How Common Is Lower Back Pain—and How Chiropractic Care Can Help You Find Relief Naturally

If you’ve ever felt that familiar ache in your lower back after a long day (or even before it begins – too many of us are waking up with back pain), you’re definitely not alone. Lower back pain is one of the most common health problems in the United States—and one of the top reasons people visit a doctor, miss work, or seek out chiropractic care.

The good news? Back pain doesn’t have to be a lifelong struggle. With the right care—especially chiropractic treatment—you can address the root cause, restore mobility, and get back to the activities you love.

How Common Is Back Pain?

It might surprise you just how many people deal with back pain on a daily basis:

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 39% of adults reported back pain in the past three months (2023).
• TheNational Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that up to 80% of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives.
• Lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study.
• Back pain is one of the top three reasons people seek medical care in the U.S.

These numbers make one thing clear: back pain is not just common—it’s practically an epidemic.

Why So Many People Struggle with Back Pain

Modern life doesn’t exactly do our backs any favors. Whether its hours spent hunched over a laptop, long commutes, or sedentary habits, our spines take the brunt of it.

Common causes include:

• Poor posture (especially from desk work)
• Sedentary lifestyle and weak core muscles
• Improper lifting technique
• Stress and tension causing tight muscles
• Injuries or repetitive motion strain
• Age-related degeneration (arthritis, disc changes)

Even small misalignments in the spine can irritate nerves and disrupt the body’s natural balance—leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Why Chiropractic Care Works for Lower Back Pain

When your back hurts, you might reach for pain medication—but that only masks the symptom. Chiropractic care, particularly the clinically proven care at Chiro One, takes a different approach.

Chiropractors focus on finding and correcting the underlying cause of pain through gentle, targeted spinal adjustments. These adjustments help restore alignment, improve joint mobility, and reduce inflammation—all without drugs or surgery.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Lower Back Pain:

• Drug-free, non-invasive treatment
• Improved spinal alignment and posture
• Reduced muscle tension and inflammation
• Better nerve function and mobility
• Faster recovery after injury
• Improved overall well-being and energy

A 2018 study published in JAMA Network Open found that patients who received chiropractic care for lower back pain experienced significantly less pain and greater function compared to those who received standard medical care alone.

What a Chiropractic Visit Looks Like

Your first visit usually starts with a full assessment—your chiropractor will take a health history, discuss your symptoms, and may use gentle range-of-motion tests or imaging to understand what’s causing your discomfort.

Depending on your needs, treatment may include:

• Spinal adjustments to realign joints and relieve pressure
• Soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle tightness
• In-clinic, active therapies to support the adjustment, help improve balance, flexibility and stability, correct and retrain posture, improve muscle strength and mobility to help prevent future injuries and promote long-term muscle memory for longer lasting relief from pain.
• Lifestyle and ergonomic advice to prevent future pain

Home Remedies and Stretches for Lower Back Pain

Between visits, simple at-home steps can help support your recovery:

Top Home Remedies:

• Apply ice for 15–20 minutes to reduce inflammation after flare-ups
• Use gentle heat therapy (like a warm compress) for muscle stiffness
• Take short walks to promote circulation and mobility

Not sure when to use heat and when to use ice? Get our guide here.

When to See a Chiropractor for Back Pain

You should consider chiropractic care if you experience:

• Persistent pain lasting more than a few days
• Pain that radiates into your hips or legs
• Stiffness or reduced range of motion
• Pain after an accident or sudden movement
• Recurrent flare-ups that affect your daily life

A chiropractor can help pinpoint the source of your pain—whether it’s muscular, joint-related, or neurological—and develop a customized plan to relieve it naturally. Still have questions? Learn more about when it’s time to see a chiropractor here.

Finding Low Back Pain Relief That Lasts

Lower back pain is incredibly common, but it doesn’t have to be something you “just live with.” Chiropractic care offers a natural, effective path to recovery by addressing the root cause, not just the symptoms.

If you’ve been wondering how to relieve lower back pain, a visit to a chiropractor for back pain near you may be the first step toward lasting relief.

In summary:

• Nearly 4 in 10 adults experience back pain at any given time.
• Chiropractic care offers a safe, research-backed, drug-free solution.
• Pair it with gentle stretching and lifestyle changes for long-term results.

Your spine does a lot for you—let’s help it feel its best. Learn more about preventing back pain – and other pain conditions – with good spinal health in this post.