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Evidence-based chiropractic care to relieve low back pain and restore your quality of life.
Low back pain is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care, affecting roughly 80 percent of people at some point in their lives. Whether it develops gradually from years of poor posture or strikes suddenly after lifting something heavy, low back pain can range from a dull, persistent ache to sharp, debilitating discomfort that limits your ability to work, exercise, and enjoy everyday activities.
At Advanced Wellness Chiropractic in Bridgeton, MO, we specialize in identifying the root cause of your low back pain rather than simply masking the symptoms. Our comprehensive approach combines spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitative exercises to help you find lasting relief.
The lumbar spine supports much of the upper body's weight and facilitates a wide range of motion. This combination of load-bearing and flexibility makes it particularly susceptible to injury and degeneration. Understanding the source of your pain is the first step toward effective treatment.
The vast majority of low back pain responds well to conservative chiropractic care, but certain warning signs mean you should contact your primary care provider or an emergency department right away rather than waiting for a chiropractic evaluation:
Low back pain presents differently for each patient. Recognizing your specific symptoms helps us develop the most effective treatment plan for your situation.
These are simple screening checks Dr. JC uses in the office to help localize the source of low back pain. None of them replace a proper exam, but the pattern of what aggravates and what does not is genuinely useful. Stop any test that causes sharp pain or sudden weakness, and skip the tests entirely if you have any of the red-flag symptoms above.
How to do it
Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly bend forward at the hips and reach toward your toes, letting your arms hang. Go only as far as is comfortable and notice what you feel on the way down.
What to watch for
Note where the pain is worst. Pain that stays in the low back or centralizes toward the midline is usually a better sign than pain that radiates out to the buttock or leg.
What a positive test suggests
Radiating pain with forward bending often points to disc involvement, while local lumbar pain is more typical of a joint or muscular source. Either way, the pattern helps guide treatment.
How to do it
Lie on your back at the edge of a bed, with your hips at the edge and both feet hanging off. Pull one knee toward your chest and hold it, while letting the other leg relax down toward the floor.
What to watch for
Check whether the relaxed leg hangs straight down or if the thigh lifts up toward the ceiling. Compare both sides. A thigh that will not lower suggests tight hip flexors.
What a positive test suggests
Hip flexor tightness pulling on the lumbar spine is a common contributor to low back pain, especially in desk workers and drivers. It is a frequent finding we retest after treatment.
How to do it
Stand near a wall or counter for safety. Lift one foot off the floor and balance on the opposite leg for 30 seconds, then close your eyes if you can do so safely. Repeat on the other side.
What to watch for
Compare sides. A wobbly hip, sagging pelvis, or the inability to hold balance for 30 seconds points toward weak glutes and core muscles on that side.
What a positive test suggests
Core and glute weakness is one of the most common drivers of recurrent low back pain. Restoring balance and hip control is central to long-term recovery.
If any of these tests reproduces your symptoms, the next step is a full evaluation. Dr. JC will examine the lumbar spine, hips, and surrounding muscles to determine exactly what is driving your pain and build a treatment plan around it.
Chiropractic care addresses low back pain by targeting the underlying structural and biomechanical issues that cause your discomfort. Rather than relying on medication to mask pain, chiropractic adjustments work to restore proper spinal alignment, reduce nerve irritation, and promote the body's natural healing processes.
Research published in major medical journals has consistently shown that spinal manipulation is among the most effective treatments for acute and chronic low back pain. It offers a safe, drug-free alternative that addresses the cause of pain rather than just the symptoms.
By improving joint mobility and reducing muscle tension throughout the lumbar region, chiropractic treatment helps restore your ability to move freely and comfortably. Many patients notice improvement after their very first adjustment.
A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA by Paige et al., analyzing 26 eligible randomized clinical trials with 15 providing primary pain outcome data, found that spinal manipulative therapy was associated with statistically significant improvements in both pain and function for acute low back pain at up to six weeks. The American College of Physicians cited this and similar evidence in their 2017 clinical practice guideline recommending spinal manipulation as a first-line treatment for acute and chronic low back pain before considering medication.
