Back Pain Chiropractor in Orem, Utah
Can a chiropractor help with back pain? Yes. Chiropractic adjustments restore spinal alignment, reduce nerve compression, and relieve muscle tension to treat the root cause of lower back, mid-back, and upper back pain without drugs or surgery. Dr. Drussel treats back pain at Integrative Motion in Orem, UT.
Understanding Back Pain
Back pain is the single most common reason people visit a doctor in the United States, and it is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Roughly 80% of adults experience significant back pain at some point in their lives. It can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp sensation that leaves you unable to move.
Back pain can originate from many structures in the spine and surrounding tissues. Vertebral misalignment (subluxation), herniated or bulging discs, facet joint dysfunction, muscle strains, ligament sprains, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction are among the most common causes Dr. Drussel sees at Integrative Motion in Orem, Utah.
The location of your pain provides clues about its source. Lower back pain (lumbar region) is the most common and often involves disc issues, facet joints, or sacroiliac dysfunction. Mid-back pain (thoracic region) is frequently related to poor posture and muscle tension. Upper back pain often connects to neck problems and shoulder mechanics.
How Chiropractic Care Treats Back Pain
Dr. Dustin Drussel takes a multi-faceted approach to back pain that goes beyond the adjustment table. Your treatment at Integrative Motion begins with a thorough examination that includes posture analysis, range-of-motion testing, orthopedic testing, functional movement screening, and palpation of the spine and surrounding muscles.
Based on these findings, Dr. Drussel develops a personalized treatment plan that may include:
- Chiropractic adjustments to correct vertebral misalignment and restore proper joint mechanics
- Soft tissue therapy to release tight muscles, break up adhesions, and address trigger points that refer pain to the back
- Acupuncture to reduce inflammation and pain in the affected area
- Corrective exercises to strengthen the core muscles that support your spine and correct movement patterns that contribute to back pain
- Kinesiology taping to provide support between visits and reduce muscle spasms
This integrative approach addresses back pain from every angle: structural, muscular, neurological, and functional. Dr. Drussel's Master of Science in Sports Rehabilitation gives him advanced training in movement analysis and rehabilitation that allows him to treat back pain more comprehensively than a standard adjustment alone.
Signs You Should See a Chiropractor for Back Pain
- Back pain that has lasted more than a few days and is not improving
- Pain that radiates down your leg (may indicate sciatica or disc involvement)
- Stiffness or limited range of motion in your back
- Pain that worsens with sitting, standing, or specific movements
- Back pain after a car accident, fall, or sports injury
- Recurring back pain that keeps coming back despite rest
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs or feet
- Morning stiffness that takes more than 30 minutes to loosen up
What to Expect During Treatment
Your first visit for back pain at Integrative Motion lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Dr. Drussel will ask detailed questions about when your pain started, what makes it better or worse, whether it radiates to other areas, and how it affects your daily life. He will then perform a hands-on examination and functional movement assessment.
In most cases, treatment begins during the first visit. You may notice some improvement immediately after your first adjustment, though lasting relief typically builds over a series of visits. For acute back pain, Dr. Drussel may recommend 2 to 3 visits per week initially, tapering as your symptoms improve. Chronic back pain may require a longer treatment plan with gradual progression.
Throughout your care, Dr. Drussel reassesses your progress and adjusts the treatment plan as needed. He will also prescribe home exercises and lifestyle modifications that support your recovery and help prevent future episodes of back pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many patients experience noticeable relief within the first 1 to 3 visits. Acute back pain often resolves within 2 to 4 weeks of consistent treatment. Chronic back pain that has been present for months or years may take 6 to 12 weeks for significant improvement. Dr. Drussel will give you an honest timeline estimate after your initial examination.
Both have strong evidence for treating back pain. At Integrative Motion, you get the best of both worlds. Dr. Drussel provides chiropractic adjustments to correct structural issues while also prescribing rehabilitation exercises typically associated with physical therapy. His Master's in Sports Rehabilitation bridges the gap between the two disciplines.
Yes. Chiropractic care is an effective, conservative treatment for many herniated disc cases. Dr. Drussel uses specific adjustment techniques and decompression methods that reduce pressure on the disc and surrounding nerves. Many patients avoid surgery through consistent chiropractic care combined with corrective exercises and soft tissue therapy.
Yes. Back pain is one of the most commonly covered conditions for chiropractic care. Most major insurance plans accepted at Integrative Motion cover chiropractic treatment for back pain, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, SelectHealth, DMBA, Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare. If your back pain resulted from a car accident, your PIP coverage applies with $0 out of pocket.
Not resolving as expected?
When structural treatment alone isn't producing the results you'd expect, there may be something systemic underneath. Chronic inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, or metabolic imbalances can prevent your body from healing properly. Dr. Drussel's functional medicine approach investigates these deeper root causes.
Stop Living with Back Pain
Schedule your appointment with Dr. Drussel at Integrative Motion in Orem, Utah. New patient consultations are complimentary.