Category Archives: Lower back pain

chiropractic, Lower back pain, neck pain

How Chiropractic Care May Influence the Brain — Not Just the Spine

Leave a comment

Why Chronic Low Back Pain Is More Than Structural

At Sikorsky Chiropractic & Fitness Clinic in Elgin, IL, we often explain that pain is not just about structure — it is also about how the nervous system responds.

New research published in Frontiers in Neurology (2025) supports this idea.

A recent review examined how spinal manipulation therapy affects brain function in people with:

This research helps us better understand why chiropractic care can play an important role in long-term recovery.

Chiropractic Care and the Brain

Most people associate chiropractic treatment with:

  • Joint mobility
  • Muscle tension
  • Spinal alignment

However, the nervous system is deeply involved in how we experience pain.

The review analyzed neuroimaging studies to observe what happens in the brain before and after spinal manipulation.

Researchers found measurable changes in brain regions involved in:

  • Pain perception
  • Movement control
  • Emotional processing of pain
  • Sensory integration

These included areas such as:

  • The prefrontal cortex
  • The insula
  • The anterior cingulate cortex
  • Sensorimotor regions

These areas are responsible for how the body interprets discomfort and regulates movement.

Why This Matters for Patients in Elgin

Chronic low back pain is not always caused by ongoing injury.

Over time, the nervous system can become overly sensitive — continuing to signal pain even after tissues have healed.

This process is known as central sensitization.

The findings suggest spinal manipulation may help regulate how the brain processes pain signals, supporting more balanced communication between the brain and body.

At our Elgin chiropractic clinic, this aligns with what we see every day:

Pain is often both mechanical and neurological.

Movement, Stability, and Nervous System Function

Pain changes movement patterns.

In turn, movement changes how the brain interprets pain.

This is why combining chiropractic care with movement-based rehabilitation is essential.

Spinal manipulation may help create a temporary window where:

  • Pain sensitivity decreases
  • Motor control improves
  • Movement feels safer

This allows patients to return to:

  • Exercise
  • Work
  • Sports
  • Daily activities

with less guarding and fear.

What This Means for Low Back Pain Treatment

If you are dealing with:

  • Disc injuries
  • Chronic low back pain
  • Recurring flare-ups

Treatment should focus on more than symptom relief.

A comprehensive plan should include:

  • Restoring movement
  • Improving nervous system function
  • Building long-term resilience

Chiropractic care may support the nervous system’s ability to regulate pain more effectively.

Chiropractic Care in Elgin, IL

At Sikorsky Chiropractic & Fitness Clinic, we take a performance-based approach to treating back pain.

Our goal is not only to reduce discomfort but to:

  • Improve movement
  • Enhance stability
  • Support long-term recovery

Research like this helps explain why addressing both the spine and nervous system is essential for lasting results.

Reference

Cao, L., Shu, J., & Li, B. (2025).
Brain functional changes following spinal manipulation therapy in patients with lumbar disc herniation and chronic low back pain: A scoping review.
Frontiers in Neurology, 16, 1712320.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1712320

chiropractic, Lower back pain

Cervical Spine Manipulation Remains Safe

Leave a comment

Each year, new research reinforces the same conclusion: chiropractic spinal manipulation poses no greater risk than other forms of treatment. 

Here are three different studies that found more evidence that chiropractic is safe.

Acute neck pain: effective and safe (systematic review + meta-analysis)
A 2025 systematic review in Systematic Reviews concluded that the available data support spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for reducing pain, improving cervical range of motion, and decreasing disability in patients with acute neck pain.Link

This echoes a systematic review from last year: “no statistically significant difference in AEs [Adverse Events] between manipulation and control groups. All reported AEs were mild (e.g. temporary pain aggravation, soreness); no moderate or serious AEs occurred… HVLA cervical manipulation does not increase the risk of mild or moderate AEs compared to controls.” (3) Pankrath et al. Pain Physician. 2024 Link

And a new systematic review confirms what several prior biomechanical studies have shown: “consistent evidence that cervical SMT induces less strain on the vertebral artery, particularly within the V3 segment, compared to passive cervical ROM.” (4) Fagundes C et al. Clinical Biomechanics. Dec 2025. Link

And… an extensive Medicare study of neck pain patients also confirmed: “Management with chiropractic care was associated with lower rates of adverse events than primary medical care. The prescription drug therapy group had the highest risk of any measured adverse outcome.” (5) Whedon et al. JMPT. Sept 2025

If you’re in pain and want a safe, effective treatment option without drugs, call or text us. We’d be happy to schedule an appointment and see whether you may benefit from chiropractic care.

