Back Pain Treatment in Lynnwood, WA
Everyday movements like bending, standing, or getting out of a chair can place extra stress on the spine. Back discomfort may appear after lifting, twisting, long hours of sitting, or past injuries, but it often develops from deeper issues such as joint irritation, muscle strain, or alignment changes in the spine.
A proper evaluation is important when back pain becomes persistent, spreads into the hips or legs, or begins to interfere with normal activities. Understanding what is causing the pain makes it easier to choose safe, effective treatment options tailored to your needs.
At Alderwood Back and Neck Pain Clinic in Lynnwood, WA, Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC provides gentle, evidence-based chiropractic care to restore comfortable, natural movement. Treatments are conservative, hands-on or instrument-assisted, and to support better spine function.
Causes of Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can be linked to:
- Poor posture, especially from long hours sitting at a desk or on a screen
- Muscle strain or ligament sprain from lifting, bending, or sudden movements
- Joint dysfunction or spinal misalignment that changes how your spine moves
- Bulging or herniated discs that can irritate nearby nerves
- Age‑related changes like arthritis or disc degeneration
- Weak core and hip muscles that leave the lower back doing too much work
- Old sports injuries or car accidents that never fully healed
- Everyday stress and tightness that build up over time
Symptoms of Lower Back Pain
The symptoms of lower back pain can range from mild, irritating to severe. The general symptoms include:
- Dull, achy pain across the lower back
- Sharp or catching pain with bending, lifting, or twisting
- Stiffness when getting out of bed or standing up
- Pain that gets worse with prolonged sitting or driving
- Tight, knotty muscles in the low back or hips
- Pain or pressure into the buttocks or hips
- Numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles” down a leg
- Weakness or heaviness in one or both legs
- Trouble standing up straight or walking normally
- Needing to constantly change positions to get comfortable
Diagnosing Back Pain
When you visit Alderwood Back and Neck Pain Clinic , Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC starts with a detailed conversation, not a rushed exam. He asks when your pain started, whether it feels more acute or chronic, what makes it better or worse, and what your day looks like at work and at home. Your occupation, daily habits, and past injuries all matter.
Next comes a focused physical examination. This typically includes:
- Posture and alignment check
- Range of motion and functional movement testing
- Orthopedic tests to see which joints or discs are irritated
- Neurological tests for strength, reflexes, and sensation
- Palpation, where he gently feels each segment of the spine and surrounding muscles to find what feels normal versus restricted or tender
X‑rays are often taken to study the structure of your spine and rule out more serious issues. If your symptoms do not match what shows on X‑ray, or if you are not improving as expected, Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC may refer you for an MRI and coordinate care with pain management or orthopedic specialists when appropriate.
After reviewing everything, Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC explains what is most likely causing your pain and walks you through the next steps so you know exactly what is going on and why he recommends each part of your plan.
Chiropractic Treatments For Lower Back Pain
Spinal Manipulation
Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC primarily uses Diversified chiropractic adjustments, a widely used manual technique that helps realign and mobilize specific joints in the spine. Adjustments may be done by hand or with gentle instruments like an Activator or ArthroStim‑type handheld device, especially for patients who prefer a lighter touch.
In some cases, he may use drop‑table or flexion‑distraction techniques to gently traction and move the lower back, especially when discs or facet joints are involved. These adjustments are designed to restore motion, reduce joint irritation, and take pressure off the surrounding muscles and nerves without injections or surgery.
Manual Therapy for Mobilization
Along with adjustments, Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC often provides soft tissue therapy to address tight or overworked muscles. This can include massage‑style work, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy for stubborn knots in the lumbar and hip muscles.
Heat or cold therapy, cryotherapy, and Class IV laser therapy may also be used to calm inflammation and support tissue healing when appropriate. By combining joint and muscle care, the goal is to help your back move more freely and feel more stable, not just “crack” the spine and send you home.
Back Exercises
Therapeutic exercises and rehabilitation are a key part of long‑term improvement. As your pain calms down, Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC will teach you simple movements to:
- Gently stretch tight muscles
- Strengthen the core and hip stabilizers
- Improve posture and body mechanics at work and during daily tasks
You will also get practical advice on things like how to bend, lift, and sit in a way that puts less stress on your back. The idea is to help you stop recreating the same problem every day and give you tools you can use long after your visits are less frequent.
Therapeutic exercises and rehabilitation are a key part of long‑term improvement. As your pain calms down, Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC will teach you simple movements to:
- Gently stretch tight muscles
- Strengthen the core and hip stabilizers
- Improve posture and body mechanics at work and during daily tasks
You will also get practical advice on things like how to bend, lift, and sit in a way that puts less stress on your back. The idea is to help you stop recreating the same problem every day and give you tools you can use long after your visits are less frequent.
Typical Healing Timeframes
Everyone heals on their own timeline, but Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC often sees people start to notice changes within the first few weeks of consistent care. Some patients report less stiffness, easier movement, or a lower pain score as early as two to three weeks.
A typical moderate case might start with three visits per week for about two weeks. If things are improving, the schedule is usually reduced to twice a week, and more active rehab is added. After about a month, it is common to reassess and, when appropriate, repeat X‑rays or other tests to make sure you are headed in the right direction.
