Back Pain Care in Jacksonville
Tired of dealing with a dull ache that’s been part of your daily routine for so long you’ve stopped mentioning it? Or maybe you notice a sharp catch that stops you mid-motion. Low back pain can become background noise, right up until it isn’t.
How Years of Small Strain Add Up
Back pain doesn’t always start with one dramatic event. Repeated stress on the spinal joints and discs can gradually change how the area moves. Left unaddressed, the same region may keep absorbing load poorly, allowing occasional discomfort to become a more persistent problem.
Why Sitting and Physical Work Can Both Take a Toll
Back pain can develop whether you’re on your feet all day or sitting for eight hours at a stretch. Dr. Scheets sees physically active workers, including nurses, as well as what he jokingly calls “professional sitters” whose jobs involve very little movement.
Common contributing factors include:
- Long stretches of sitting with little movement
- Physically demanding or repetitive work
- Poor ergonomics and sustained postures
- Old injuries that changed spinal movement
- Previous spinal surgery that shifted load to nearby levels
For patients who sit for long periods, we recommend getting up and moving about once an hour when possible.
When a Dull Ache Signals Something More
Back pain may feel like a constant ache, a sharp catch with certain movements, or stiffness that’s worse in the morning. If you’ve relied on over-the-counter medication and posture changes for months without meaningful improvement, it’s worth finding out what may be driving the problem.
Imaging doesn’t always provide the complete answer. Soft tissue injuries rarely appear on an X-ray, which is why a thorough evaluation matters when pain continues despite reassuring imaging.
Decompression Built Around What You Can Tolerate
Duval Spine & Rehab uses flexion-distraction to gently decompress the lumbar spine without relying on high-force manipulation.
When someone has been told they need a lumbar fusion, our chiropractor recommends considering a second or even third opinion before assuming surgery is the only option. When appropriate, flexion-distraction may help reduce pressure and restore motion. Care begins gently according to what the patient can tolerate, and some patients have been able to delay or avoid surgery after responding well.
Building Trust After a Bad Adjustment Experience
For patients who’ve had a rough adjustment before, technique is only part of the equation. Dr. Scheets believes knowing when to adjust is just as important as knowing how.
If you’re tense or bracing, he won’t force an adjustment. Care may begin with Activator Methods®, drop-table techniques, or another lower-force approach. Your preferences are respected, including if there are areas you don’t want manually adjusted. As comfort and trust build, the approach can change with you.
Back Pain After Surgery
When Younger Backs Hurt Too
Back pain in children and teenagers shouldn’t automatically be dismissed as growing pains. Heavy backpacks, carrying a bag over one shoulder, posture, sports injuries, and everyday habits can contribute to muscular imbalance and changes in spinal biomechanics.
When a young person repeatedly complains of pain without an obvious explanation, a proper evaluation can help determine what may be contributing.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve been told I need a lumbar fusion. Is that really my only choice?
I had a bad experience with a rough adjustment before. Do I have other options?
Find Out What’s Behind Your Back Pain
You don’t have to keep arranging your workday, activities, and downtime around an aching back. Contact Duval Spine & Rehab to schedule a back pain evaluation. We are even open on weekends.