A Cochrane review of 26 RCTs involving 6,070 participants found high-quality evidence that spinal manipulative therapy produces a small but significant short-term effect on pain relief and functional status for chronic low back pain compared to other interventions. Additionally, a dose-response trial published in The Spine Journal (Haas et al., 2014) involving 400 participants with chronic low back pain found that 12 sessions of spinal manipulation over six weeks yielded the most favorable outcomes, with approximately half of patients achieving 50 percent improvement. A 2019 BMJ systematic review by Rubinstein et al. analyzing 47 RCTs with 9,211 participants found that spinal manipulative therapy produces similar effects to other recommended therapies for pain, with modest improvements in function for chronic low back pain.
Advanced Wellness Chiropractic in Bridgeton, MO incorporates evidence-based protocols informed by current research to deliver the most effective treatment for each patient.
Every patient receives a personalized treatment plan based on a thorough examination and diagnosis. Our approach to treating low back pain may include:
Targeted manual adjustments to restore proper alignment and joint mobility in the lumbar spine.
Techniques to release muscle tension, reduce spasms, and improve blood flow to the affected area.
Customized stretching and strengthening programs to support your spine and prevent future episodes.
Practical recommendations for your workspace, sleep position, and daily habits to protect your back.
These are the exercises Dr. JC most often sends home with low back pain patients. They take under ten minutes total and work best done daily. Stop any exercise that increases radiating leg pain or sharp low back pain, and check in at your next visit if something consistently flares you up.
Small motion that wakes up the deep core muscles and eases early-morning lumbar stiffness.
Dosage: 10 reps, 2 sets, twice daily.
A classic extension-based movement that often centralizes disc-related pain back toward the low back and out of the leg.
Dosage: 10 reps, 2 sets, twice daily.
Teaches the deep core to stabilize the spine while the arms and legs move. The core strength that protects the low back in daily life comes from here.
Dosage: 10 reps per side of each exercise, 2 sets, daily.
Wakes up the glutes that support the low back and restores segmental mobility through the lumbar spine.
Dosage: 10 glute bridges and 10 cat-cow rounds, 2 sets, daily.
Home exercises are powerful, but they are one piece of a larger plan. Most patients with low back pain also have joint restrictions in the lumbar spine or hips and soft tissue adhesions that home movement alone will not resolve. If your symptoms are not clearly improving after two to three weeks of consistent home exercise, come in for an evaluation so we can find and treat what is keeping you stuck.
Certain jobs and life stages drive the majority of low back pain cases we treat at Advanced Wellness Chiropractic. If you recognize yourself in one of these, you are not alone, and conservative chiropractic care is often all you need to get moving again.
The Amazon, Walmart, and Schnucks hubs around North County run on repeated lift, twist, and lower cycles. The lumbar spine takes the brunt of this work over months and years.
Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and roofers who lift heavy, work in awkward positions, and crouch all day. The lift-and-twist combination is the single most common mechanism we see for acute low back flare-ups.
Hours of vibration through the seat combined with periodic heavy lifting at the dock. Truckers and route drivers are a classic low back demographic in our clinic.
Patients from Centene, World Wide Technology, Edward Jones, and Express Scripts plus BJC, Mercy, and SSM medical coders. Prolonged sitting is one of the highest-pressure positions for the lumbar disc.
Nurses, CNAs, and techs at BJC, Mercy, and SSM who spend twelve-hour shifts on their feet and routinely transfer patients. Chronic low back pain is almost an occupational baseline in this group.
Long hours on hard floors, often with poor footwear and repeated bending, twisting, and reaching. Static standing drives a lot of the recurring low back pain we see.
The combination of ligament laxity, a shifting center of gravity, hours of carrying an infant, and altered core mechanics sets up the majority of new moms for low back pain at some point.