Sikorsky Chiropractic Clinic provides high-quality chiropractic care in Elgin, IL. Visit our website to learn more and explore the conditions we treat.

chiropractic, disc herniations, Lower back pain

Chiropractic Care for Lumbar Disc Herniation Relief

Leave a comment

New Study Shows Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation Highly Effective for Lumbar Disc Herniation

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a leading cause of lower back pain, sciatica, and mobility issues. Patients often face difficult decisions—live with chronic pain, rely on medications with side effects, or consider invasive surgery. But a major new study published in Frontiers in Medicine (2024) highlights that non-pharmacological care—especially spinal manipulation—offers significant pain relief and improved function without surgery or drugs.

Study Overview

Researchers conducted a prospective, randomized clinical trial with 240 patients diagnosed with LDH. Participants were split into four treatment groups:

  • Acupuncture + Manipulation (combined therapy)
  • Manipulation alone
  • Acupuncture alone
  • Traction therapy

Treatments lasted three weeks, and patient outcomes were measured up to three months post-treatment using two validated tools:

  • Visual Analog Scale (VAS) – Measures pain intensity
  • Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) – Evaluates lumbar function

Key Findings

  • Patients receiving acupuncture + spinal manipulation had the greatest overall improvement, with pain scores reduced by 63–68% and lumbar function scores improving by 55–58%.
  • Manipulation alone (including chiropractic-style spinal adjustments) provided substantial benefits, reducing pain by 51–55% and improving function by 41–45%—comparable to acupuncture alone.
  • Traction therapy was significantly less effective than manipulation or acupuncture.
  • Importantly, no major adverse events were reported, confirming the safety of these approaches.

Why This Matters for Chiropractic Patients

This high-quality clinical trial confirms what chiropractors have known for years:

  • Spinal manipulation directly addresses misalignments and nerve compression caused by herniated discs.
  • Chiropractic adjustments reduce inflammation, relieve pressure on affected nerves, and restore natural spinal motion.
  • Non-drug, manual therapy approaches can offer lasting pain relief and functional improvement—without surgery.

While combining acupuncture with manipulation had the highest success rates, spinal manipulation alone was nearly as effective, making chiropractic care a cornerstone of conservative LDH treatment.

Your Next Step

Is to get an exam to rule out any serious medical conditions—such as significant muscle weakness, loss of sensation or changes in bowel or bladder function.

Once urgent issues that might require surgery are ruled out, chiropractic care could be the safe, effective solution you’re looking for to manage pain and restore function naturally. Chiropractic care offers a safe, research-supported pathway to:

  • ✅ Reduce pain intensity
  • ✅ Improve mobility and function
  • ✅ Avoid long-term reliance on drugs
  • ✅ Support natural healing

Schedule a consultation today to see how our chiropractic team can help you find relief and get back to living pain-free.

Comparative clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with manipulation and other non-pharmacological interventions in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation: a prospective, multi-arm, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint trialhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11738951/#S9

chiropractic, disc herniations, Lower back pain, Uncategorized

The Prevalence of Disc Herniation

Leave a comment

Why Imaging Doesn’t Always Tell the Whole Story

In their paper published in the American Journal of Neuroradiology, Brinjikji et al. provide insight into the commonality of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in asymptomatic individuals stratified by age. In their systematic literature review, the authors assessed 33 articles that reported imaging findings for 3110 asymptomatic individuals. [1]

Brinjiji reported that 29% of 20-year-old and 36% of 50-year-old asymptomatic patients have disc herniations on MRI. As we get older, the numbers increase. [1]

Nakashima et al. evaluated cervical spine MR images of 1211 healthy volunteers. They reported most subjects from ages 20-70 years of age presented with disc bulging (87.6%), which significantly increased with age in terms of frequency, severity, and number of levels. [2]

What does this all mean? Essentially, it highlights the importance of correlating a patient’s symptoms and clinical findings with imaging results like MRIs or X-rays. Doctors treat the patient, not the scan. While an MRI might show a disc herniation or bulge, that doesn’t automatically mean it’s the source of pain. The spine has many potential pain generators, including discs, facet joints, muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments. In some cases, your pain could be stemming from a different location entirely, even if the MRI shows an issue with a disc.

As always, if your symptoms are worsening or not improving, it’s important to follow up with your doctor. Red flags like loss of muscle strength, sensation, or function should never be ignored, as they require medical attention. In particular, loss of bowel or bladder control is a medical emergency and demands immediate care. Stay proactive about your health and seek help when necessary.

