Causes, Treatment, and Long-Term Relief

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care and one of the most misunderstood. Whether it starts as a dull ache or a sudden sharp pain, lower back pain can limit your mobility, affect your mood, and interfere with your daily life.

At Functional Restoration Institute in Newport Beach, we help patients address lower back pain at its source. By combining Chiropractic Sports Medicine with Functional Medicine, we offer a personalized, whole-body approach that delivers lasting relief, not just temporary fixes.

Why Do So Many People Experience Back Pain?

The lower back (or lumbar spine) bears the weight of your upper body and absorbs stress during movement. Over time, poor movement habits, prolonged sitting, lack of core strength, or an old injury can start to take their toll. Here’s what often leads to lower back pain:

• Poor posture or ergonomics at work
• Repetitive bending or lifting without proper form
• Weak core and glute muscles
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica (nerve compression)
• Muscle strain or ligament sprain
• Chronic inflammation or nutritional deficiencies

What many people don’t realize is that back pain rarely comes from a single event, it’s usually the result of long-term wear and tear on the body.

A Functional Approach to Treating Lower Back Pain

At Functional Restoration Institute, we take a deeper look at what’s causing your pain. We don’t rely solely on symptom management or generalized adjustments. Instead, we:

• Assess your movement patterns, posture, and spinal alignment
• Evaluate muscle imbalances, mobility restrictions, and gait mechanics
• Use targeted chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapy
• Integrate corrective exercises to build stability and mobility
• Look at lifestyle factors such as inflammation, sleep quality, stress, and nutrition

This is the benefit of combining chiropractic care with functional medicine: we treat the body as an integrated system, not just a collection of symptoms.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care offers several tools:

• Spinal Adjustments: Restore joint motion and relieve pressure on surrounding tissues.
• Soft Tissue Work: Releases tension in tight muscles, fascia, and trigger points.
• Corrective Exercise: Helps rebuild strength and stability in the hips, core, and low back.
• Education: We teach you how to move better, avoid injury, and support your recovery at home.

Many of our patients report significant improvement after just a few sessions especially when they combine manual therapy with rehab and lifestyle adjustments.

What About Sciatica or Herniated Discs?

Some of the most common causes of lower back pain include sciatica (nerve pain radiating down the leg) and herniated discs (when spinal discs bulge or rupture). These conditions often develop slowly over time due to poor movement mechanics or spinal stress. Dr. Kohen has extensive experience in treating disc injuries and nerve compression without surgery. Through decompression techniques, targeted rehab, and movement retraining, we help relieve pain and support the healing of affected tissues.

When to Seek Help for Lower Back Pain

If your lower back pain is interfering with your sleep, ability to work, or quality of life, don’t wait. The sooner you get an accurate diagnosis and personalized care plan, the better your outcome. You should schedule a consultation if:

• Your pain lasts more than a week or two
• You experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs
• The pain worsens with movement or sitting
• You’ve tried rest, medication, or massage without relief
• You want a natural solution that targets the root cause

Take the First Step Toward Lasting Relief

If you’re tired of temporary fixes and ready to feel better for good, schedule a free consultation with Dr. Kohen at Functional Restoration Institute. Let’s identify the source of your pain, create a custom plan for healing, and help you get back to doing what you love without the limitations of lower back pain.  Schedule your complimentary consultation now: https://functionalrestorationinstitute.janeapp.com/