Low back pain is the most common condition we treat at Loop Spine & Sports Center, and it is one of the most prevalent health complaints among working adults in the United States. For patients in the Chicago Loop and surrounding neighborhoods, the combination of long hours at a desk, daily commuting, and the physical demands of an active urban lifestyle creates the ideal conditions for low back pain to develop, persist, and become a recurring part of daily life.
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If you have been dealing with low back pain, you already know how much it affects everything. Getting up from a chair, sitting through a long meeting, walking to the train, sleeping through the night. Low back pain does not stay in your back. It works its way into every part of your day.
Why Low Back Pain Develops
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Low back pain rarely has a single cause. In most cases it involves a combination of factors that have been building over time. Prolonged sitting compresses the lumbar discs and tightens the hip flexors and hamstrings, creating muscular imbalances that put uneven stress on the spine. Poor workstation ergonomics compound the problem. Add in stress, inadequate movement throughout the day, and the occasional physical demand that the body is not prepared for, and the conditions for low back pain are well established.
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The most common underlying causes we find during examination include restricted or misaligned vertebral segments in the lumbar spine, herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc changes, muscle spasm and tightness, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and hip and pelvic imbalances. In many cases several of these are present simultaneously, which is why a thorough examination matters before treatment begins.
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How We Treat Low Back Pain
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At Loop Spine & Sports Center, low back pain is treated with a combination of approaches tailored to what the examination finds. The foundation of care for most patients is diversified spinal adjusting, which addresses restricted and misaligned vertebral segments throughout the lumbar spine and pelvis. For disc-related conditions, lumbar flexion distraction and pelvic drop technique are used to gently decompress the affected segments without forceful manipulation. Spinal decompression therapy is added for cases involving significant disc herniation or degeneration.
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Massage therapy is a central part of low back pain treatment here. The muscular component of low back pain is significant and often undertreated in chiropractic offices that focus exclusively on adjusting. Our massage therapists address the deep paraspinal muscles, hip rotators, glutes, and surrounding soft tissue that contribute to pain and restricted movement. Most patients receive massage as part of their regular visits and find that the combination of adjusting and soft tissue work produces significantly better results than either alone.
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Custom foot orthotics are also frequently part of the treatment plan for low back pain patients where foot and lower extremity mechanics are contributing to lumbar stress.
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What to Expect
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Your first visit begins with a thorough consultation and examination. Dr. Trottier will review your history, perform orthopedic and neurological testing, and take digital x-rays if clinically indicated. He will explain what he found and what he recommends before any treatment begins. In most cases treatment starts the same day.
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Most patients with acute low back pain begin to notice improvement within the first few visits. Chronic conditions typically require a more consistent treatment schedule over the first several weeks before meaningful progress is established. Dr. Trottier will give you a realistic sense of what to expect based on your specific presentation during your first visit.
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Ready to Get Out of Pain?
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New patients are welcome and can take advantage of our $75 first visit special, which includes a thorough consultation, complete spinal examination, digital x-rays if needed, and a report of findings. No pressure, no obligation. Just an honest conversation about what is going on and whether we can help.
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Loop Spine & Sports Center is located at 30 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 605 in the heart of the Chicago Loop, steps from Millennium Park and accessible from every CTA train line.