Low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint that enters the doors at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.  About 80% of the population will suffer from low back pain in their lifetime.

The low back consists of numerous muscles, joints, and ligaments, and if there is dysfunction in these areas it can cause low back pain.

Our job at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center is to determine the cause of the pain, and then proceed with treatment. Our goal is to return the patient back to their lives pain-free.  The doctors at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic are considered experts in treating low back pain.

Back Pain

Some of the most common low back conditions we see at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center are as follow:

  • Lumbar Disc Syndrome/ Radiculopathies/ Pinched Nerves
  • SI Joint Pain
  • Lumbar Sprain/ Strain
  • Lumbar Stenosis
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Facet Syndrome
  • Sports Injuries

Low back pain presents in both the young and the old.  In fact, most lumbar disc conditions happen between the ages of 20 and 60.

Common causes of low back pain include:

  • A tightness or loss of movement in the joint or muscle
  • A lack of stability or strength
  • Poor posture
  • Poor ergonomics
  • Repetitive use
  • Sports injuries
  • Auto injuries
  • Work-related injuries

Low back pain may cause local pain in the low back or referral pain in the hip/buttocks and down the leg.  The intensity of the pain can be mild, moderate, or severe.  

Low back pain can be a chronic long-term condition or can come on quickly and cause acute severe pain.  All of which are frequently treated at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center and respond favorably to our conservative, drugless approach.

What you should expect at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center

On your first visit, our doctors perform a thorough history and examination which determines the diagnosis and course of treatment.

If X-rays are warranted, they are taken in house, using our state of the art digital X-ray unit.  Each treatment plan is customized to your specific condition.

Our goal is to get you out of pain at the same time finding the cause of your pain.  Mt. Lookout Chiropractic has the most effective and efficient course of treatment with tremendous results for your low back pain.

Back Pain

How we can help your low back pain

You do not have to live with your back pain nor should you.  Whether it is acute low back pain, or you have been experiencing low back pain for years, Mt. Lookout Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center is here to help. Schedule your New Patient Appointment Today!

“I have been going to Dr. Placeway at Mt. Lookout Chiro for about 5 years now. I have had long time chronic back issues and been to multiple chiros in the that were good, but the problems persisted.

In addition to the adjustments, Dr. Placeway updated my exercise routine. This combination has given me the most relief I have had in a long time!

The staff at Mt Lookout Chiro is also awesome. I am able to book timely appointments that fit my schedule and they are always very friendly and accommodate my needs.”

John P. // -Pleasant Ridge, OH

Our Methods to treat your low back pain

  • Chiropractic adjustments to the spine and extremities help restore motion, balance musculature, and reduce pain.  Our doctors utilize many techniques and can determine which method is best suited for the patient.   The doctors at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic have done extensive training with the Motion Palpation Institute.  They use Gonstead and Diversified adjusting techniques.  Our treatments are safe, gentle, and comfortable for the patient.
  • Soft tissue or myofascial release techniques treat the affected soft tissue including muscle/ligament and tendon dysfunction.  This helps reduce inflammation, break down scar tissue/adhesions, and increase circulation to speed healing.
  • Physiotherapies or passive therapies such as electric stimulation, heat, ice, ultrasound, and level IV cold laser.  These help reduce inflammation and speed healing.
  • Decompression traction helps decompress, traction, or stretch the spine and is most effective when treating disc pain, disc degeneration, and radiculopathies.
  • Rehabilitation to help build strength and stability to help prevent future injuries.

Common Conditions Treated at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center

 

Disc Herniation or Radiculopathies (pinched nerves)

The most common age range of those that suffer from disc-related low back pain are ages 20-60.  Therefore, this is not an age-related condition, meaning it does not get worse as you age.

Our disc is made up of a strong fibrous material or the annulus fibers on the outside and a jelly-like material on the inside referred to as the nucleus pulposus.

If that strong fibrous material is compromised and the jelly-like material migrates toward the nerve, many symptoms may arise such as localized low back pain or referred pain to the SI joint or buttock.

The disc can develop into a herniation, this is when the jelly-like substance pushes out onto the nerve root and causes nerve pain into the buttock and or leg.

This sciatic type of nerve pain can be severe and make day-to-day activity difficult.  Conservative care at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center including adjustments, traction, and myofascial release, rehab exercises, physical therapies, and modalities can treat this pain effectively and efficiently getting you back to a pain-free life.

 

Degenerative Disc Disease/ Arthritis/ Osteoarthritis

Often as we age, we develop arthritis.  At times, arthritis can cause pain but not always. Arthritis or degeneration is the process in which we start to lose the cushion, padding, and the viscosity/fluidity of the joint.

