Tag Archives: lower back pain

Sciatica and Lower Back Pain Relief: A Hands-On Approach

When Pain Takes Over Daily Life

It started with a twinge-just a nagging ache after sitting too long. Then came the shooting pain down the leg, the numb toes, the sleepless nights trying to find a position that didn’t feel like a jolt of electricity. This is how sciatica creeps in for many people, often paired with relentless lower back pain that disrupts even the most basic daily routines.

This type of discomfort is one of the top reasons people walk into a chiropractor’s office. It’s not just a sore back-it’s pain that radiates, tightens, and limits movement. Sometimes it begins after lifting something heavy or twisting the wrong way. At other times, it develops slowly, often associated with poor posture or prolonged periods spent sitting at a desk. Either way, the nerves are irritated, and the body doesn’t let you forget it.

How Chiropractic Adjustments Help

Chiropractic care addresses this issue by focusing on the structure of the spine. When the vertebrae are misaligned or joints aren’t moving the way they should, nearby nerves, like the sciatic nerve, can get pinched or inflamed. Through specific spinal adjustments, chiropractors help restore natural alignment and mobility, which can alleviate pressure on the nerves and ease pain.

For many patients, this means more than just relief; it means getting back to walking the dog, gardening, working, or simply being able to tie their shoes without wincing. In some cases, people notice changes after the first visit, while others experience steady improvement over several sessions. What matters most is that the body is given the opportunity to heal without drugs or invasive procedures.

One patient, a 42-year-old graphic designer, had tried everything from heat packs to over-the-counter pills. Nothing worked until he visited a chiropractor who specialized in gentle adjustments and guided him through simple stretches. “I thought I’d have to live with this forever,” he said. “I was shocked how quickly things started to turn around.”

Chiropractors may also recommend exercises, posture tips, or ergonomic adjustments for use at home or in the workplace. These small shifts can make a big difference in preventing future flare-ups. The goal isn’t just to ease the current pain but to help the body stay strong and aligned moving forward.

It’s worth noting that clinical studies support this hands-on care. A review in the European Spine Journal found that spinal manipulation was more effective than exercise alone or medical care for sciatica relief and improving function [1].

No one should have to tough it out or mask the pain with temporary fixes. With the right chiropractic care, lasting relief is possible-and life doesn’t have to be lived from the sidelines.


  1. Santilli V, Beghi E, Finucci S. Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations. Eur Spine J. 2006;15(9):1340-1348.

Researching Chiropractic: Piglets, Down Syndrome, Low Back Pain

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, on drugs, and facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care?

Probably most of them.

Piglets and chiropractic.

Chiropractic for piglets?  Why not? Every creature with a spinal column can have subluxations and can benefit from chiropractic care. There are many chiropractors who regularly work on dogs, cats, horses, and other creatures. 

In this study, researchers measured the rate of weight gain in baby pigs. 109 piglets that were weaned on the same day were captured and randomly assigned into a control (CON) or an adjusted (ADJ) group. 

It was found that on average the adjusted group reached the ideal weight 6 days sooner than the control (non-adjusted) group. Feed costs for the adjusted group were thus reduced. (1) 

P.S. An earlier study with chickens showed chiropractic adjustments improved palatability, overall health, and rate of weight gain. Again, something that could cut costs and increase profits. (2)

These studies show the positive effects of animal chiropractic in livestock production settings. 

Down Syndrome in a 7-week-old infant. 

A seven-week-old girl with Down Syndrome was brought in for chiropractic care because of nursing and sleeping issues. Typically, the infant was brought to the clinic when she was having cough, congestion, tactile fremitus (a vibration transmitted through the body), and wheezing problems.

A chiropractic examination revealed that she had upper cervical, thoracic and sacrum subluxations. Her subluxations were adjusted using various chiropractic techniques. 

After the adjustment, the mother reported that the infant was getting stronger, had less congestion, was breathing with fewer wheezes, and her chest was cleaner. The parents reported feeling less fremitus on her chest than before.

The patient had constipation for three days when she was brought in for care. The infant defecated right after the adjustment. 

After 3 visits the baby’s feeding and sleeping issues were resolved. The child continued chiropractic care. After 2 years and 7 months of care, her muscle tone, breathing, and immune function were enhanced. 

