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Back Pain

Back pain is one of the leading causes of missed work and reduced quality of life worldwide. It may develop suddenly after an injury or gradually from posture, repetitive strain, or spinal changes. Pain can feel like a dull ache, sharp spasm, stiffness, or radiating discomfort into the hips and legs. Because the back supports nearly every movement, untreated pain often affects sleep, exercise, and daily activities.

What Is Back Pain?

Back pain is one of the most common health problems worldwide, affecting people of all ages and lifestyles. It may appear suddenly after an injury or build up gradually through poor posture, repetitive strain, or spinal misalignments.

For some, back pain feels like a dull ache. For others, it’s sharp, stabbing, or tied to muscle spasms that stop them in their tracks. Because the back is central to nearly every movement, pain here can interfere with work, sleep, exercise, and quality of life.

At Aligned Modern Health, we understand that no two cases of back pain are alike. That’s why we take a root-cause, whole-body approach to find what’s really driving your discomfort—and create a personalized plan for lasting relief.

Common Symptoms of Back Pain

Back pain may show up in different ways, such as:

  • Aching, soreness, or stiffness in the back muscles

  • Sharp or shooting pain that limits movement

  • Muscle spasms or cramping in the back

  • Tightness or reduced flexibility

  • Pain that radiates into the hips, buttocks, or legs

  • Swelling, instability, or weakness in the back

Because symptoms vary, it’s important to identify the true cause of pain before choosing a treatment plan.

Root Causes and Contributing Factors

Back pain is rarely caused by just one thing. Common contributors include:

  • Poor posture and prolonged sitting or device use

  • Muscle strain or overuse from lifting, exercise, or repetitive motions

  • Injuries such as falls, accidents, or sports trauma

  • Spinal misalignments that stress muscles, joints, and nerves

  • Degenerative changes like arthritis or disc issues

  • Stress and tension that tighten back and core muscles

Learn more about pain, movement, and recovery and how our providers address the underlying factors behind musculoskeletal discomfort.

How Back Pain Is Diagnosed

Our providers take a comprehensive approach, which may include:

  • Chiropractic and physical exam to assess alignment, mobility, and muscle function

  • Movement testing to understand patterns that trigger pain

  • Imaging (X-ray or MRI) when structural issues or injuries are suspected

  • Functional medicine testing to check for inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, or systemic contributors

This root-cause approach helps us understand not only where the pain is—but why it’s happening.

Our Treatment Approach

At Aligned Modern Health, your back pain care plan may include:

  • Chiropractic Care: Adjustments to restore spinal alignment, reduce nerve pressure, and improve mobility.

  • Functional Rehabilitation: Exercises to strengthen stabilizers, improve posture, and prevent reinjury.

  • Acupuncture: Calms muscle spasms, reduces inflammation, and promotes circulation.

  • Functional Medicine & Nutrition: Identifies systemic contributors like stress, poor sleep, or inflammation.

  • Lifestyle Coaching: Ergonomic and posture recommendations for long-term relief.

This integrative approach supports both short-term recovery and long-term spinal health.

Conditions Commonly Linked to Back Pain

Back pain can take many forms. Explore our dedicated condition pages to learn more:

Visit our Pain, Movement & Recovery page for more information on how we treat spinal pain and related conditions.

What to Expect From Care

Your journey at Aligned Modern Health includes:

  • Initial Visit – Review of history, symptoms, and movement assessment.

  • Diagnostics – Imaging or testing if needed to uncover the root cause.

  • Personalized Care Plan – Tailored chiropractic, rehab, acupuncture, and functional medicine.

  • Ongoing Support – Regular visits to restore function and prevent recurrence.

Appointments are available in-person at our Chicagoland clinics, with virtual options for functional medicine and nutrition.
We accept major insurance, and all services are FSA/HSA eligible.

Is Back Pain Affecting You?

Back pain doesn’t have to limit your daily life. With root-cause, whole-body care, you can restore mobility, reduce discomfort, and prevent future flare-ups.

Book a visit today and take the first step toward lasting relief from back pain.

Schedule an Appointment

Fill out the form below and our team will get back to you as soon as possible. For immediate assistance, please call 773-598-4387.

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