Patients who sit all week and then garden, golf, run, or lift hard on Saturday. The mismatch between weekday inactivity and weekend load is a predictable setup for a low back flare-up.
Patients who fly frequently for work or sit through long daily commutes on I-270, I-70, or Lindbergh. The combination of cramped sitting and dehydration is tough on the lumbar discs.
If your low back pain is work-related, Dr. JC can help document the injury and coordinate with your employer or workers' compensation carrier. We see patients from Bridgeton, Maryland Heights, Hazelwood, Florissant, St. Ann, Creve Coeur, and across North County St. Louis.
Low back pain can result from many factors including muscle strains, herniated or bulging discs, spinal misalignment, degenerative disc disease, poor posture, sedentary lifestyle, and lifting injuries. Stress and lack of core strength can also contribute. A thorough examination helps identify the specific cause of your pain so treatment can be properly targeted.
Chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment and mobility to the spine, reducing pressure on nerves and surrounding tissues. This helps decrease inflammation, relieve muscle tension, and improve range of motion. Many patients experience significant relief after just a few visits, and research consistently supports chiropractic care as an effective treatment for low back pain.
Treatment duration varies depending on the severity and underlying cause of your pain. Acute low back pain often responds well within two to four weeks of care. Chronic conditions may require a longer treatment plan spanning several weeks to a few months. Your chiropractor will create a personalized care plan and adjust it based on your progress.
Yes. Maintaining a strong core through regular exercise, practicing proper lifting mechanics, using ergonomic seating, staying active, and managing your weight all help prevent recurrence. Your chiropractor can recommend specific stretches and strengthening exercises tailored to your needs, along with periodic maintenance adjustments to keep your spine healthy.
You should seek care if your back pain persists for more than a few days, interferes with daily activities, radiates down your legs, or is accompanied by numbness or tingling. Early intervention typically leads to better outcomes. Even mild but recurring discomfort is worth evaluating to prevent a more serious problem from developing.
It can be. Herniated or bulging discs are a common cause of low back pain, especially when the pain radiates into the buttocks or legs. However, many cases of low back pain are caused by muscle strain, joint dysfunction, or spinal misalignment rather than disc issues. Dr. JC performs a thorough evaluation at our Bridgeton, MO office to determine the exact source of your pain and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
We use a combination of chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapies like Pin and Stretch and Graston Technique, therapeutic exercises, and lifestyle modifications. For chronic or stubborn cases, shockwave therapy may also be recommended. Each treatment plan is customized based on the underlying cause of your low back pain and your individual response to care.
Yes. Prolonged sitting is one of the leading contributors to low back pain, especially for office workers in the St. Louis area. Sitting places more pressure on the lumbar discs than standing, and poor ergonomic setups accelerate the problem. Chiropractic care corrects the spinal misalignments caused by prolonged sitting, and Dr. JC can advise you on ergonomic adjustments and stretches to reduce strain during your workday.
For acute low back pain in the first 48 to 72 hours, ice is generally recommended to reduce inflammation. After the initial inflammatory phase, heat can help relax tight muscles and increase blood flow to promote healing. Your chiropractor can provide specific guidance based on your condition and recommend the best approach alongside your chiropractic treatment plan.
“Lower back pain was non existent”
I have been to other chiropractors and still had lower back pain. After my 2nd appointment with Dr. Bordeaux, not only was he easy to talk to but my lower back pain was non existent.
“Best chiropractor in the greater St. Louis area”
None of them were able to help me as much as Dr. Bordeaux has. He is professional, knowledgeable, and most importantly, he takes the time to understand and treat your specific issue.
Spinal adjustments restore proper alignment and relieve pressure causing low back pain.
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Learn MoreTherapeutic massage relieves muscle tension and spasms that contribute to low back discomfort.
Learn MoreLearn the key signs that your back pain warrants professional chiropractic evaluation.
Learn MoreHow your home office setup may be causing back pain and what you can do about it.
Learn MoreAdvanced Wellness Chiropractic
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