Back Pain Treatment in Tempe, AZ
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people come to Asa Wellness Center, and one of the most misunderstood. Most back pain isn't caused by one single event, it's usually the result of several smaller factors (posture, disc health, muscle imbalance, old injuries, inflammation) building up over time. Dr. Kayle Martinsen's approach is to figure out what's actually driving your specific pain, rather than treating every case of back pain the same way.
Understanding Your Back Pain
Back pain shows up differently depending on what's causing it, and treatment works best when it's matched to the actual source. Mechanical and muscular back pain is the most common type, often tied to posture, repetitive strain, or muscle imbalance, and usually responds well to adjustments and soft tissue work. Disc-related back pain is caused by a bulging or herniated disc pressing on nearby nerves, and often comes with pain that radiates into the hip or leg. Sciatica is nerve pain that radiates from the lower back down through the hip and leg, usually caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, frequently from a disc issue. Chronic back pain, lasting more than three months, often needs a broader evaluation of contributing factors like posture, inflammation, and past injury, rather than a single fix.
What the Research Says
We don't expect anyone to take our word for it. The American College of Physicians recommends spinal manipulation as a first-line, non-drug treatment for acute and chronic low back pain. A 2026 Cochrane review, one of the most rigorous forms of medical evidence, found spinal manipulative therapy performs about as well as exercise therapy and standard medical care for chronic low back pain, with no serious complications reported. The NCCIH (part of the NIH) reports spinal manipulation can provide mild-to-moderate relief from low back pain. A 2025 systematic review in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy examined spinal manipulative therapy across patient populations for spinal pain, and the PACBACK randomized trial, published in JAMA, compared spinal manipulation to guideline-based medical care for acute low back pain. The American Chiropractic Association compiles ongoing outcomes research, including a 2025 study finding patients who saw a chiropractor first for low back pain had significantly reduced odds of opioid use. On sciatica and disc-related pain specifically, a study in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies looked at spinal manipulation in patients with MRI-confirmed disc herniation, and ACA's research review found no valid epidemiological evidence linking chiropractic care to increased disc herniation risk. A note on the evidence, in plain terms: chiropractic care isn't a guaranteed fix, and the research is honest about that. Most studies show it performs about as well as other mainstream treatments, not dramatically better. What the research consistently supports is that it's a low-risk, reasonable first option worth trying, especially compared to medication or surgery as a starting point.
How We Treat Back Pain at Asa Wellness Center
Your first visit includes a full evaluation to identify what's actually contributing to your pain, not just where it hurts, but why. From there, Dr. Martinsen builds a plan that may include chiropractic adjustments targeted to the specific area of dysfunction, nonsurgical spinal decompression for disc-related pain, sciatica, or chronic pain that hasn't responded to other approaches, acupuncture as a complementary therapy for pain and muscle tension, and functional medicine evaluation when inflammation, hormonal factors, or lifestyle issues may be contributing.
Back Pain During Pregnancy
Pregnancy-related back pain is extremely common, and it's one of the more researched applications of chiropractic care within the field. The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, which focuses specifically on chiropractic care for pregnant women and children, has published outcomes research showing pregnant patients receiving chiropractic care reported improvements in pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and overall well-being using validated outcome measures.
When Back Pain Needs More Than Conservative Care
Most back pain responds well to conservative treatment, but certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention rather than a chiropractic visit: numbness or weakness in the legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever with back pain, unexplained weight loss, or pain following a significant trauma. If you're experiencing any of these, please seek emergency or urgent medical care first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my back pain needs a chiropractor or a doctor first?
If your pain is accompanied by any of the red-flag symptoms above, see a doctor or go to urgent care first. For general mechanical, postural, or chronic back pain without those symptoms, a chiropractic evaluation is a reasonable starting point.
Is spinal manipulation safe?
Major reviews, including the Cochrane review cited above, have found no serious complications associated with spinal manipulative therapy across thousands of study participants. Dr. Martinsen will review your health history before starting care.
How long until I feel better?
This varies widely depending on the cause and duration of your pain. Dr. Martinsen will give you a realistic timeline based on your evaluation, not a generic estimate.
Do you treat sciatica and herniated discs, or just general back pain?
Yes. Sciatica and disc-related pain are among the most common reasons patients come in, and treatment, including spinal decompression, is tailored to that specific presentation.
Ready to get to the root of your back pain? Schedule an appointment online or email asawellnesscenter@gmail.com. We're located at 2405 E. Southern Ave., Suite 3, Tempe, AZ, serving Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, and the greater Phoenix area.