When back pain strikes, even sitting, walking, and sleeping can feel like a struggle. At Northwest Chiropractic in Olympia, we focus not only on relieving your pain but also on uncovering the underlying cause so it doesn’t keep coming back. Around here, we often see flare-ups from everyday movement — yardwork, hiking nearby trails, or long commutes — small stresses that build over time until the back finally protests.
What Is Back Pain?
Back pain can arise in the lower (lumbar), mid (thoracic), or upper (cervical) spine. It may present as a dull ache, sharp stabbing sensation, stiffness, or pain that radiates into the legs or glutes. Because the spine supports movement, stability, and load-bearing, it’s vulnerable to many stresses.
Common Causes and Contributing Factors
Back pain often has more than one driver. Common sources include:
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Muscle or ligament strain or sprain
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Disc issues (bulging or herniated) irritating nearby nerves
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Degenerative disc and joint wear
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Facet joint dysfunction
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Sacroiliac (SI) joint problems
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Spinal stenosis or narrowing of nerve passageways
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Scoliosis or structural imbalances
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Postural strain and prolonged sitting or bending
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Prior injuries or compensatory movement patterns
How We Evaluate Back Pain
Your visit starts with a focused conversation about when the pain began, what worsens or eases it, and how it affects your day. We follow with a physical exam of posture, movement, joint function, muscle balance, and neurological signs. If appropriate, we may recommend imaging to clarify what’s happening beneath the surface. This layered evaluation keeps treatment targeted and grounded in findings.
Our Treatment Approach
Your plan is individualized and may include:
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Gentle spinal adjustments and mobilizations to restore alignment
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Soft tissue work to release tight or restricted muscles
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Therapeutic exercise to strengthen supportive musculature
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Core stabilization, movement retraining, and postural correction
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Adjunct therapies such as massage or cold laser
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Ergonomic and habit coaching to reduce recurrence
The aim is to reduce pain, restore function, and help you return to life without constant flare-ups.
What You Can Expect
Many people notice improvement within several visits, especially when care starts early. Chronic or complex cases may require a consistent plan over weeks or months. We adjust your plan as you progress so it reflects real change, not one-size-fits-all protocols.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Care
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop:
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Sudden weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs or feet
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Loss of bladder or bowel control
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Unexplained weight loss, fever, or other systemic signs
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Severe pain after trauma
Who You’ll Work With
Your care team may include Dr. Ed McCullough, DC for targeted spinal adjustments, Dr L. Jake McCullough, DC, for functional nutrition, and Josee Kender, LMT for therapeutic massage to calm tight tissues and support recovery. Plans are coordinated so each visit builds on the last.
Home Strategies Between Visits
Short, frequent movement breaks; gentle walking as tolerated; simple core activation drills provided in the clinic; heat for stiffness or ice for acute soreness if helpful; and avoiding long periods of bed rest. We’ll customize these to your situation and update them as you improve.