What's actually behind low back pain
Low back pain rarely comes from one single event. It's usually the endpoint of a pattern — a disc, joint, or set of muscles taking on more load than they're prepared for, until something finally complains.
That pattern can come from a specific lift or misstep, but just as often it builds slowly: long hours sitting, a training block that ramped up too fast, or months of the same compensations going unaddressed. Rest alone rarely fixes it — pain eases, then returns the next time you sit too long, lift wrong, or get back to training, because the underlying mechanics never changed.
Signs you might be dealing with it
- Stiffness that's worse first thing in the morning or after sitting for a while
- A dull ache that flares into something sharper with certain movements
- Pain that's better one week and back the next, never fully gone
- Tightness that spreads into the hips or glutes
- Pain that's changed how — or whether — you lift, run, or train
Relieve, rehab, strengthen — applied to your low back
Assess
A hands-on exam and movement assessment to find what's actually driving the pain — the disc, joint, or movement pattern, not just where it hurts.
Relieve
Adjustments and soft tissue work to reduce pain and inflammation and restore the motion the joint has lost.
Rebuild
Rehab and progressive strength training so the tissue that failed once can hold up under real life — sitting, lifting, running, all of it.
What relief actually looks like
"Dr. Mae Li is absolutely wonderful. I've been going to her for the better part of two years to manage my back and neck pain and stiffness and she's been a valuable part of my physical therapy and maintenance routine."
Low back pain, answered
Click a question for the answer — or see the full FAQ for pricing, insurance, and what to expect.
Is it safe to get adjusted if my low back is already in pain?
Yes — the assessment on your first visit tells us exactly what's irritated and how it should be approached. Care is matched to what your back can handle that day, not a one-size-fits-all adjustment.
How many visits until I feel relief?
It varies with how long you've had it and what's driving it, but most people notice a change in the first few visits. Lasting relief usually takes longer, since it means rebuilding the movement pattern and strength behind the pain, not just calming the current flare-up.
Can I keep working out or running with low back pain?
Often yes, with some modification while we work through it. We'll tell you what to scale back and what's fine to keep doing — the goal is getting you back to full training, not sidelining you longer than necessary.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI before I come in?
Not usually. Most low back pain can be assessed hands-on. If something about your exam suggests imaging is needed, we'll refer you out for it.