What are the most common causes of lower back pain?

The most common causes of lower back pain include muscle or ligament strains, herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, facet joint arthritis, spinal stenosis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and sciatica. Poor posture, prolonged sitting, and faulty movement patterns are major contributing factors in most cases.

What treatments are available for lower back pain at CityIR?

CityIR offers a comprehensive range of treatments for lower back pain including chiropractic adjustments, VAX-D spinal decompression (for disc herniations and degenerative disc disease), Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), Anatomy in Motion (AiM), shockwave therapy for soft tissue components, and individualized rehabilitation exercises.

How long does it take to recover from lower back pain?

Recovery depends on the underlying cause. Acute muscle strains often resolve in 2–6 weeks with appropriate care. Disc herniations and degenerative conditions may require 2–4 months of active treatment. Chronic lower back pain typically requires a longer, multi-modal approach to achieve lasting relief. Early intervention consistently produces better outcomes.

When should I see a specialist for lower back pain?

Seek care if your back pain lasts longer than 2–3 weeks, is severe or worsening, radiates down one or both legs, is accompanied by numbness or weakness in your legs, or follows a traumatic injury. You should also seek immediate care if you experience loss of bladder or bowel control, as this may indicate a serious spinal emergency.

Can VAX-D therapy help avoid back surgery?

VAX-D spinal decompression has helped many patients avoid back surgery for disc herniations and degenerative disc disease by creating negative intradiscal pressure that draws herniated material back toward the disc and promotes disc rehydration. It is most effective when combined with core stabilization training and movement rehabilitation. CityIR's Huntington location offers VAX-D therapy.

What causes lower back pain?

Lower back pain can result from muscle strains, disc herniations, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, poor posture, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. At City Integrative Rehabilitation in NYC and Long Island, our doctors perform comprehensive evaluations including dynamic testing, postural assessment, and gait analysis to identify the specific source of your pain.

How is lower back pain treated without surgery?

Non-surgical treatment at our NYC and Long Island clinics includes chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, shockwave therapy, DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization), and corrective exercise programs. We create personalized treatment plans that address the root cause rather than just masking symptoms.

How long does lower back pain treatment take?

Treatment duration depends on severity. Acute strains may improve in 2-4 weeks, while chronic conditions or disc herniations may require 6-12 weeks of consistent care. Our team monitors progress and adjusts plans to ensure the fastest possible recovery.

When should I see a doctor for lower back pain?

Seek professional care if your back pain persists beyond 2 weeks, radiates down your legs, causes numbness or tingling, or follows an injury. Our NYC and Long Island offices offer same-week appointments for urgent conditions.

LOWER BACK PAIN · CITYIR

Understand your back.
Find your way forward.

When back pain changes how you sit, move, or train, start with an evaluation that looks at the whole picture.

Hands-on care and movement-based rehabilitation, shaped around your symptoms and the life you want to get back to.

Book an evaluation

Anatomy illustration of the lumbar spine and lower back — Your lower back works with your hips, pelvis, and the rest of your movement system.

RECOGNIZE THE PATTERN

Different symptoms.
A personal starting point.

Pain may start with a single movement, build through the day, or return each time you increase activity.

Aching or sharp pain

Discomfort centered in the lower back, sometimes linked to lifting, bending, or a particular position.

Stiffness or spasms

Tightness, muscle guarding, or difficulty moving freely—especially after rest or prolonged sitting.

Pain into the leg

Pain that travels into the buttock or leg may involve nerve irritation, including sciatica.

Tingling or weakness

Changes in sensation or strength deserve assessment, particularly when they are new or worsening.

When back pain needs urgent attention

Go to an emergency department for new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or bottom, or severe or worsening weakness in both legs. Back pain after a serious accident also needs emergency assessment. Seek prompt medical advice for fever, unexplained weight loss, or rapidly worsening pain.

UNDERSTAND WHAT MAY CONTRIBUTE

The location of pain is
only part of the story.

Muscles, joints, discs, and nerves can all contribute. Your history and examination help make sense of the symptoms.

A new episode or a recurring problem?

Acute pain begins recently, often after a strain or change in activity. Persistent pain lasts longer; pain continuing for 12 weeks or more is often described as chronic. Duration alone does not tell us which structure is involved.

We consider your work, activity, previous injuries, sleep, and the movements that make symptoms better or worse.

Muscle and joint-related pain

Strains, sprains, facet-joint irritation, and myofascial pain can affect how comfortably you move. Assessment helps identify movement restrictions and the loads that aggravate symptoms.

