduce heavy lifting or activities that clearly aggravate your symptoms.
- Use supportive positions when sleeping or resting.
- Pay attention to which movements improve or worsen your pain.
Complete bed rest is generally not the best response to uncomplicated back pain. At the same time, trying to push through severe pain can make it harder to understand what is irritating the area. Aim for comfortable movement and have persistent or limiting symptoms assessed.
When Should Back Pain Be Assessed?
Consider booking an assessment if your back pain:
- Continues to interfere with work, sleep or daily activity
- Keeps returning
- Limits your ability to bend, walk, lift or exercise
- Developed after an injury
- Is accompanied by pain, tingling or numbness in a leg
- Is becoming more intense or frequent
- Has not improved with reasonable activity modification
You do not need to wait until the pain becomes severe. An earlier assessment may help identify contributing factors before discomfort affects more of your daily life.
When Back Pain Requires Immediate Medical Attention
Most back pain is musculoskeletal, but certain symptoms may indicate a more serious problem. Seek prompt medical attention if back pain is accompanied by:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Numbness around the groin or inner thighs
- Significant or worsening weakness in one or both legs
- Fever, chills or feeling seriously unwell
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe abdominal or chest pain
- Pain following a significant collision, fall or other trauma
- Severe pain that is rapidly worsening or does not change with movement or rest
These symptoms do not necessarily confirm a serious condition, but they should be medically evaluated rather than managed through routine chiropractic care alone.
Meet Our Calgary Chiropractor
Dr. Brad Pritchard
Born in Winnipeg and raised in Calgary, Dr. Brad was inspired to pursue chiropractic after witnessing his mother’s remarkable health improvement when other treatments had failed, leading him to leave a career in drafting and return to school.
He completed three years of science at the University of Calgary, earned his Doctor of Chiropractic with a Certificate of Clinical Excellence from Palmer College of Chiropractic West in 1994, and later completed over 800 hours of post-graduate study in Functional Neurology before beginning practice in Calgary after passing his Canadian board exams in 1996.
Get Help With Back Pain in Calgary
You should not have to guess what is causing your back pain or which activities are safe to continue. At Oak Bay Family Chiropractic Centre, we take the time to assess how your symptoms began, how your back is functioning and what may be contributing to the problem.
If chiropractic care is appropriate, we will create a personalized treatment plan focused on improving movement, reducing mechanical stress and helping you return to the activities that matter to you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Back Pain
Can a chiropractor help with back pain?
Chiropractic care may help some forms of back pain, particularly when joint restrictions, muscle tension or other mechanical factors contribute to the symptoms. Treatment may include adjustments, supportive therapies, movement recommendations and guidance for reducing aggravating physical stress.
Not every type of back pain should be treated in the same way. An assessment is necessary to determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your symptoms.
What causes lower back pain?
Lower back pain may result from muscle strain, joint irritation, prolonged sitting, repetitive lifting, disc irritation, age-related changes or an injury. In many cases, more than one factor contributes.
Your symptoms and examination findings help us understand which structures and movements may be involved.
How do you determine what is causing back pain?
We begin by discussing when the pain started, where you feel it, which movements aggravate it and whether you have experienced similar episodes before. We then assess spinal movement, posture, muscle function and relevant orthopedic or neurological findings.
If your symptoms suggest that further medical evaluation or imaging may be necessary, we will recommend the appropriate next step.
Is chiropractic treatment safe for back pain?
Chiropractic care can be appropriate for many patients when it follows a thorough assessment and is adapted to the individual. The treatment method should reflect your symptoms, health history, comfort level and examination findings.
We will explain the recommended approach and answer your questions before beginning treatment.
Does a chiropractic adjustment hurt?
Adjustments are generally intended to restore movement without causing significant pain. You may feel pressure during treatment, and some patients experience temporary soreness afterward, similar to the feeling after unfamiliar physical activity.
If an area is particularly sensitive, the technique can be modified according to your comfort and condition.
How many treatments will I need?
There is no single treatment schedule for every type of back pain. The number and frequency of visits may depend on the cause of your symptoms, how long they have been present, their severity and how you respond to care.
We will expla
in the initial recommendation and reassess your progress as treatment continues.
Should I rest when I have back pain?
A short reduction in aggravating activity may be helpful after an acute injury, but prolonged bed rest can contribute to stiffness and reduced conditioning. Gentle movement is often better than complete inactivity, as long as it doesn't cause sharp or worsening pain.
The most appropriate activity level depends on your symptoms and suspected injury.
Can chiropractic care stop back pain from returning?
No treatment can guarantee that back pain will never return. Chiropractic care may help address joint restrictions and other mechanical factors associated with a pain episode. Exercise, movement habits, appropriate lifting techniques and managing physical demands may also help reduce recurring irritation.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor in Calgary?
No. Chiropractors are primary healthcare providers in Alberta, so you can book an assessment directly without a physician’s referral. Coverage varies by extended health insurance plan, so check your policy if you plan to submit the cost of care.
