top of page
Writer's pictureDr. Lucas Marchand

Understanding the Mechanical Causes of Back Pain in Sioux Falls: A Chiropractic Perspective


Here is an image to pair with your blog post, showing a chiropractor assessing a patient's back in a clinical setting. It captures the professional environment and highlights the mechanical nature of chiropractic care, complementing the themes of diagnosis and treatment.

Back pain is one of the most common complaints that brings people to the chiropractor, but the idea of "non-specific back pain" is misleading. Back pain always has a cause, and as chiropractors in Sioux Falls, our primary job is to diagnose that mechanical cause, treat it, and help our patients build a stronger, healthier body.


 

Diagnose the Mechanical Cause of Back Pain

There is no such thing as non-specific back pain—it’s not all in your head. Pain is a signal that something mechanical is wrong in your body, and the first task of the chiropractor is to help you identify the cause.


Imagine a patient who experiences pain when bending forward (lumbar flexion), but feels no pain when standing or extending their back. This type of pain, known as flexion intolerance, is a mechanical issue. Through chiropractic examination, including orthopedic tests and palpation, we can provoke pain to identify the exact movement or position that triggers discomfort. This provides a clear understanding of what is causing the pain and what needs to be corrected.

 

Getting Rid of the Mechanical Cause of Pain

Once the cause of the pain is diagnosed, the next step is to address it directly. This can involve a combination of chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue work, and movement correction. If a patient has flexion intolerance, for example, we focus on teaching proper movement patterns like the hip hinge, which avoids painful flexion and protects the spine during activities like bending or lifting.


We must remove the mechanical stresses that are causing pain, whether it's through manual therapy, adjusting your posture, or helping you modify activities. Pain is NOT normal and should not be tolerated as part of daily life.

 

Building Performance: Strengthening the Body After Treatment

Once pain is managed and the mechanical causes are removed, it’s time to rebuild and strengthen the body. Building performance in a chiropractic context is about teaching patients the right movements and exercises to ensure they stay pain-free and healthy.


For example, a patient who experiences back pain while walking or running may have hip mobility issues that are putting undue strain on their lower back. By improving hip mobility and flexibility through targeted exercises, we help the patient develop the strength and range of motion they need to prevent future pain and injury.

 

Tuning the Body: Regular Movement and Chiropractic Care for Optimal Health

Walking is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to maintain spinal health. I recommend 20-minute walks after each meal—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—to keep the body moving and maintain spinal health. Regular movement keeps the joints loose, strengthens muscles, and prevents stiffness that can lead to pain.

Chiropractic care isn’t just about treating pain; it’s about tuning the body so that it functions at its best. Regular adjustments can keep your spine aligned, prevent mechanical issues from developing, and ensure your body stays in peak condition for the long term.

 

When to Refer: When Back Pain Isn’t Mechanical

While most back pain is mechanical in nature, it’s important to remember that some pain could be due to visceral issues, such as problems with internal organs. Provocative tests can help us determine whether the pain is coming from a mechanical cause or if it might be something else. If the pain cannot be reproduced with mechanical movement or palpation, the patient may need to be referred to another healthcare provider for further evaluation.

 

Final Thoughts: Back Pain Has a Cause, and It Can Be Treated

As a Chiropractor, I believe that back pain is not something you should live with. By diagnosing and removing the mechanical causes of pain, teaching proper movement patterns, and encouraging regular physical activity like walking, I can help my patients achieve long-term relief and a healthier life.


If you want to read more, here is blog post on sciatica:


If you’re dealing with back pain, it’s time to take control. Pain isn’t normal, and there’s always a cause. Let me help you find it, fix it, and get you back to living pain-free.


Have a wonderful week,


Dr. Lucas Marchand - MyChiro, LLC


Portrait of Dr. Lucas Marchand

4 views0 comments

コメント


bottom of page