What’s really behind your lower back pain – and what to do about it

In the absence of a specific pathology, at the heart of almost all back pain presentation, lies an insidious breakdown in function over time. Maybe there’s a history of prior mild back pain that just went away of its own accord, or maybe some small inconsequential “painless” non-events, often dismissed as just muscular.

If unresolved, these situations may leave your spine compromised and functionally weakened.

The resultant deconditioning of your spine deprives it of the ability to adapt to, and withstand what is more often than not a fairly innocuous strain or injury, finally bringing you to the point of wanting to do something about it.

Whether it be described as chronic, acute, or sub-acute, whether the damage involves the disc (herniation, prolapse, bulging or slipped), the spinal joints (jammed facets) or the nerves (sciatica, radiculopathy or neuritis), the situation has come about as a result of an underlying instability, an underlying imbalance, somewhere in your spine, that is not working properly, not moving properly, and that needs to be corrected before any healing can take place.

Surgery or Conservative Care?

Has the extent of the damage progressed so far that it may now require surgical intervention? Chiropractors are trained to assess both this and whether there is a specific pathology (tumour, infection or fracture).

If neither of the above situations exist, then conservative care, namely chiropractic, is indicated. Chiropractors are recognised specialists in the field of assessing and restoring spinal function.

The Impacts of Back Pain

Invariably, the pain of decreased spinal function and associated tissue damage can affect you at many levels.

At work, pain leading to a reduced ability to focus and maintain concentration levels, affecting performance, is well documented. Struggling with your performance, and your inability to contribute to your team at the level they’re accustomed to, or running your team as efficiently as you usually do, or having difficulty answering to those that you are accountable to, adds further stress to an already compromised nervous system.

At home, the ability to perform the physical tasks associated with looking after your family and kids, while in pain, is no mean feat. Fatigue kicks in easily, exacerbating the physical effort and stress, further increasing both the pain and the difficulty of the task at hand.

At a recreational level, fooling around with your kids or grand-kids, enjoying their company, and the company of friends and loved ones – all are compromised when you are in pain. You may even choose to “sit this one out” and withdraw somewhat from social occasions.

At a sporting level, whether a weekend warrior or a little more serious, at football, netball, pickleball, tennis, hiking or golf, whatever your choice, pain will affect your performance, and aside from the risk of further injury, it will take the joy out of it.

The effect of pain on your mood, and therefore on your relationships, close or otherwise, is well documented.

If these words resonate with you, whether you’re already there, or you see the potential of a similar scenario unfolding, why put up with it?

Get help for your lower back pain

If your back pain is stopping you from doing the things you love, the things you have to do, or the things you feel are your duty to do, then contact me at my clinic in Epping, NSW.

At the initial consultation, I will rule out any red flags and whether referral is required. If not, we will discuss your situation in depth, do a thorough examination, and I will let you know whether I can help you.

I offer evidence-informed assessment, gentle hands-on correction and a personalised rehabilitation plan, aimed at getting you pain-free, moving well and back to living life fully.

To book an appointment, send an enquiry or call me on (02) 9868 2509 today.

Frequently Asked Questions about chiropractic care for lower back pain

Q: What types of lower back pain can a chiropractor help with?

Chiropractors are trained to assess the spine and surrounding muscles, nerves and joints. Typical lower-back conditions we commonly treat include:

• Non-specific (mechanical) low back pain – the very common kind that’s not caused by a specific pathology like infection, tumour or a major fracture.
• Acute and subacute low back pain – sudden onset pain (days to a few weeks) often from a strain or sprain.
• Chronic low back pain – ongoing pain lasting longer than 3 months where movement-based therapies help.
• Sciatica / lumbar radiculopathy (where nerve irritation causes leg pain) – chiropractors can help where conservative care is indicated.

Q: What do chiropractors actually do for lower back pain?

Chiropractors use a combination of:

• Spinal adjustments – application of gentle, specific force or mobilisation to joints of the spine.
• Manual therapy and soft-tissue techniques – including trigger-point work.
• Exercise prescription and rehabilitation – tailored strengthening, stretching and movement retraining.
• Advice and self-management – activity pacing, posture, ergonomics and strategies to stay active.
• Referrals and coordinated care – imaging or medical referral if symptoms suggest serious pathology.

These approaches are aligned with current recommendations for non-surgical, non-drug first-line care.

Q: How effective is chiropractic care for low back pain?

Chiropractic treatment is effective for many people with low back pain – especially when combined with exercise.

Major studies including the international Lancet series on low back pain emphasise that most low back pain improves with conservative care, and that high-value treatment packages focus on staying active, targeted exercise, and avoiding unnecessary medication, imaging and surgery. A recent, large-scale US study also showed that when non-pharmacological treatments such as chiropractic care was the first-line treatment, those patients had significantly fewer opioid prescriptions over the following year.

Put simply: chiropractic care helps people get moving again, reduces pain and improves function. The best outcomes happen when chiropractic treatment is combined with a progressive exercise program and practical self-management advice.

Q: How long until I feel better?

Recovery timelines vary. Many people with acute low back pain improve within weeks with active care; chronic conditions typically require a longer, graded rehabilitation approach. A good chiropractor will set realistic goals, track progress, and adapt the plan if you’re not improving.

Q: What about safety and imaging?

Chiropractic care for uncomplicated low back pain is generally low risk when practitioners screen for red flags and use appropriate techniques. Routine x-rays or MRIs are not recommended unless there are specific clinical reasons. Australian clinical standards and NSW Health patient materials emphasise targeted assessment and avoiding unnecessary scans.

Q: How do I choose the right chiropractor?

Look for a practitioner who:

• Takes a thorough history and performs a physical exam.
• Screens for red flags and refers for imaging or medical review when indicated.
• Gives a clear, goal-oriented plan (treatment + home exercise + timeline).
• Uses spinal adjustment as one tool among others (not the only approach).
• Is happy to coordinate with your GP, physiotherapist or specialist if needed.

Get help for your lower back pain

If your back pain is stopping you from doing the things you love, contact me, Dr Gus Gunther, at my clinic in Epping, NSW. I offer evidence-informed assessment, gentle hands-on correction and a personalised rehabilitation plan, aimed at getting you pain-free, moving well and back to living life fully.

To book an appointment, send an enquiry or call me on (02) 9868 2509 today.