This is commonly known as wear and tear and on X-ray, the joint appears to look like it is “bone on bone.” Some factors that accelerate degeneration are weaknesses, tight muscles or joints, abnormal biomechanics, and poor nutrition habits.

These factors cause the joints to become more vulnerable to pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

 

Lumbar Stenosis

Lumbar Stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal and is often an age-related condition. This can cause localized low back pain or pain down one or both legs.  Most often, this type of low back pain is worse when standing, walking, and bending backward.

The doctors at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center are very skilled at diagnosing, treating the pain associated with lumbar stenosis, and preventing further progression.

 

Thoracic/ Lumbar sprain/strain

This is an injury to the surrounding ligaments (sprain) or musculature (strain) of the low back.  This is often caused by an acute injury commonly associated with a sports injury, auto accident, work injury, or postural stress.

Lumbar sprains/ strains will cause pain and inflammation locally to the low back. This pain can be minimal, moderate, or severe.

 

SI Joint Sprain

The SI joint is a load-bearing, shock-absorbing joint between the spine and the pelvis.  The SI joint is responsible for approximately 8-13 percent of low back pain.

Common causes of sacroiliac pain are weakness in the core and glutes, prolonged sitting, leg length inequalities, pregnancy, gait abnormalities, poor ergonomics, poor biomechanics, sports injuries, auto injures, and work-related injuries.

 

Sports Injuries

The Mt. Lookout Chiropractors & Physical Therapists are experts at treating sports injuries and sports injuries to the low back are no exception.

Lumbar sprains/strains, disc herniations, radiculopathies, stress responses, and facet syndromes are commonly seen in athletes.

We have over 35 years of experience treating the sports injuries of kids, collegiate and professional athletes, and weekend warriors in Cincinnati, Ohio.

FAQ About Our Approach to Back Pain


How long will it take for my back pain to go away?

You will often experience pain relief quickly.  The doctors will devise a treatment plan taking into consideration

  1.     Duration of pain
  2.     Age
  3.     Family history
  4.     X-ray and MRI findings
  5.     Activity level
  6.     Stress level
  7.     Health History
  8. Orthopedic/neurological/chiropractic exam findings

Once I see a chiropractor will I have to keep coming back?

Our goal is to release you from care at the end of your treatment plan.  You will have the necessary tools to be independent and live a healthy pain-free life.


If I am in a lot of pain, should I come in right away?

Yes, you should come in right away when you experience pain.  We have many tools to alleviate all levels of pain.  We will gently treat your low back pain to get you on the road to relief.


Will the treatment hurt?

Our methods are gentle, comfortable, and effective.


What if I am slow to respond?

If you are slow to respond, we have access to order the necessary images or tests to gather more information.  We have an extensive network of appropriate referrals from the best physicians in Cincinnati.  We collaborate with these doctors to find solutions and get you back to a healthy pain-free life.


Related Research:

  • Bade M, Cobo-Estevez M, Neeley D, Pandya J, Gunderson T, Cook C. Effects of manual therapy and exercise targeting the hips in patients with low-back pain-A randomized controlled trial. J Eval Clin Pract. 2017 Aug;23(4):734-740. doi: 10.1111/jep.12705. Epub 2017 Jan 27. PMID: 28127827.
  • Goertz CM, Long CR, Hondras MA, Petri R, Delgado R, Lawrence DJ, Owens EF, Meeker WC. Adding chiropractic manipulative therapy to standard medical care for patients with acute low back pain: results of a pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Apr 15;38(8):627-34. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31827733e7. PMID: 23060056.
  • Katz JN. Lumbar disc disorders and low-back pain: socioeconomic factors and consequences. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006 Apr;88 Suppl 2:21-4. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.E.01273. PMID: 16595438.
  • James M Whedon, DC, MS, Andrew W J Toler, MS, Louis A Kazal, MD, Serena Bezdjian, PhD, Justin M Goehl, DC, MS, Jay Greenstein, DC, Impact of Chiropractic Care on Use of Prescription Opioids in Patients with Spinal Pain, Pain Medicine, Volume 21, Issue 12, December 2020, Pages 3567–3573
  • Lawrence DJ, Meeker W, Branson R, Bronfort G, Cates JR, Haas M, Haneline M, Micozzi M, Updyke W, Mootz R, Triano JJ, Hawk C. Chiropractic management of low back pain and low back-related leg complaints: a literature synthesis. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008 Nov-Dec;31(9):659-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.10.007. PMID: 19028250.