Should You See a Chiropractor for Back Pain?

By Lauren Rose Correa, December 17, 2024

If you’ve had any experience with chronic back pain, you know that it can be debilitating. Perhaps you’ve visited your doctor or chiropractor for help in coping with the pain. If you’ve never been to a chiropractor, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. Should you see a chiropractor for back pain? Or should you stick to dealing with it through your primary care doctor?

In my experience with chronic back pain, I’ve found that seeing both of them can be a great help. Here’s my story of how I found a solution to my reoccurring lower back pain. I hope this helps you if you are dealing with something similar!

My Experience with Chiropractic Care

For years, I have been going to the chiropractor for help with a bad back. It started with a sharp back spasm in my mid-20s. It was so painful I couldn’t stand up straight. My friend’s dad was a chiropractor and fixed my back for me.

Since then, I’ve been consistently visiting the chiropractor a few times a year. Usually in the winter, I have at least one experience of my lower back going completely out. It’ll be so sore and misaligned that I can’t stand up straight, and I walk with a hunch. I always would feel better after my chiropractic visit, but I would return later within the year with the same issue.

When I was pregnant with my daughter Lexi, I regularly visited the chiropractor to avoid having problems during pregnancy and while giving birth. I followed a short regimen of exercises the chiropractor gave me to keep things aligned. This proved very helpful, but after given birth things took a turn.

Every month, my back would give out completely. Carrying the baby and nursing her were proving to be a huge strain. I found myself walking around with a hunch while trying to carry a baby around the house. After my third chiropractic appointment in three months, I scheduled a visit with my primary care doctor, who had me get a back x-ray and sent me to physical therapy.

This proved to be a great move. At physical therapy, I was able to learn exercises specifically for my lower back. After a few in-person appointments where I learned the exercises, I stopped going to physical therapy and continued doing this series of exercises on my own at home.

I have been doing physical therapy at home every other day since May of 2024. It’s now November and I have yet to return to the chiropractor. I have an appointment scheduled in January that I intend to keep, and I’ll probably go in twice a year for a tune up after that. I’ve been able to carry my daughter all over the place without any pain!

Should You See a Chiropractor for Back Pain?

I wanted to share my experience because I think it could help someone else with back pain or who just gave birth. I think chiropractic care is so helpful and I’ve seen great results, but after my experience I would also recommend going to physical therapy if the problem is ongoing. With the exercises I now include in my routine, I don’t need to be at the chiropractor as frequently.

What’s your experience with chronic back pain? Do you see a chiropractor or physical therapist? I’d love to hear what has helped you in the comments below!