Suffering from back pain make an appointment with our clinic and see if chiropractic care can help you live a more pain free life.

Disc talk with Dr. Steve! (youtube.com)

  1. Brinjikji et al. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2005; 36:811–16.
  2. Nakashima et al. SPINE. 2015; 40(6):392-398.
chiropractic, exercise, Lower back pain

Walking: A Simple Solution for Lower Back Pain

Leave a comment

Walking: A Simple and Effective Way to Relieve Lower Back Pain

You might have heard that sitting is the new smoking. Well, walking is the antidote to sitting, and it’s great for your back.

Walking provides numerous health benefits beyond alleviating back pain, including improved cardiovascular health, enhanced bone density, maintaining a healthy weight, and better mental health. Plus, it’s free—a bonus for everyone.

healthy walk

Recent research from Australia has shown that people who walked three to five times weekly stayed pain-free almost twice as long. In the world’s first randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of walking to prevent low back pain recurrence, scientists followed 701 adults over three years who had recently experienced an episode of low back pain. The study revealed that individuals who walked 3-5 times a week for an average of 130 minutes remained pain-free for nearly twice as long compared to those who did not receive any treatment.

The benefits of walking for lower back pain are significant:

  • Pain Reduction: Regular walking can almost halve the risk of recurrence of back pain.
  • Cardiovascular Health: Walking improves heart health and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
  • Bone Density: Regular walking helps maintain and improve bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
  • Weight Management: Walking aids in maintaining a healthy weight, reducing the strain on your back.
  • Mental Health: Walking can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and boost overall mental health.

To start, begin with short walks and gradually increase the distance and intensity as your fitness improves. It doesn’t matter how far you walk initially—something is better than nothing. Aim to build up to 30 minutes of walking, five times a week.

In the past, bed rest was recommended for lower back pain, but it was found to exacerbate the condition. Movement is medicine. Patients with back pain often instinctively avoid activity, but studies have shown that walking and other forms of movement can improve outcomes significantly.

Exercise is a path to reducing pain in the long term. So, if you experience a flare-up, continue to stay active to the extent that you can. Walking, in particular, can be a gentle and effective way to keep your back healthy and pain-free.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an individualised, progressive walking and education intervention for the prevention of low back pain recurrence in Australia (WalkBack): a randomised controlled trial – The Lancet

chiropractic, Lower back pain

Could Your Back Pain Be Sciatica?

Leave a comment

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, running from the lower back through the buttocks and down each leg. Boardy speaking the sciatic nerve can be compressed or irritated.

  • Nerve Compression: If the sciatic nerve is compressed by a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis, the pressure can interfere with the nerve’s ability to transmit signals. This disruption can cause numbness in the areas served by the sciatic nerve, typically the lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet.
  • Nerve Irritation: Inflammation or irritation of the sciatic nerve can cause abnormal sensations. This can happen due to muscle spasms, injury, or conditions like diabetes that affect nerve health. Tingling often occurs because the nerve is sending mixed signals to the brain, interpreted as the prickly “pins and needles” sensation.

Recognize These 5 Key Signs

Dealing with persistent back pain can be frustrating, especially when you’re unsure of the cause. Sciatica is a common but often overlooked source of discomfort. Here are five signs that sciatica might be the reason behind your pain.

1. Pain Extending from Your Lower Back to Your Feet

Sciatica often presents as a sharp, burning pain that travels from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down the legs. If your pain follows this pathway, it could indicate sciatic nerve irritation.

2. Numbness or Tingling in Your Legs

In addition to pain, sciatica can cause sensations of numbness or tingling in your legs. This happens when the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your feet, is compressed or irritated.

What is Numbness and Tingling?

  • Numbness: This is a loss of sensation or feeling in a part of your body. When you experience numbness, it might feel like that area has “fallen asleep” or is disconnected from your usual sensory input.
  • Tingling: Often described as a “pins and needles” sensation, tingling can feel like tiny pricks or mild electric shocks moving through your skin. It’s a peculiar feeling that often accompanies numbness.

3. Weakness in Your Lower Extremities

Sudden weakness in your legs or feet can be a sign of sciatica. This weakness occurs when the nerve’s ability to send signals to your muscles is compromised, making it difficult to move or control the affected limb. A classic example of weakness is foot drop.

4. Pain That Worsens with Certain Movements

If sitting for long periods, bending, or even coughing and sneezing make your back pain worse, sciatica might be the culprit. These activities can put additional pressure on the sciatic nerve, intensifying your discomfort.

5. Difficulty Standing or Walking

Sciatica can make standing or walking challenging due to pain and other symptoms affecting your lower body. This can significantly impact your daily activities and quality of life.

