Back Pain

Back Pain Treatment is available at Stine Chiropractic Clinic in Fredericksburg, VA

Back Pain

Whether it’s a sharp pain after lifting, chronic stiffness from sitting, or radiating leg pain from a disc issue, back pain can be debilitating. Eighty percent of Americans will experience back pain at least once in their lifetime, often resulting in missing work or other daily activities.

Back pain can originate from muscles, joints, discs, nerves, or even the congenital (present from birth) anomalies of the spine. Because multiple structures can cause similar symptoms and not all back problems respond to the same treatment, accurate diagnosis is the first and most important step.

At Stine Chiropractic Clinic, we use thorough physical exams and imaging when necessary to determine the exact source of your pain and build a personalized treatment plan with effective, non-surgical solutions to help you move and feel better.

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

Back pain can arise from both acute injuries and long-term structural changes in the spine. The most common causes we treat include:

Facet joint injury (Facet Syndrome): inflammation or irritation of spinal joints
Disc injuries, including protruded, extruded, or sequestered discs
Sciatica: nerve irritation or compression causing pain down the leg
Degenerative disc disease: gradual disc wear leading to stiffness and pain
Spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis: narrowing or slippage affecting nerves
Structural variations, such as sacralization, lumbarization, or facet tropism
Osteoarthritis: joint degeneration contributing to chronic discomfort

These conditions can cause symptoms that range from dull, achy stiffness to sharp, shooting pain radiating down the leg. A precise diagnosis ensures that each condition receives the most effective treatment.

Chiropractic Orthopedic Approach to Back Pain

Stine Chiropractic Clinic combines advanced diagnostics with targeted, conservative treatments to promote healing and restore function. Our care plans are tailored to your specific diagnosis and may include:

Spinal manipulation (adjustments) to restore joint motion and relieve pressure
Rehabilitation and strengthening programs for long-term stability
Soft tissue therapies to relax tight muscles and improve circulation
Palliative modalities like ultrasound, electrical stimulation (TENS), and heat therapy
Postural correction and education to prevent re-injury

Chiropractic orthopedics offers a non-surgical, drug-free approach to pain management — ideal for patients seeking safe, evidence-based care without the side effects of medication.

When to See a Chiropractic Orthopedist

If you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s time to schedule an evaluation:

Back pain lasting more than a few days
Pain radiating into your hips, buttocks, or legs
Stiffness or reduced range of motion
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs
Difficulty standing, sitting, or walking comfortably

Our board-certified chiropractic orthopedists are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat complex spine and joint conditions. With on-site imaging and rehabilitation services, we provide comprehensive care under one roof.

Take the Next Step Toward Relief

Back pain shouldn’t control your life. Our team at Stine Chiropractic Clinic has helped thousands of patients in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania, VA, find relief through personalized, non-invasive care.

Call (540) 898-4100
Visit us at 117 Redwood Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Book Online: https://stinechiro.com/contact

Let our board-certified chiropractic orthopedists help you restore function, reduce pain, and get back to the life you love.

Book Appointment

Sciatica

Sciatica is a painful condition that can start in your back and shoot down your leg. This condition can make everyday life difficult and painful.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica has many contributing factors and causes. It may be caused by spinal stenosis, facet referral, piriformis syndrome, or even a protruding or extruded disc.

Sciatica is a term that is used loosely for pain going down the leg; however, it doesn’t answer the question of what is truly causing your leg pain. True sciatica is felt in the entire lower leg as the sciatic nerve is responsible for all of the sensation in the lower leg. F

eeling pains that radiate into the thigh and rarely going beyond the knee should be evaluated for other causes. Seeing a board-certified chiropractic orthopedist should be considered as a first stop to identify the true cause of this pain.

Learn More About Sciatica

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc most commonly occurs in the lower back because this area bears the greatest load and stress during daily activities. A disc acts like a cushion between the spinal bones, with a soft center surrounded by a tougher outer layer.

There are two common types of disc herniation: protrusion and extrusion.

A disc protrusion occurs when the outer layer of the disc weakens and bulges outward, but the inner material remains contained. While this condition can cause leg pain, it typically changes based on position. These cases often respond well to conservative care because the disc structure is still largely intact.

A disc extrusion, sometimes called a ruptured disc, occurs when the inner disc material pushes beyond the outer layer. When this happens, the body recognizes the disc material as foreign and begins a natural healing process. This process creates inflammation near nearby spinal nerves, which can result in pain that travels into the leg that seems to be present the longer you stay in one position.

Both protrusions and extrusions can heal without surgery, but extrusions can take a bit longer to become fully symptom-free due to the body’s inflammatory cleanup process. Healing timelines vary based on the individual, severity, and how early appropriate care begins.

Early evaluation is important, as proper diagnosis allows treatment to be matched to the type of disc injury, helping reduce symptoms and support recovery while avoiding unnecessary intervention.

Low Back Pain

Low back pain affects most adults at some point and is a leading cause of missed work and reduced quality of life. It can develop for many reasons, including joint irritation, disc problems, age-related wear and tear, poor posture, or mechanical stress from daily activities. Because symptoms can look similar even when causes differ, accurate evaluation is essential.

Some people experience stiffness and localized pain in the lower back that may spread into the hips or upper thighs, often worsening with prolonged sitting or standing. Others develop more significant pain that travels into the leg or becomes difficult to tolerate in certain positions, which may indicate disc involvement and requires a different approach to care.

Evaluation focuses on identifying whether pain is joint-related, disc-related, or mechanical in nature so treatment can be matched appropriately. Care is individualized and may include targeted spinal treatment, guided exercise, and supportive therapies. Early, diagnosis-driven care often shortens recovery time and helps patients avoid unnecessary medications or surgery.

Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain typically involves the region between the neck and the shoulder blades and is commonly related to postural strain, joint restriction, or muscular tension. Prolonged desk work, device use, stress, and repetitive activities are frequent contributors.

Symptoms may include stiffness, aching, tightness, or discomfort that worsens with prolonged sitting or certain arm movements. Unlike neck pain, upper back pain is less likely to involve nerve compression but can still significantly affect comfort and mobility.

A chiropractic evaluation focuses on posture, thoracic and cervical joint motion, and muscle balance. Chiropractic care for upper back pain emphasizes restoring normal movement, improving postural mechanics, and reducing repetitive strain. Patients often seek this approach to support long-term upper back pain relief.

Mid-Back Pain (Thoracic Spine & Rib Pain)

Mid-back pain, also referred to as thoracic spine pain, involves the region between the shoulder blades and the lower rib cage. For many patients seeking mid back pain relief, this area is designed for stability, so pain is often related to joint restriction, rib dysfunction, postural strain, or repetitive loading rather than disc injury. Patients commonly report localized stiffness, aching pain, or discomfort that worsens with prolonged sitting, twisting, deep breathing, or certain arm movements.

Thoracic pain is frequently associated with poor posture, especially prolonged forward-head or rounded-shoulder positions common with desk work. We commonly see mid-back pain related to occupational stress, athletics, and rib joint dysfunction. Rib joints attach directly to the thoracic spine and can become restricted or irritated, contributing to sharp or movement-related pain.

A chiropractic evaluation focuses on identifying mechanical restrictions, joint dysfunction, and postural contributors. Chiropractic care for mid-back pain emphasizes improving thoracic mobility, restoring normal rib motion, and addressing muscular imbalance to support lasting pain relief and functional improvement.

Types of mid-back pain: