Low Back Pain Treatment in San Diego

Low back pain is the single most common condition we see at our UTC San Diego practice — which makes sense, because it's also one of the most common reasons people miss work, skip the gym, and spend their evenings Googling "why does my back hurt when I sit."

 

The good news: most low back pain is mechanical, which means it responds well to chiropractic care. The bad news: it rarely goes away on its own when the underlying joint restriction and muscle dysfunction aren't addressed.

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What's Actually Causing Your Low Back Pain

Low back pain almost always involves some combination of restricted joint motion in the lumbar spine or pelvis, overworked muscles compensating for that restriction, and movement patterns that keep loading the same structures over and over. Common contributors include prolonged sitting, repetitive lifting or bending, muscle imbalances from training or desk work, and previous injuries that were never fully resolved.

 

The specific cause matters because it determines the treatment. A thorough evaluation at your first visit identifies exactly what's driving your symptoms — not just where it hurts.

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How We Treat Low Back Pain

Chiropractic Adjustments Restricted joints in the lumbar spine and pelvis are the most common mechanical driver of low back pain. Adjustments restore normal joint motion, reduce the compensatory muscle tension that builds up around those restricted segments, and take the load off structures that have been overworked.

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Spinal Traction For low back pain involving disc-related pressure or significant joint compression, we use the Hill Labs Auto Flexion Table — a specialized traction table that decompresses the lumbar spine and reduces pressure on discs and nerve roots. This is particularly effective for patients whose pain is worse with prolonged sitting or who have symptoms that extend into the hip or leg.

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Soft Tissue Therapy & Active Release Technique Joint restriction and muscle dysfunction go hand in hand. ART and hands-on soft tissue work address the tight muscles, restricted fascia, and connective tissue adhesions that keep the low back locked up — and that adjustments alone don't fully resolve.

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Every visit combines all three approaches. You're not getting a five-minute adjustment and sent on your way.

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Low Back Pain and Sciatica

Some patients with low back pain also experience pain, numbness, or tingling that travels into the hip, glute, or down the leg. This is often referred to as sciatica and usually involves nerve irritation in the lower lumbar spine. If your low back pain includes leg symptoms, check out our Sciatica page for more detail on how we approach that specifically.

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Common Questions

Can a chiropractor fix low back pain?

For mechanical low back pain — which accounts for the vast majority of cases — yes. Chiropractic care addresses the joint restriction and muscle dysfunction that drive most low back pain. Patients with disc herniations, nerve compression, or sciatica also typically respond well, though the treatment approach and timeline may differ.

Why does my low back hurt after sitting all day?

Prolonged sitting increases pressure on the lumbar discs and causes the joints of the lower spine and pelvis to stiffen. Over time, the surrounding muscles become chronically tight from compensating. The result is that familiar stiffness and ache that hits by mid-afternoon and gets worse the longer you sit.

How many visits will it take?

Depends on how long it's been going on and what's driving it. Acute low back pain that flared up recently often responds within a few visits. Chronic low back pain that's been building for months or years takes longer to fully resolve — but most patients notice meaningful improvement early in care.

Should I rest or stay active with low back pain?

Stay as active as your symptoms allow. Complete rest tends to slow recovery. Movement — even gentle walking — helps maintain circulation and prevents the joints and muscles from stiffening further. We'll give you specific guidance based on your presentation.

Is chiropractic care safe for low back pain?

Yes. Chiropractic adjustments for low back pain are safe and well-supported by research. Dr. Loewenstein tailors the technique and force to each patient's specific presentation and comfort level.

Do you treat low back pain in athletes?

Absolutely. Low back pain is extremely common in runners, lifters, and CrossFit athletes. Treatment accounts for your training demands and is designed to keep you moving as much as possible while you recover.

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📍 Located in UTC/University City, serving La Jolla, Sorrento Valley, UCSD, and greater San Diego.

In-network with Aetna, Blue Shield, Anthem, and UnitedHealthcare.

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