Back pain can affect work, sleep, exercise, driving, and everyday movement. It can also come from more than one structure or condition. At McDowell Chiropractic, Dr. Ben McDowell begins with a history and examination to determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate or whether another type of evaluation is needed.
Request a Back-Pain EvaluationCall (770) 599-7139
Musculoskeletal discomfort may develop after an auto accident, exercise or gym activity, work, daily life activities, or another identifiable event. In other situations, symptoms may appear without an obvious triggering event or seem to come "out of nowhere." An evaluation helps determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate or whether another type of care is needed.
Low-back or mid-back pain may be associated with muscle strain, joint irritation, changes in a disc, repetitive activity, prolonged sitting, lifting, a fall, a collision, or a medical condition. Pain location alone cannot identify the cause.
A responsible chiropractic page should not promise to "fix the root cause" before a patient has been assessed. The first goal is to understand how the symptoms began, what makes them better or worse, whether they extend into a leg, and whether any warning signs require a different level of care.
Seek urgent medical evaluation for back pain accompanied by new loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in the groin or saddle area, severe or rapidly progressing leg weakness, fever with severe back pain, major trauma, or other alarming symptoms. Call 911 when the situation may be a medical emergency.
This list is not complete and cannot diagnose your condition. When in doubt, seek medical care.
Spinal manipulation is one of several nondrug approaches that may be considered for selected people with acute or chronic low-back pain. Research summarized by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health suggests small or modest average improvements in pain or function for some patients. The VA and Department of Defense guideline suggests spinal mobilization or manipulation as part of a multimodal program for chronic low-back pain, while evidence is less certain for some acute presentations.
That evidence does not mean every person will benefit. A care decision should consider your specific presentation, preferences, risks, previous treatment, and other appropriate options.
Dr. McDowell asks when the pain began, where it is located, what movements affect it, whether it travels into a leg, and how it affects daily activity. Bring information about prior injuries, imaging, surgeries, medications, and health conditions.
The examination may assess movement, posture, tenderness, joint function, strength, sensation, reflexes, or other findings relevant to the complaint. The clinic should publish only procedures Dr. McDowell actually performs.
After the evaluation, Dr. McDowell may recommend chiropractic care, imaging, a home-management strategy, coordination with another provider, or referral. Imaging should be used only when clinically appropriate and when the result may affect management.
Depending on the confirmed services offered and the evaluation findings, care may include a manual or instrument-assisted chiropractic technique, activity modification, ergonomic guidance, home exercises, or coordination with another healthcare professional. McDowell Chiropractic offers instrument-assisted options, including Atlas Orthogonal and Activator Methods.
The plan should identify:
No clinic can responsibly guarantee pain relief or a specific recovery date. Improvement may be gradual, limited, temporary, or absent. The goal is to monitor meaningful changes in pain, function, sleep, work, walking, lifting, or other activities that matter to you.
If progress does not match the agreed goals, the plan should be reconsidered. Continuing the same treatment indefinitely without measurable benefit is not a patient-centered strategy.
Spinal manipulation may provide small or modest improvements for some people with low-back pain, but the likely benefit depends on the cause and the individual. An examination helps determine whether chiropractic care is a reasonable option.
Not always. Imaging is generally most useful when the result could change management or when symptoms and history suggest a need for further investigation. Dr. McDowell should explain why imaging is or is not recommended.
Leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness can have several causes and deserves careful evaluation. Severe or progressive weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or saddle-area numbness requires urgent medical attention.
There is no standard timeline for every patient. Ask for an initial plan, measurable goals, a reassessment point, and an explanation of what will happen if the expected improvement does not occur.
Activity recommendations depend on the cause and severity of the pain. In many cases, appropriate movement is part of a broader plan, but your doctor should advise you based on your presentation. Seek urgent care for warning signs rather than trying to exercise through them.
If back pain is limiting your daily activities, request an appointment with McDowell Chiropractic in Roswell. Dr. McDowell can evaluate whether chiropractic care may be appropriate and explain the next step.
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Request a Back-Pain EvaluationCall (770) 599-7139
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