Back Pain Treatment Murrieta, CA
Dr. Phillip Vournazos, DC, has treated hundreds of patients with back pain in Murrieta, CA.
Back pain is one of the most common problems people experience. It may start after lifting, twisting, or sitting for long hours. Often, the pain continues or worsens if the real cause is not identified and corrected.
At California Oaks Chiropractic, we focus on finding why your back hurts, not just where. Our team performs a detailed exam to locate the problem and build a plan that helps your spine heal naturally.
Our approach is precise and gentle, aimed at restoring motion and balance without unnecessary strain. The first step is to schedule a consultation so we can understand your condition and outline the right treatment path. Call (951) 698-2511 to book an appointment.
What Are the Causes of Back Pain?
Back pain can develop from several causes, including:
Disc Bulges and Herniations: Disc bulges and herniations are conditions in which the outer edges of the discs, located between the vertebrae, are damaged. This causes the jelly-like center to bulge or be pushed out. This is a surprisingly common issue and is often, though not always, very painful. Many people who have this condition feel nothing at all. The quality and intensity of it, for those who experience pain, depends on the type and position of the herniation. If the damaged disc is irritating a surrounding nerve, shooting or stabbing pain along with weakness in the legs is often severe.
It is important that this issue is properly identified and promptly treated to avoid further damage. A chiropractor in Murrieta will thoroughly assess your back to determine the extent of the issue and the appropriate treatment to prevent worsening of the herniation, and provide improvement from the associated pain.
Subluxations: Subluxation is a medical term describing a misalignment in the vertebral column. There are a wide variety of causes, including physical stress, trauma, and toxins. Subluxations are often quite painful and can disrupt normal movement. Subluxations are one of the most commonly overlooked contributors to back pain. Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct this issue using non-invasive adjustment techniques.
Muscular Sprains and Tendon or Ligament Strains: Strains and sprains most often occur when we engage in tasks our bodies are not accustomed to, or when we are involved in an accident. Lifting while twisting or stretching past one’s limits is a common cause of back strains and sprains. These can be extremely painful and are often accompanied by swelling and bruising of the surrounding area. Strains and sprains in the back often involve changes in spinal alignment and typically respond well to chiropractic care.
Stress: Chronic stress wreaks havoc on the body and can eventually lead to hypertension and chronic back pain. The back pain results from tension and muscle spasms triggered by stress hormones. The tension will often accumulate in what are referred to as trigger points. These trigger points can be extremely painful and need professional attention to resolve. Chiropractors have the knowledge and tools to reduce stress from trigger points and to deal with underlying nervous system imbalances that may be keeping your body locked in patterns of stress and pain.
How Do We Diagnose the Root Cause of Back Pain
The real work is done in clinical history. Before examining a patient, we start by finding out when the pain began and what it actually feels like. We ask if the pain is sharp, stabbing, dull, aching, or if it occurs with movement or in specific positions. Dr. Phillip will evaluate if there is any numbness, tingling, or radiating pain in the lower extremities.
All the nerves from the lower back carry motor and sensory signals to the lower extremities. Neurological symptoms help pinpoint the exact nerve root involved. For instance, numbness in the right big toe points directly to the L5 nerve root. That tells us exactly where to look and whether imaging is needed.
The mechanism of injury matters too. For example, a patient who has difficulty bending forward likely has disc involvement. A patient who was deadlifting and felt a sharp, electrical pop in the lower back most likely has a disc protrusion now compressing a nerve. Clinical history and palpation together give us a fine picture of the root cause before any additional tools are used.
Back Pain Treatment Plan
Our treatment targets the cause first, then the body’s inflammatory response. For a disc protrusion, the first goal is to decompress the disc. The following treatments are also used together to achieve the best results:
- Chiropractic adjustment: Realigns the spine’s biomechanics, targets the affected area, and removes pressure on the disc. This allows the disc to reabsorb and return to its position, reducing compression on the nerve.
- Decompression therapy: Gently stretches the lower back to draw fluid back into the disc. This takes multiple treatments because the soft tissues need time to stretch and allow the fluid to re-enter the disc.
- Shockwave therapy: Applied after decompression. Stimulates the production and regrowth of damaged tissue, targeting the body to accelerate healing of structures like annular tears within the disc.
- Massage therapy: Used alongside chiropractic treatment to address muscle tension, support spinal stabilization, and help the body respond to adjustments and decompression.
A patient will not walk out of the office 100% better after the first visit. Even after disc compression is resolved, the nerve remains inflamed. We recommend icing as much as possible during the first 72 hours, when the inflammatory response is at its peak. If icing protocols are not followed, the nerve can become more aggravated within the first 24 hours.
Once inflammation is managed, the nerve starts to heal. Nerves are very delicate. It takes 24 to 48 months for a nerve to reinnervate, if ever, depending on the severity of the damage. That is why it is very important to address neurological compression early and follow post-treatment instructions, which include icing, stretching, and home rehab exercises, to prevent permanent damage to the nerve.