Deeper, long‑term correction usually takes more time, especially if your back has been an issue for months or years, or if discs and ligaments are involved. For whiplash‑type or discogenic injuries, Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC often plans two to three months of care and works closely with other providers when needed. He will always be honest about what to expect and will not promise instant or guaranteed results.
Chiropractic Tools Used in Treatment
At Alderwood Back and Neck Pain Clinic , Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC uses modern chiropractic equipment designed to make care both effective and comfortable. This may include:
- Standard and drop‑piece chiropractic tables for precise spinal adjustments
- Handheld adjusting instruments such as an Activator‑style device for very gentle corrections
- Flexion‑distraction tables to gently stretch and mobilize the lower back when indicated
- Tools for soft tissue work and trigger point therapy
- Heat and cold therapy units, including cryotherapy options
- Class IV therapeutic laser for selected cases, to support tissue healing and pain control
- X‑ray imaging to evaluate spinal alignment and structural changes
Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC always explains what he is using and why, checks your comfort as he goes, and adjusts techniques based on your age, health history, and preferences.
Long-Term Problems Due to Ignoring Lower Back Pain
Ignoring persistent back pain rarely makes it truly go away. More often, your body starts to “cheat” its way around the problem. You may lean more to one side, stiffen your hips, or load more stress into your knees and upper back. Over time, this can create new areas of pain on top of the original issue.
If lower back problems are left unaddressed, possible long‑term effects can include:
- More frequent and intense flare‑ups of pain
- Progressive stiffness and loss of flexibility
- Extra wear and tear on discs and joints, contributing to degeneration
- Ongoing nerve irritation that may lead to leg pain, numbness, or tingling (sciatica‑type symptoms)
- Decreased ability to work, sleep, exercise, or enjoy normal daily activities
Early chiropractic care and good self‑care habits can often keep a mild or moderate issue from becoming a constant, life‑limiting problem.
Case Studies
A patient in their 40s came in with a dull, achy lower back pain rated 6 out of 10. Bending forward and prolonged sitting at work made it much worse. On exam, Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC found mild forward‑leaning posture, tight lumbar muscles, reduced flexion and extension, and a positive Kemp’s test, suggesting irritation in the facet joints. Neurological tests were normal.
He diagnosed lumbar segmental dysfunction with sprain‑strain and myofascial pain related to poor posture. The plan was three visits per week for two weeks, focusing on Diversified and flexion‑distraction adjustments, soft tissue work, and heat therapy. Over the next month, visits were reduced to twice a week while core and hip exercises were added.
By the reassessment, the patient reported far less morning stiffness, could sit longer at work, and rated their pain at 1–2 out of 10. At home, they continued simple stretches, light core exercises, used ice during occasional flare‑ups, and adjusted their workstation to better support their back.
Why Choose Back Pain Treatment in Lynnwood, WA
For lower back pain in Lynnwood, WA, treatment at Alderwood Back and Neck Pain Clinic usually blends gentle spinal adjustments with soft tissue work, targeted exercises, and simple lifestyle coaching. Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC has experience with a wide range of patients, from people with desk jobs to athletes and martial artists, so he is comfortable adapting care for different activity levels.
Your plan may start with more passive care to calm pain and inflammation, then gradually shift into more active care as you improve. For example, a typical plan for moderate back pain might begin at three visits per week for a couple of weeks, then step down to two visits per week as your spine stabilizes and you start doing more exercises on your own.
The overall goal is not just short‑term relief but better movement patterns, stronger support muscles, and fewer flare‑ups over time.
Book An Appointment
Please use the booking tool below to book an appointment or by calling us on (425) 775-6767
FAQs - Back Pain Treatment
How soon can I expect relief?
It depends on how long you have had the problem, how severe it is, and how consistently you follow your care plan. Many patients notice some improvement in stiffness or pain within the first few visits, sometimes within two to three weeks, especially when they follow home care instructions closely.
Is chiropractic care safe for back pain?
Chiropractic care is generally very safe when provided by a trained, licensed chiropractor. Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC uses a conservative, non‑invasive approach and carefully reviews your health history, exam, and imaging before recommending treatment. Techniques can be modified using gentle instruments or drop‑table methods if you prefer a lighter style of adjusting.
Do I need X‑rays for my back pain?
X‑rays are often helpful to understand the structure and alignment of your spine and to rule out serious problems. Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC will recommend imaging when it is clinically appropriate, and in some cases may refer for an MRI if your pain does not improve as expected or if your symptoms suggest disc or nerve involvement.
Are there any home remedies to manage back pain?
Gentle walking, avoiding very long periods of sitting, using ice at first and then light heat, staying hydrated, and practicing good posture can all help reduce day‑to‑day discomfort. Simple stretches and basic core exercises prescribed by Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC can also support your recovery. These steps complement chiropractic care but do not replace a proper evaluation.
Can chiropractic help after a car accident or sports injury?
Yes, many people develop back pain after auto collisions or sports injuries. Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC has advanced training in whiplash injury biomechanics and traumatology from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego and has worked with injury patients since 2017. He evaluates your spine, muscles, and ligaments carefully and will co‑manage your case with pain management or orthopedic specialists if needed.
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