Back & Neck Pain: Conservative Care That Works
Whether it's a stiff neck, aching low back, sciatica, or a stress headache that won't quit — most of these issues respond well to conservative care. Here's what we treat and how we approach it.
Common Back & Neck Conditions
Back and neck pain can show up in a lot of different ways — sudden and sharp, or a dull ache that's been building for weeks. Here are some of the most common issues we see.
Acute Low Back Pain
Sudden-onset pain, often from lifting, twisting, or an awkward movement. Most cases improve significantly within the first month.1
Neck Pain & Stiffness
Can come from posture, sleeping position, muscle strain, or old injuries that never fully resolved.
Tension Headaches
Often linked to muscle tension in the neck and shoulders — see our section below on the neck-headache connection.
Sciatica-Type Symptoms
Pain, numbness, or tingling that travels down the leg. Read our full sciatica guide →
Hip Pain
Often connected to the same lower back and pelvic mechanics that cause low back pain and sciatica.
Muscle Tightness & Posture Pain
Discomfort from long hours at a desk, driving, or repetitive movement patterns.
Why We Recommend Staying Active
It's a common instinct to rest completely when your back or neck hurts. But clinical guidelines consistently point the other direction: for acute low back pain, first-line care includes advice, reassurance, and encouragement to stay as active as your symptoms allow — not extended bed rest.1,2 Research has not found a clear benefit to prolonged rest, and staying appropriately active is associated with better outcomes.2,3
Exercise and movement-based therapy are considered first-line treatment approaches for low back pain, and spinal manipulative therapy — the kind of hands-on care chiropractors provide — is recognized in clinical guidelines as an appropriate treatment option.2,4 This is the foundation of our approach: conservative, active care rather than passive treatment or unnecessary rest.
What "Conservative Care" Means
Conservative care refers to non-invasive treatment — things like chiropractic adjustments, movement-based therapy, and guided exercise — as opposed to surgery or long-term medication. For most back and neck pain, conservative care is the appropriate starting point, with escalation to further evaluation only if symptoms don't improve or red flags are present.
Can Neck Problems Really Cause Headaches?
Yes, in some cases — though it's worth understanding the distinction. Cervicogenic headache is a recognized headache type where the actual source of the pain is in the neck itself, with pain referred up to the head through shared nerve pathways at the base of the skull.5,6 This happens because upper neck nerves and the trigeminal nerve (which carries sensation from the face and head) converge in the same area of the brainstem, called the trigeminocervical nucleus — so pain signals from the neck can be perceived as head pain.5,6
Tension-type headaches are a different, and more common, headache type. The neck can be involved as a contributing factor — with muscle tension and reduced neck mobility often present — even though the neck isn't considered the direct cause the way it is in cervicogenic headache.6 In both cases, addressing neck mobility, posture, and muscle tension is a reasonable part of a treatment plan, which is why chiropractic evaluation can be relevant to headaches even though a headache itself isn't a "spinal" complaint.
When to Seek Medical Evaluation
Most back and neck pain is appropriately handled with conservative care. But certain symptoms warrant medical evaluation first.
⚠️ Seek medical evaluation if you have:
- New numbness or weakness in an arm or leg
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Fever along with back or neck pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pain following significant trauma
- Numbness in the groin or inner thighs (saddle numbness)
If any of these apply to you, seek medical evaluation before starting conservative care. Otherwise, most back and neck pain is a reasonable candidate for a chiropractic evaluation.
Your First Visit
Tell Us What's Going On
We'll ask about your symptoms, when they started, and what makes them better or worse.
Evaluation
Dr. Segal will assess your spine, joints, and muscles to identify what's contributing to your pain.
A Personalized Plan
Care is built around what we find — not a generic plan every patient receives.
Looking for Self-Care Tips?
Learn safe, gentle strategies for managing back, neck, and muscle pain at home between visits.
Self-Care Guide →Dealing With Leg Pain or Numbness?
Read our in-depth guide on sciatica — causes, red flags, and how chiropractic care may help.
Sciatica Guide →Hurt Right Now?
What's safe to try for back spasms, a stiff neck, or muscle pain while you wait to be seen — and when to seek emergency care instead.
Safe Self-Care Guide →2. Conservative Management of Low Back Pain — PMC, National Library of Medicine.
4. Isolated Exercise Interventions for Acute Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis — PMC.
5. Cervicogenic Headache — Physiopedia.
6. Understanding Cervicogenic Headache — PMC, National Library of Medicine.
Ready to Get Evaluated?
Call, text, or book online — we're happy to answer questions about your symptoms before you come in.
Disclaimer: This page is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical evaluation. If you have any of the warning signs described above, seek medical evaluation right away. Chiropractic care does not guarantee specific outcomes, and results vary by individual and condition.