The mother reported that chiropractic care helped to increase the infant’s daily function and overall health such as latching and regular sleep patterns. (3)

Low Back pain in a 9-year-old with tethered cord syndrome.

A 9-year-old boy entered the office complaining of a dull, achy low back pain that occurred during football practicing and playing. He had a decreased range of motion and vertebral subluxations. X-rays revealed he had an extra lumbar vertebra (6 instead of 5).

The child had an MRI that revealed a condition known as spinal cord tethering. His spinal abnormalities included lower spinal cord and malformations.

The boy received chiropractic adjustments twice a week for 3 weeks and then once per week for 6 weeks. He was also given stretching and exercises to be done at home.  At the one-year follow-up, the patient was able to play several high school sports without any complications. (4)

Do you know someone with any of these issues?

Please encourage them to make an appointment with us!

(517) 627-4547


1 . Arbuckle A, Fechter W, Hendricks R, et. al. Chiropractic Directed at Subluxation Reduction Improves Speed of Harvest Rate, Reduces Feed Costs and Increases Feed Efficiency in Piglets: A Controlled Field Study of Rate of Gain in 109 Piglets. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, Volume 2022Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~  Volume 2022 ~ June 28 ~ Pages 79-81 Vol. 2022

2. Hayek A; Ormston W, Nolen J. Growth and Quality Enhancement in Broiler Chickens, Midwest Veterinary Conference 2020 

3.6. Amlinger P, Colcombet C. Improved Health Outcomes in a Child with Down Syndrome Undergoing Chiropractic Care to Reduce Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Report & Review of the Literature Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ July 13, 2022, ~ Pages 57-65

4. Carter S, Floyd R, Richardson M et al. Resolution of Low Back Pain in a 9-Year-Old Male with Low Back Pain, Tethered Cord Syndrome, Spina Bifida Occulta and Lumbarization of the S1 Vertebra Following Chiropractic Care: A Case Study & Selective Review of the Literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic ~ Volume 2015 ~ Issue 3 ~ Pages 121-130

 

Researching Chiropractic: Balance, trigeminal neuralgia, & lower back pain

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, on drugs, facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them.

Balance, coordination, and neurological problems

A 65-year-old retired man was suffering from balance and coordination problems. He was given neurological tests that confirmed nervous system stress.  

He sought out chiropractic care where he received a spinal analysis. It revealed the presence of vertebral subluxations. The patient received chiropractic adjustments to release/reduce his subluxations and began to show immediate improvements in balance, coordination, and ability to complete neurological tests. He had been unable to complete the tests during the initial exam. (1)

Woman with trigeminal neuralgia

A 30-year-old woman was suffering from trigeminal neuralgia (also known as tic-douloureux). Trigeminal Neuralgia is an extremely painful condition in which the facial nerve is highly inflamed. It has been called the “suicide disease” because the extreme pain has led some sufferers to take their own lives!

The patient visited a chiropractor that reduced her vertebral (atlas or C-1) subluxation. The patient reported that by her tenth visit she was no longer suffering from TN. (2) 

Lower back pain and degenerative joint disease

A 59-year-old man diagnosed with degenerative joint disease and suffering from chronic lower back pain visited a chiropractor. The Doctor of Chiropractic used various spinal adjustment techniques to correct his subluxations. The patient showed improvement in all his subjective and objective findings within six visits, better immune function, increased energy as well as an increase in his disc height at multiple spinal levels. (3) 

If you know anyone who may be experiencing these issues, please share this article with them and encourage them to make an appointment with us. Call 517.627.4547 today!

 


  1. Scheer A. Improvement in Balance and Coordination in an Elderly Patient Following Chiropractic Care: A Case Report & Review of the Literature. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ Volume 2021 ~ December 6 ~ Pages 68-75.
  2. Sweat M & McDowell B Reduction of Trigeminal Neuralgia Symptoms Following Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic Care: A Case Report. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ June 23, 2014, Pages 34-41.
  3. Syn G, Harper JD, Fedorchuk C. Increase in Disc Height and Autonomic Function in a 59-year-old Male Undergoing Chiropractic Care. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ April 13, 2015, Pages 34-38