Back Pain Patient Case Studies
Severe lumbar disc protrusions resolved in two and a half months
Patient Information: Munitions expert and tester for the military. Carrying heavy equipment and dealing with recoil from weapons testing all day put constant strain and stress on his body.
Diagnosis: MRI showed a 9mm disc protrusion at L5. Two additional disc protrusions at L3-L4 and L4-L5, one at 7mm and one at 6mm. Anywhere from 6 to 7mm is considered a surgical referral.
Symptoms: Unable to stand up straight. Hunched over in excruciating pain. Could not sleep. Neurological symptoms, muscle weakness, and atrophy are present in both lower extremities. He also had physical therapy and acupuncture with no improvement.
Treatment: Two and a half months of a care plan of shockwave therapy, decompression, massage therapy, and chiropractic treatment. His posture was also corrected, and vertical alignment was restored.
Outcome : He walked out on the last day of his treatment with zero pain. Vertical posture restored. All neurological symptoms, muscle weakness, and atrophy in both lower extremities resolved. Full lower extremity function returned. He lost 20 pounds after being able to exercise again, and we started him on a maintenance plan.
New mother with postpartum low back instability returns to full function
Patient Information: 26-year-old woman. First child born a year prior.
Symptoms: A year after her first child was born, this patient had sharp, debilitating pain in her lower back. She was unable to sleep, and all movements caused increased pain.
Diagnosis: Evaluation found low back instability with spinal shifting, along with core weakness. These are biomechanical changes that affect a woman’s body following childbirth.
Treatment: Chiropractic treatment addressed spinal positioning. We also used massage therapy, muscle work, and core strengthening exercises targeting specific muscles to stabilize the spine. Each part of the treatment plan addressed the biomechanical changes caused by childbirth.
Outcome: By the end of the treatment plan, the spine was in the correct position, stable, and no longer causing damage. She was able to function fully and take care of her child.
Patient Testimonials & Reviews
Jasmine K Saleh
I was in need of a serious adjustment & Dr. K and his staff were absolutely wonderful to work with. They took me in the same day I called, within 10 min I was booked and, in the office...
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Denise
Just WOW! Everyone at California Oaks Chiropractic in Murrieta was just professional and very nice. I felt immediately comfortable. Dr. K was very easy to talk to and made me feel at ease...
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Abby Ngo
I had a great experience with Dr. K. This is top-notch chiropractic care! From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed, listened to, and well taken care of. Dr. K combines strong knowledge...
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Rick Scherer
My family and I have been seeing Dr. K for over 20 years, and I can't imagine going anywhere else. From the moment you walk in, you're treated like family. The office staff is incredibly friendly...
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Sandra Guzman
If you are looking for a chiropractor with a lot of knowledge, friendly staff who feels like family, and an overall welcoming environment, this is your place! Dr. K has been vital in helping my husband and I...
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Lorretta Marcum
This morning I was lucky enough to see a Daphne! Oh my heavens do I feel 1000 x better!! Then I saw Dr. Chris for an adjustment and boy does he know his stuff got rid of my sciatica pain instantly...
Read on GoogleBook an Appointment for Back Pain Treatment in Murrieta
At California Oaks Chiropractic, we find out exactly what the pain feels like, what positions make it worse, and where to start looking for the root cause.
If you are experiencing back pain, Dr. Phillip Vournazos can help identify the cause and create a personalized care plan.
Call (951) 698-2511 or book online using the booking tool below.
Back Pain Patient FAQs
What are the signs that your back pain will not resolve on its own?
If you have numbness, tingling, or radiating pain in the lower extremities, that is a sign of nerve compression that needs to be addressed. Pain that started from a specific injury, like a pop in the lower back, points to a disc protrusion sitting on a nerve.
How long does it take to see results?
A patient will not walk out 100% better after the first visit because inflammation is still on the nerve. Decompression takes more than one treatment. It takes time to stretch the soft tissues and allow fluid to re-enter the disc. Most treatment plans run two and a half months.
Does insurance cover back pain treatment?
Coverage varies by plan. Our staff can help verify benefits.
Do I need imaging or X-rays for back pain?
Not always. The history tells us a lot about where to start looking for the cause. If a patient has numbness in a specific area or a mechanism of injury pointing to a disc protrusion, that is when we take a closer look and shoot imaging if needed.
What is the difference between acute and chronic back pain?
Acute back pain is the initial cause of the injury, like a disc protrusion compressing a nerve. Once the compression is addressed, the focus shifts to managing the inflammatory response. If left untreated, nerve compression can cause permanent damage.
What are the long-term effects of ignoring back pain?
If nerve compression is not addressed, it can lead to irreversible loss of function. Nerves are very delicate and may take 24 to 48 months to reinnervate, depending on the severity of the damage. The longer the compression stays on a nerve, the greater the risk of permanent muscle weakness and atrophy in the lower extremities.
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