When Should I See a Chiropractor for Back Pain in Loveland?
Most back pain gets a few days to settle. Here is how to tell when it has had its chance and it’s time to get it looked at.
See a chiropractor for back pain when it hasn’t clearly improved after a few days, when it keeps coming back, or when it travels into your hip or down a leg. If you are in Loveland and your back has been talking to you for more than a week, that’s a good time to stop guessing and get an exam.
That’s the short answer. The longer one depends on what your back is doing, so here’s how I’d sort it out if you were sitting across the desk from me.
Why Back Pain Happens in the First Place
Your spine protects your nerves, and your nerves control everything in your body. When a segment of your spine isn’t moving or lined up the way it should, it can irritate the nerves around it, and the muscles nearby tighten up to guard and protect it. That guarding is a lot of what you feel as a “tight” or “locked up” low back.
Sometimes it settles down on its own in a day or two. Sometimes the muscles calm down, but the joint underneath still isn’t moving right, and the pain comes back the next time you bend over to tie your shoes.
Signs It’s Time to See a Chiropractor for Back Pain
Here’s the deal. You don’t need to come in the minute you feel a twinge. But these are the signs I’d pay attention to:
It isn’t getting better after a few days. If it’s the same or worse after three or four days of taking it easy, it isn’t just a tired muscle working itself out.
It keeps coming back. Your back goes out every spring, or every time you lift something wrong. That pattern usually means something underneath isn’t moving the way it should, even between flare-ups.
It travels. Pain, tingling or numbness that runs into your buttock, hip or down a leg can mean a nerve is involved. That’s worth a look sooner rather than later, and our page on sciatica explains more.
It changes how you move. You’re leaning to one side, getting out of the car in stages, or you’ve stopped doing something you like because of it.
It started with an accident or a fall. Even a minor one. Back pain after a crash can show up late, and it deserves an exam either way.
What to Try First at Home
I’ll be honest. Plenty of back pain settles down on its own. For the first couple of days, keep moving gently. Short walks help more than lying on the couch. Ice can take the edge off early on. Avoid the thing that set it off, like heavy lifting or long stretches in the car.
What I see in the office is the other half. People do the home stuff, it feels better, and they figure it’s fixed. Then they say “oh yeah, I’ll get that checked” and don’t, until it goes out again. If you are on your third round of the same back pain this year, home care has had its chance.
When Back Pain Is an ER Visit, Not a Chiropractor Visit
Some symptoms need a medical doctor or the emergency room first. Go to the ER or call 911 for back pain after a hard fall or a crash, trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, leg weakness that is getting worse, back pain with a fever, or pain that is severe and constant even when you lie still. Those come first, every time.
What Happens When You Come In
An exam comes before any care. I’ll ask how it started and what makes it better or worse, then check how your spine moves, your reflexes, strength and sensation, and test the joints that might be involved. That tells me whether this is something I can help with, or something that belongs with a medical doctor or a physical therapist. If it’s the second one, I’ll tell you straight.
If it is something I can help with, the goal is to find the segments that aren’t moving right and realign them, so the nerve interference comes off and the muscles can stop guarding. You can read how we approach it on our lower back pain page. If you’re wondering how long care takes, the phases of care page explains how we decide, with re-exams instead of guesses.
And if your back went out this morning and you can barely get to the car, call us. We do our best to see people the same day.
You Don’t Have to Wait for Back Pain
Most people think of a chiropractor as somewhere you go once your back hurts. That’s one reason to come in, not the only one. An exam looks at how your spine is moving and functioning, not only at pain. Plenty of people get checked to stay at their best: athletes, active adults, and busy parents who can’t afford to be laid up. If Longs Peak is on your list for next summer, you’d rather find out how your back is moving before the climb than halfway up a fourteener.
It’s like brushing your teeth. You don’t wait for it to rot.
A Simple Next Step
If your back has been bugging you longer than it should, start with an exam and let the findings decide. Our New Patient Special includes a consultation with the doctor, an orthopedic and neurological exam, and a report of findings. You’ll leave knowing what’s going on and what I recommend, in plain words. Questions first? Call us at (970) 800-3486, and let’s take a look.
Related Care at Aligned and Well
- Lower Back Pain Relief in Loveland, CO
- Sciatica Pain Relief in Loveland, CO
- Chiropractic Adjustments in Loveland, CO
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Common Questions
Questions Patients Ask Us
How long should I wait before seeing a chiropractor for back pain?
If your back pain hasn't clearly improved after a few days of gentle movement and taking it easy, or it keeps coming back, it's a good time to get an exam. Pain that travels into a leg, or that started with an accident, is worth checking sooner.
When is back pain an emergency?
Go to the ER or call 911 for back pain after a hard fall or crash, trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, leg weakness that is getting worse, back pain with a fever, or severe pain that doesn't ease even when you lie still.
Have a different question? Read the full list of patient questions or call us at (970) 800-3486.
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You have put this off long enough. One thorough exam tells you what is actually going on and what it will take to fix it. Call us or send a request — we will get you in.