We Help Low Back Pain & Back-Leg-Sciatic Problems.
ProActive Spine Care provides proven, effective, and gentle treatments –– without risky drugs, injections, or surgery.
Things you need to know about low back pain.
Low back pain is a common complaint, and has been said to be ap epidemic proportions globally. Almost everyone will have significant low back pain at some point in their lives. Low abc pain has been placed as the single greatest cause of disability world-wide, and is one of the most expensive health conditioning burdening our health care system. However, even simple low back pain can be a sign of a significant problem, such as nerve compromise, disc herniation, disc tear, fracture, or spinal cord pressure. Low back pain can even signal a problem with an internal organ, or things even more serious.
While some low back problems can just be a “kink” related to a simple joint issue, or a strain related to muscle pain, and may respond in 1-2 treatments, some low back pain is a sign of a progressively worsening or more concerning spinal problem, and may need more to truly address the underlying issue. Perhaps even more important is that back pain has been shown to contribute to deep core muscle weakness, which perpetuates a cycle of recurrent back pain. A qualified professional examination by an expert spine and musculoskeletal professional helps you know what you are dealing with, what concerns are present with respect to low back pain, and what treatment directions are best.
Other issues to know about low back pain.
Other symptom areas such as gluteal, hip, groin, leg, or foot problems, can be related to a low back problem. Hip, leg or foot numbness and tingling are also often linked to a low back problem, and can signal a more serious concern. Now back and leg complaints occurring together increase the likelihood of the root problem coming from the low back (lumbar or lumbosacral spine) area.
We are your low back pain chiropractor in Tacoma.
At Proactive Spine Care, we specialize in low back pain care, with specialized and advanced training, multidisciplinary education, and research-based care. We use proven, gentle, and effective chiropractic and manual therapy treatments, FDA approved high-dosage laser therapy, massage and soft tissue work, alignment and mobility, postural retraining, and functional conditioning to maximize relief and results over the short term. When needed, we help you by coordinating additional diagnosis testing and accelerated care for more severe problems. .
Low Back Pain
Low back pain can be related to joint problems (facet syndrome), disc problems (disc bulge and herniations), muscle problems (myofasical pain) or postural strain. Conservative care such s chiropractic care, massage, and functional retraining are often the best treatment options.
Disc Problems
Low back pain pain is often related to disc problems, such as tearing (internal derangement), bulges, protrusions, and herniations. most people are surprise to find out that most disc problems are managed successfully without surgery. We also make sure the spine is well conditioned as part of recovery.
Sacroiliac Pain
Another cause of low back pain is the sacroiliac joint, which can also involve sciatic-like pain and piriformis syndrome sciatic radiating pain. We specialize in helping disorders of the sacroiliac joint and tailbone pain, which typically respond very well to conservative care like chiropractic and manual therapies.
Sciatica & Radiating Pain
Sciatica is a generic term speaking to pain in the leg, often radiating from the back into the leg. This can be caused by things like direct nerve pressure, disc problems, referred pain from spinal facet or sacroiliac joints, priformis syndrome entrapment, and myofascial pain. We specialize in examination to determine the cause, and treatments to resolve sciatic pain and prevent recurrence.
Numbness& Tingling
Numbness and tingling symptoms often signal neurological involvement, which is typically a higher level of clinical concern. Numbness and tingling can also related to peripheral neuropathy, where the nervous system is having some level of more generalized dysfunction. We specialize in finding the cause and solution to help numbness and tingling.
Pregnancy Back Pain
Back pain in pregnancy is common, and often worse in the second and third trimesters. This is also when ligaments become more relaxed preparing for delivery, which can cause issues with alignment and joint strain make works by pregnancy body changes. Chiropractic care has been shown to help, and we also focus on helping postpartum spine and core conditioning.
The cycle of recurrent low pain.
Most of the health care system is focused on helping people with a current single pain episodes, but research clearly shows that real problem with low back pain is that is it often recurrent. Recurrent neck pain over time is also associated with problems including worsening pain with each subsequent episode, greater frequency and increased duration of subsequent episodes, and more invasive and more expensive treatments coming into the picture.
Bottom line — if there is a narrow focus on low back pain today, without recognizing recurrent low back pain and damage across time, there is an increased risk of more heroic and aggressive treatment across time, with greater likelihood of progressing to surgical interventions, and with greater cost and increased disability.
Breaking the cycle of recurrent low back pain.
At ProActive Spine Care, we help people in Tacoma, WA and surrounding areas break the cycle of recurrent low back pain, and reduce the risk of more invasive and riskier treatment needs down the line. As your Tacoma chiropractor, and with highly specialized training including board-eligible rehabilitation and Certified Primary Spine Provider training, we help manage and resolve the current low back pain, and help you get more complete control of your problem. That means better long-term results and less chance of invasive and more costly care down the line.
About deep spine/core weakness, low back pain, and progressive back problems.
