Our team proudly provides evidence-based chiropractic care for patients experiencing back pain in Glen Waverley, Wheelers Hill, Vermont South, Mulgrave, Notting Hill, Mount Waverley, and Springvale.

What is Low Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common health complaints worldwide. In fact, the Global Burden of Disease Study identifies low back pain as the leading cause of disability globally, affecting up to 80% of people at some point in their lives (Vos et al., 2020).

While most cases are not linked to serious disease, low back pain can significantly impact work, lifestyle, sleep, and overall quality of life. Although many patients improve within 6–8 weeks, a proportion go on to develop chronic or recurrent low back pain, which can become harder to manage if not addressed early.

Causes of Low Back Pain

Low back pain can stem from a variety of factors, including:

  • Spinal and joint dysfunction: Poor movement or misalignment of spinal joints can irritate surrounding nerves, muscles, and ligaments, leading to pain and stiffness.
  • Muscular strain or weakness: Repetitive strain, poor posture, or sudden movements can overload the back muscles.
  • Disc irritation or degeneration: Age-related changes or injury may place pressure on spinal discs and nerves.
  • Referred pain: Sometimes pain originates from another source (e.g., hips, pelvis, or internal organs) but is felt in the back.
  • Inflammatory conditions: Arthritis (such as ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis) can affect the spine.
  • Bone weakness: Osteoporosis may cause spinal fractures and pain.
  • Less common but serious causes: Infection, cancer, or spinal cord compression (though rare) require urgent medical attention.

Treatment Options at WCCC

At Waverley Central Chiropractic Clinic, our approach to low back pain is patient-centred, evidence-based, and tailored to your unique needs.

Your chiropractor will begin with a detailed history, orthopaedic, neurological, and spinal examination. Imaging such as X-rays may be recommended if clinically necessary.

Treatment plans typically include a combination of:

  • Chiropractic adjustments – Gentle, specific techniques to restore spinal alignment and movement. Research supports spinal manipulation as an effective treatment for acute and chronic low back pain (Goertz et al., 2018; Paige et al., 2022).
  • Soft tissue therapy – To release muscle tension and support spinal mobility.
  • Exercise & rehabilitation – Core stability training, strengthening, and stretching to prevent recurrence.
  • Lifestyle & ergonomic advice – Education around posture, workplace setup, and movement habits.

Adjunct therapies – Massage, myotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine and tailored self-care strategies to support recovery.

Our goal is not just to relieve your pain but to restore healthy spinal function, reduce recurrence, and help you move confidently in your daily life.

References:

  • Goertz CM et al. Effect of spinal manipulation on pain-related disability in low back pain. JAMA Netw Open. 2018.
  • Paige NM et al. Association of spinal manipulative therapy with clinical benefit and harm for acute low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022.
  • Vos T et al. Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019. Lancet. 2020.