Is It Time to Seek Help?

If these signs sound familiar, don’t hesitate to seek professional care. Early intervention can prevent worsening symptoms and help maintain your mobility and comfort. At Sikorsky Chiropractic, we’re dedicated to providing personalized care to help you manage and overcome sciatica pain. Book a visit today!

Uncategorized, chiropractic, Lower back pain, neck pain

What are the two functions of Muscles?

Leave a comment

While it’s evident that the primary role of muscles is movement, their significance extends far beyond that. Our muscles play a pivotal role in metabolism, the intricate process through which our bodies convert the food and beverages we consume into energy. During this process, calories are combined with oxygen to produce the energy essential for bodily functions.

Muscle holds a substantial role in glucose (sugar) metabolism, with a staggering 75-80% of our glucose storage capacity residing within skeletal muscle. This aspect is crucial as muscles require ample glucose to function optimally. Moreover, muscles serve as a primary site for insulin activity, facilitating the regulation of blood sugar levels. Additionally, muscles contribute significantly to lipid (fat) utilization, aiding in the management of fat stores in the body.

Maintaining healthy blood glucose levels is imperative as high levels can lead to detrimental effects on various bodily tissues, from the eyes to the extremities. Therefore, preserving muscle mass as we age is paramount for promoting a prolonged health span—the period of life characterized by overall good health. It’s worth noting that beyond the age of 65, most individuals face health issues related to immobility, such as falls, fractures, and subsequent hospitalizations.

Engaging in physical activity, particularly a combination of cardiovascular exercise and strength training, is essential for preserving muscle mass and overall health. I categorize exercise into two main buckets: cardiovascular activities and strength training/muscle-building exercises. Both are indispensable for maintaining optimal health.

The aging process inevitably leads to the loss of muscle mass and strength. Studies indicate a significant decline in muscle strength from individuals aged under 40 to those over 40, ranging from 16.6% to 40.9%. Hence, it’s imperative to incorporate regular workouts and weightlifting into our routines to preserve muscle mass as we age.

In summary, cardiovascular exercise and strength training are integral components of a comprehensive fitness regimen. Together, they offer a myriad of benefits that contribute to overall health and well-being, ensuring vitality and longevity as we journey through life.

  1. Cardiovascular Exercise:
    • Heart Health: Cardiovascular exercises such as running, swimming, cycling, and brisk walking strengthen the heart muscle, improve circulation, and increase the efficiency of the cardiovascular system. Regular cardio workouts can lower blood pressure, reduce LDL cholesterol levels, and decrease the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions.
    • Weight Management: Cardio exercises burn calories and help create a calorie deficit, making them effective for weight loss and weight management. Engaging in activities that elevate the heart rate and increase energy expenditure can aid in shedding excess body fat and maintaining a healthy weight.
    • Endurance and Stamina: Cardiovascular exercise improves endurance and stamina by enhancing the body’s ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients to working muscles and efficiently remove waste products like carbon dioxide. Increased endurance allows individuals to perform daily activities with less fatigue and participate in physical activities for longer durations without feeling tired.
    • Mood and Mental Health: Cardio workouts stimulate the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters that promote feelings of happiness, relaxation, and overall well-being. Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, improve cognitive function, and enhance sleep quality, leading to better mental health and emotional resilience
  1. Strength Training:
    • Muscle Strength and Function: Strength training exercises, such as weightlifting, resistance band workouts, and bodyweight exercises, target specific muscle groups to increase strength, power, and muscular endurance. Building muscle mass helps support joint stability, improve posture, and enhance overall functional capacity for performing daily tasks and activities.
    • Bone Health: Resistance training places stress on bones, which stimulates the production of new bone tissue and increases bone density. This is especially important for reducing the risk of osteoporosis and preventing fractures, particularly as individuals age.
    • Metabolic Health: Strength training boosts metabolism by increasing lean muscle mass, which helps burn more calories at rest and improves insulin sensitivity. This can aid in weight management, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, and support long-term metabolic health.
    • Injury Prevention: Strengthening muscles, tendons, and ligaments through resistance training can help prevent injuries by improving joint stability, mobility, and proprioception. Stronger muscles provide better support and protection for the joints, reducing the risk of strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries.

In summary, incorporating both cardiovascular exercise and strength training into your fitness routine offers numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular function, weight management, enhanced muscular strength and endurance, better mental health, and reduced risk of chronic diseases. Combining these two types of exercise allows for a comprehensive approach to fitness that promotes overall health, longevity, and quality of life.