For well over 20 years, clinical research recognized that back pain is strongly associated with the state of functional health in the spine – which includes the functional health of the deep musculature (known as multifidus, rotators, and transversarii muscles) that control and stabilize force and movement around the discs, joints, and nerves. This controls strain and stresss imposed on spinal tissues. Back pain has been shown to cause rapid atrophy of these deep spine/core muscles, with muscle tissue getting replaced by fatty tissue (fatty infiltration). This does not return to normal when pain resolves. Deep muscles have to be reactivated, reengaged, and reconditioning with specific exercise protocols. Sadly, deep spine and core muscle atrophy is often missed or improperly addressed in routine traditional care. Deep spine weakness has been linked to recurrent pain, disc problems, spinal arthritis, spinal stenosis, sciatica, and even spinal osteoporosis compression fractures.
Take note: deep spine/core muscle weakness often remain hidden, much like atherosclerosis in heart arteries, and missed by inadequately trained doctors, therapists, and radiologists. What is not identified remains problematic, and contributes to poor outcomes.
At ProActive Spine Care, we fully understanding the importance of restoring functional spinal health – both to control and speed recovery of recurrent pain, and to help longer-term functional health. We utilized specific testing for deep spine/core muscle health, and specific protocols to maximize training results. Dr. McMillin has been researching, developing, pioneering, and teaching spine and core functional health protocols, including targeting deep spine muscle health.
Low Back Pain Relief in Tacoma, WA
Are you struggling with low back pain? You are not alone. Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people miss work or limit their daily activities. At our chiropractic clinic in Tacoma, WA, we help patients find safe, natural relief from back pain so they can move better and feel better. We help focus on proven short term care solutions for fast relief, and help you prevent recurrent and worsen gin problems in the future.
If you are searching for a low back pain chiropractor in Tacoma, our team is ready to help. Call us today!
Common Causes of Low Back Pain
Your lower back supports much of your body weight. Because of this, spinal tissues can become strained or injured. Poor alignment, muscle weakness or imbalance, and developing arthritis can contribute to low back pain. Common causes include:
- Poor posture
- Sitting for long periods
- Heavy lifting
- Auto accidents
- Sports injuries
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Muscle strains and sprains
Even small daily habits, like slouching at a desk or looking down at your phone, can lead to long-term back problems.
Symptoms of Low Back Pain
Low back pain can feel different for each person. You may notice:
- A dull, aching localized or diffuse pain
- Pin-point sharp or stabbing pain
- Muscle tightness or spasms
- Pain that spreads or radiates into the groin, hips or legs
- Numbness or tingling in the groin or legs
- Difficulty standing up straight, or pain sitting to standing
- Positional pain, such as lying on your back or side.
- Painful sitting or driving.
If your pain lasts more than a few days, gets worse, or keeps coming back, it is important to seek care. Low back pain that is progressively worsening, or associated with injury, saddle area numbness, nocturnal pain, unexplained weight loss, fever, recent surgery or infection, or changes in bowel or bladder function signal a need for immediate or urgent evaluation.
How Chiropractic Helps Low Back Pain
Chiropractic care focuses on the spine and nervous system. When the joints in your lower back are not moving properly, they can cause pain, swelling, and pressure on nearby nerves.
Our Tacoma chiropractor uses gentle spinal adjustments and other therapies to:
- Restore proper joint movement
- Reduce inflammation
- Relieve muscle tension
- Improve posture
- Support natural healing
Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-surgical option for low back pain treatment in Tacoma.
Low Back Pain After a Car Accident in Tacoma, WA
Auto accidents are a common cause of lower back injuries. Even a minor crash can cause damage to muscles, ligaments, and spinal discs. If you are experiencing pain after a car accident, a qualified examination can determine what, if any, injury occurred, the severity, and best course of action.
You may not feel pain right away. Symptoms can appear days after the accident. If you have been in a car accident in Tacoma, it is important to get checked by a qualified provider and thorough evaluation as soon as possible to potential prevent long-term problems.
Sciatica and Low Back Pain
Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed. This often starts in the lower back and can cause:
- Shooting pain down one leg
- Burning or tingling sensations
- Weakness in the leg or foot
Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce pressure on the nerve and improve movement.
What to Expect on your First Visit
When you visit our Tacoma chiropractic clinic for neck pain, we will:
- Review your health history
- Discuss your symptoms, and understand how they are impacting you
- Perform a detailed exam, and coordinate additional diagnostic testing as needed
- Review your findings, and listen to your care preferences and what is important to you
- Create a custom treatment plan, focusing on fast relief and short-term care, with long-term success.
Our goal is to find the root cause of your pain, not just treat or cover up the symptoms.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Low Back Pain
Many patients report:
- Reduced pain
- Better mobility
- Improved posture
- Fewer flare-ups
- Better sleep
- Faster recovery from injury
We focus on long-term results so you can stay active and enjoy life in Tacoma.
Why Choose our Tacoma Low Back Pain Chiropractor?
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Experienced and compassionate care
Exceptional training and clinical advancement
Tacoma area’s only Certified Primary Spine Provider
Personalized treatment plans, and providers that listen to you
Modern techniques
Convenient Tacoma location with professional and comfortable setting
Friendly and welcoming team
We are proud to serve the Tacoma community and help our patients return to work, sports, and family life without back pain.
Top notch care.