When Should You See a Chiropractor for Back Pain?

There's a common question patients ask before booking: is this worth seeing someone about? The honest answer for back pain is that it depends on the situation, and you don't need to have a dramatic injury to get value from an evaluation.

A chiropractic evaluation tends to be a good next step when back discomfort has lasted more than a couple of weeks, keeps coming back, or is getting in the way of work, sleep, exercise or daily activities. It's also reasonable when you have a clear mechanical trigger, like the famous 'threw my back out moving furniture' scenario, and you want a professional look at what's going on.

On the other side, certain situations belong with a medical doctor first. Seek medical attention promptly if you have severe or worsening pain, numbness or tingling spreading down a leg, weakness, difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels, or pain following a serious accident or fall. Those are red flags for a reason, and chiropractic care can wait while they get checked out.

If your situation is the usual mechanical kind, a chiropractor like Dr. Gregory Martin will evaluate how your spine moves, explain what he finds in plain English and recommend a plan. Dr. Greg has practiced since 1996 and sees patients in Sparta, New Jersey.

The key point: you don't need to 'prove' your pain is bad enough to be seen. If it's bothering you enough to read this, it's worth a conversation.