Disc and nerve-related symptoms

Disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or nerve irritation may be associated with back pain, leg pain, or altered sensation. Examination findings guide whether further testing or referral is needed.

Sacroiliac joints, hips, and pelvis

The sacroiliac joints connect the spine and pelvis. Pain in this region can overlap with symptoms from the hips or lumbar spine, so we assess these areas together.

Other conditions and recovery after surgery

We also assess people with degenerative changes, scoliosis, core dysfunction, and ongoing symptoms after surgery. Rehabilitation is adapted to the diagnosis and any guidance from your surgical team.

YOUR EVALUATION

A clear picture before
a treatment plan.

We look at how your back functions within the way you move—not just where it hurts.

Listen

Your symptoms, health history, daily demands, and goals establish the starting point.

Assess

Movement, strength, sensation, posture, and gait help us identify contributing factors.

Explain

We discuss the findings, the next steps, and how we will measure your progress.

Imaging is not automatic. X-rays, MRI, or other testing may be recommended when the findings would help guide your care.

CARE BUILT AROUND THE FINDINGS

Relief, movement,
and a stronger foundation.

Your plan may combine hands-on treatment with progressive exercise and practical changes between visits.

Chiropractic & manual care ↗

Joint mobilization, adjustments when appropriate, and soft-tissue techniques to support comfortable movement.

Active rehabilitation ↗

Progressive exercise to build strength, mobility, coordination, and tolerance for everyday activity.

Movement & core control ↗

Stabilization and neuromuscular retraining, including DNS when appropriate for your examination findings.

Whole-body movement ↗

Assessment of how your feet, hips, and spine work together, with targeted movement strategies.

Additional treatment and specialist support

Selected cases may benefit from other options, including shockwave for an appropriate soft-tissue condition. If your symptoms or examination call for specialist care, we coordinate referral to a medical or surgical provider and support rehabilitation where appropriate.

Explore all treatment options ↗

BETWEEN VISITS

Make progress part
of your routine.

The plan should work outside the treatment room, too.

Keep moving with a plan.

We help you adjust activity during a flare-up and choose exercises that fit your current capacity. Your program may focus on hip mobility, core control, strength, and lifting mechanics.

Build around your day.

Desk setup, sitting breaks, training load, and sleep positioning can all be part of the conversation. Practical changes should be specific enough to use.

Review and progress.

Recovery varies by condition and individual response. We track function as well as pain, then adjust the plan as you regain capacity.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Your questions. Clear answers.

What is the most common cause of lower back pain?

Muscle strains are common, but back pain can involve several contributing factors and an exact structural cause is not always identifiable. An examination helps guide the most appropriate next step.

How long does recovery take?

Many recent episodes improve within a few weeks. Persistent symptoms or more complex conditions may take longer. We discuss expectations after your evaluation and adjust the plan based on progress.

Should I see a chiropractor or physical therapist?

The right approach depends on your symptoms and examination. Your plan may include manual care, therapeutic exercise, or a combination. Our team can help guide you to the appropriate provider.

Do I need an MRI?

Not necessarily. A history and physical examination are often the first steps. Imaging may be useful if there are concerning findings or if the result would change treatment.

Can I keep exercising?

Often, activity can continue with adjustments. Your clinician can help you choose movements and training loads suited to your symptoms. New or worsening weakness or neurological symptoms should be assessed promptly.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not the usual first step for uncomplicated back pain. Progressive neurological changes or certain structural conditions may need specialist assessment. We coordinate referral when appropriate.

Which location should I choose?

Our network includes CityIR in Manhattan and Great Neck, West Hills Chiropractic Pain Center in Huntington, and True Sport Care in Nesconset. Tell our team your symptoms and preferred location so we can guide you to the right provider.

Find your care

Care that fits
your routine.

Explore the practice closest to you and plan your evaluation.

Manhattan

City Integrative Rehabilitation

420 Madison Ave #803
New York, NY 10017

Explore Manhattan ↗

Great Neck

City Integrative Rehabilitation

560 Northern Blvd, Suite 106B
Great Neck, NY 11021

Explore Great Neck ↗

Huntington

West Hills Chiropractic Pain Center

400 W Jericho Tpke
Huntington, NY 11743

Visit West Hills ↗

Nesconset

True Sport Care

62 Lake Ave South, Suite C
Nesconset, NY 11767

Visit True Sport Care ↗

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Let’s understand
what’s holding you back.

Tell us what you’re feeling and what you want to get back to. We’ll help you find the right provider and location.