BACK PAIN
Back Pain Care in St. Louis Park, MN
Back pain is the most common reason people walk through our door, and it’s rarely one thing. We start with what changed, what’s contributing, and what your back needs to do next.
Minnesota Monthly Best Chiropractor 2020–2026 · Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP®) · Veteran and Woman-owned
OUR APPROACH
Something Changed. Let’s Find Out What.
Back pain can start with a shovel, a long drive, a hard training block, or nothing you can point to at all. What matters is what’s happening now and what’s keeping it going.
At Excelsior & Grand, we start with a careful history and exam, not a treatment menu. Then we tell you plainly what we found and why we’re recommending what we’re recommending.
Your back has a job to do. Let’s find out what it needs.
Dr. HeatherDC, MS, CCSP®
KINDS OF BACK PAIN WE SEE
Most Back Pain Is Mechanical, and It Comes in Patterns
Most low back pain comes from the joints, discs and muscles and the way they’re being loaded day to day. Here are the patterns we see most often.
Acute Strain
A lift, a twist, a bad night’s sleep, and suddenly you can’t straighten up. Usually settles well with the right early care.
Recurring Stiffness
The back that “goes out” every few months. There’s almost always a reason underneath, and finding it changes the pattern.
Disc-Related Pain
Pain that worsens with sitting or bending forward, sometimes with symptoms into the leg. We test the nerves carefully and refer for imaging when it’s warranted.
Desk & Commute Pain
The ache that builds through a workday and eases when you move. Small changes to setup and habits do a lot here.
Training-Related Pain
Back pain tied to lifting, running mileage, golf or hockey. We look at what your sport asks of you, not only where it hurts.
Pain That Travels
If it runs down the leg, start with our Sciatica page. If it started with a crash, see Auto Accident & Injury Care.
Pain down the leg? Sciatica care → Hurt in a car accident? Auto Accident & Injury Care →
HOW WE APPROACH IT
The Tool After the Finding, Not Before
We want to know more than where it hurts. What changed? What makes it better or worse? What do you need your back to do this week and this season? Your exam looks at how your spine and hips move, how your core and legs share the load, and whether anything points to a cause outside our scope.
From there, your plan is chosen from your findings and may combine:
- Chiropractic adjustments where joint motion is restricted, with gentler options when they’re a better fit.
- Active Release Techniques® (ART®) for the muscles and nerves doing too much. Learn about ART®
- Graston Technique®, instrument-assisted soft-tissue work. Learn about Graston
- Class 4 laser therapy to support healing in irritated tissue. Learn about laser therapy
- Specific exercises and a home program, so progress continues between visits.
- Imaging or a referral when your findings call for it.
WHEN TO SEE A PHYSICIAN FIRST
Most Back Pain Isn’t Dangerous. Some Patterns Need a Doctor First.
We screen for these at every first visit. If your findings point somewhere else, we’ll refer you and help you get there.
- New bowel or bladder changes, or numbness in the groin or inner thighs.
- Progressive weakness in a leg or foot.
- Fever, unexplained weight loss or pain that wakes you at night and doesn’t ease with position.
- Back pain after a significant fall or trauma, especially over age 50 or with osteoporosis.
If any of these apply, call your physician or seek urgent care first. We’ll be here afterward.
BACK PAIN FAQ
Back Pain Questions, Answered
Straight answers to the questions we hear most. Something else on your mind? Call (952) 920-9247.
How many visits will I need for back pain?
It depends on what we find. Many acute episodes settle in a handful of visits; recurring or long-standing pain usually takes a planned course of care followed by a check-in schedule. You’ll get a clear plan at your Review of Findings visit, and we re-evaluate as you go.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI first?
Usually not. Imaging is helpful when the exam suggests a specific reason for it. If we think you need it, we’ll refer you for it and explain why.
Should I rest or keep moving?
For most mechanical back pain, staying gently active is better than bed rest. We’ll tell you what to avoid for now and what to keep doing.
Can you help if I’ve had back pain for years?
Often, yes. Long-standing pain is still worth a careful look, and the goal shifts toward building capacity and keeping you doing the things you care about.
Is it my disc?
Sometimes. Disc-related pain tends to be worse with sitting and bending forward and may send symptoms into the leg. The exam, and occasionally imaging, sorts it out.
Do you take my insurance?
We verify benefits in the office before care starts, so you’ll know your costs up front. Auto accident and VA Community Care referrals are handled separately; see those pages.
RECOVER · PERFORM · KEEP GOING
Ready to Find Out What Your Back Needs?
Schedule a visit at Excelsior & Grand Chiropractic in St. Louis Park, MN, serving Minneapolis, Edina, Golden Valley and Hopkins. We’ll start with your history and a thorough assessment, then build a plan around what your back needs to do.
Questions first? Call (952) 920-9247.