Is back pain deciding what you can and cannot do?
Bending to tie a shoe, sitting through a meeting, lifting a child or getting out of bed in the morning can all turn into something you plan around. Back pain is exhausting, and it is easy to feel stuck with it. That is why Apollo’s doctors start with the whole spine, from the top of the neck down, before deciding what your back needs.
What is back pain?
Back pain is discomfort anywhere along the spine, most often in the lower back, where the body carries much of its weight. It can be a dull ache, a sharp catch when you move, or a deep stiffness that builds as the day goes on, and it may last a few days or come and go for years.
Most back pain involves the muscles, joints and discs. Back pain together with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or inner thighs, leg weakness that is getting worse, or a fever needs emergency care right away.
Common signs include:
- A dull, aching or burning pain in the back
- Stiffness after sitting or first thing in the morning
- Sharp pain when bending, lifting or twisting
- Muscle spasms that catch you off guard
- Pain that spreads into the hips or buttocks
- Trouble standing up straight
- Tiredness from always working around the pain
- Strained muscles or ligaments from lifting or a sudden movement
- Sitting for long stretches with little support
- Irritated joints or discs in the lower spine
- Weak core muscles or a stiff, unbalanced pelvis
- Old injuries from falls, accidents or sports
- Stress and poor sleep, which can leave muscles tight and sore
What causes back pain?
Back pain can start in many places, and often more than one thing is going on at once:
The spine works as one connected chain, and upper cervical chiropractors look at whether a head that sits off center on the atlas (C1) leaves the neck, shoulders and lower back shifting to keep your eyes level. In their view that top link may be one piece of the puzzle, alongside the other causes above.
How upper cervical care can help
A back that hurts all the time is often a back that is working harder than it should. So we ask why. We look at how your head, shoulders and pelvis line up with one another, using a posture evaluation with software and 3D imaging of your neck, to see whether your body is compensating from the top down.
From there, Dr. Kosta Tsakalos or one of our doctors uses gentle, precise adjustments of the upper neck, with full-spine care when it is right for you. Our aim is to reduce the extra work your back has been doing, which may make everyday things like lifting, driving and getting out of bed feel easier over time.
A top-down look
Rather than chasing only the sore spot, we check how the head, neck and pelvis relate, because pain is not always felt where a problem begins.
Hips and shoulders in view
Posture software shows whether one shoulder or hip sits higher and how your weight is shared, so your plan starts from clear measurements.
Clear about warning signs
If your exam points to something that a medical doctor should look at, we will tell you plainly and help you get there.
Built around your day
We ask what sets your back off, whether that is a desk, a commute, lifting at work or caring for kids, and set goals around what you want to get back to.
What to expect
Day 1
Your first visit
A consultation with the doctor at the office you choose, a thorough exam, and 3D imaging of your cervical spine with our CBCT scanner. We also do a detailed posture evaluation with advanced software, neurological testing and muscle assessments.
Day 2
Your report of findings
The doctor goes over your history, your exam and posture results, your neurological findings and your 3D images with you, and explains a care plan made for you.
Ongoing
Gentle care, checked as you go
Gentle upper cervical adjustments with no twisting, cracking or popping, and regular progress checks so your plan follows how you are doing.
Why choose Apollo?
Specialized care
We focus on upper cervical chiropractic, a highly targeted and refined approach.
A plan made for you
Every patient is different. Your care plan is built around your own exam and your 3D imaging.
Gentle, with no cracking
Our methods are very gentle: no twisting, cracking or popping.
An experienced doctor
Dr. Kosta Tsakalos brings deep clinical experience and a caring, detail-oriented approach to every visit.
Every person is different, and results vary. Read what our patients say on our testimonials page.
Let us help you get started
If you are dealing with back pain, we are here to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kosta Tsakalos and find out whether upper cervical chiropractic care is right for you.
Related conditions we help with
- Neck Pain
- Sciatica
- Herniated Discs
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Scoliosis
- Postural Issues
- See every condition
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice. If your symptoms are sudden or severe, please seek medical care right away.