Low Back Pain Treatment in Fremont, CA
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and affects eight out of ten people at some point in their lives. Whether yours came on suddenly after lifting something heavy, developed gradually from years of sitting at a desk, or flared up again after a previous injury, Joly Chiropractic in Fremont, CA can help. Dr. Joseph J. Joly uses the precise Gonstead Technique and Active Release Technique (ART) to identify the exact source of your low back pain and correct it at the root — not just mask the symptoms. Call (510) 249-9037 to schedule your evaluation today.
What Causes Low Back Pain?
The lumbar spine is the workhorse of the human body — bearing the majority of the body’s mechanical load while providing the flexibility needed for bending, twisting, and lifting. This combination of load and movement makes the lumbar spine highly susceptible to injury and degeneration. Low back pain can arise from any of the structures in this region: vertebrae, discs, ligaments, muscles, tendons, nerves, or the facet joints that connect vertebral segments to each other.
Common causes of low back pain that we treat at Joly Chiropractic include:
Vertebral Subluxations: Misaligned lumbar vertebrae compress the surrounding nerve roots and facet joints, producing localized back pain and often radiating symptoms into the hips, buttocks, and legs. Precise Gonstead lumbar adjustments restore proper alignment and eliminate nerve pressure.
Muscle Strains and Ligament Sprains: Sudden movements, improper lifting, or overexertion can strain the muscles and sprain the ligaments that support the lumbar spine. These injuries produce acute pain and muscle spasm, and heal with scar tissue if not properly treated — leading to chronic stiffness and vulnerability to re-injury.
Disc Problems: The intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine are common sites of injury — including bulging, herniation, and degeneration. Disc injuries frequently produce both local back pain and radiating leg symptoms (sciatica). See our dedicated disc problems page for more detail.
Sciatica: Lumbar nerve root compression — often from a disc herniation or vertebral subluxation — produces the burning, shooting pain that radiates from the low back through the buttock and down the leg known as sciatica. Learn more on our sciatica treatment page.
Facet Joint Syndrome: The facet joints that connect adjacent vertebrae can become inflamed and painful — particularly following injury or as a result of spinal degeneration. Chiropractic adjustments restore proper facet joint movement and reduce inflammation.
Postural and Occupational Low Back Pain: Prolonged sitting, poor ergonomics, and sedentary lifestyles are among the most common causes of chronic low back pain in working-age adults. Repetitive mechanical stress in poor postural positions gradually overloads the lumbar structures and leads to progressive dysfunction.
How We Treat Low Back Pain
Dr. Joly begins every low back pain case with a thorough Gonstead examination — evaluating motion and static palpation of the lumbar and sacral spine, instrumentation findings, and X-ray analysis when clinically indicated. This multi-step process identifies the precise spinal segments involved in your pain before any adjustment is made, ensuring that treatment is targeted and effective from the first visit.
Lumbar adjustments using the Gonstead Technique restore proper vertebral alignment, decompress irritated nerve roots, and restore normal facet joint movement — providing relief that medication and rest alone simply cannot replicate. For the soft tissue component of low back pain — the chronically tight muscles, fascial restrictions, and scar tissue that accumulate from injury and overuse — Dr. Joly uses Active Release Technique to restore normal tissue function and break the cycle of recurrent strain.
Many patients with chronic low back pain who have tried other treatments without lasting success find that the combination of Gonstead adjustments and ART at Joly Chiropractic produces results they hadn’t been able to achieve elsewhere. Call (510) 249-9037 or book your appointment online today. You can also view all conditions we treat or explore our full services page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Low Back Pain Treatment
Is chiropractic care effective for low back pain?
Yes — chiropractic care is one of the most well-supported non-surgical treatments for low back pain. Multiple clinical guidelines recognize spinal manipulation as a first-line treatment for acute and chronic low back pain. Dr. Joly’s use of the Gonstead Technique adds a level of diagnostic specificity that ensures adjustments are targeted to the exact vertebral segments causing your pain, rather than applied broadly.
How is the Gonstead Technique used for low back pain?
The Gonstead Technique uses a thorough multi-step examination — including motion palpation, static palpation, instrumentation, and X-ray analysis when indicated — to identify precisely which lumbar vertebrae are misaligned and contributing to nerve irritation. Only after this analysis does Dr. Joly perform a targeted adjustment to the specific segment that needs correction. This precision avoids unnecessary manipulation of healthy segments and produces more effective, lasting results.
Can chiropractic care help if I’ve had low back pain for years?
Yes. Chronic low back pain — even pain that has been present for months or years — often responds well to chiropractic care. Longstanding conditions typically involve accumulated scar tissue, joint stiffness, and established patterns of spinal dysfunction that require a more extended treatment plan. However, meaningful improvement is achievable, and many patients with chronic pain find that consistent chiropractic care produces results that have eluded them through other approaches.
Should I try chiropractic before considering back surgery?
In most cases, yes. The significant majority of low back pain conditions — including disc herniations, facet joint problems, and most cases of sciatica — can be effectively treated without surgery. Conservative chiropractic care is always worth pursuing before considering surgical intervention for non-emergency spinal conditions. Dr. Joly will give you an honest assessment of whether your condition is likely to respond to chiropractic care or whether a surgical consultation is warranted.
Can low back pain cause leg symptoms?
Yes. When lumbar nerve roots are compressed — by a herniated disc, misaligned vertebra, or inflamed facet joint — the pain, numbness, and tingling they produce can radiate down the leg in a pattern that follows the nerve’s path. This is called sciatica when it involves the sciatic nerve, and it’s one of the most common presentations of lumbar spine dysfunction. Visit our sciatica page for more specific information.
How many visits will I need for low back pain?
The number of visits depends on whether your pain is acute or chronic, the specific structures involved, and how your body responds to care. Many patients with acute low back pain experience significant relief within 4 to 6 visits. Chronic conditions with significant structural involvement typically require a longer care plan. Dr. Joly will provide a personalized recommendation after your initial examination.
How do I schedule a low back pain evaluation at Joly Chiropractic?
Call (510) 249-9037 or use our online appointment form to book your first visit. The consultation is free and the first exam and treatment visit is $65. Visit our new patient page to complete your intake form in advance and learn what to expect.
