Ask Dr. Dan: What Should This Flooring Installer Do for Persistent Back Pain?

Dr. Daniel Carlson of Spinal Rehab Clinic has been a chiropractor in the Sauk Rapids area for more than 35 years. An AM 1240 WJON Industry Ace for Chiropractic Care, Carlson first learned of this type of care when a doctor at Spinal Rehab Clinic treated him after a high school sports injury. He finds it very rewarding to see the impact his care can have on patients' lives.

He's taking a few questions from readers and listeners, and for this column, we're hearing from Nate:

I've been a flooring installer for more than 15 years. We've been over proper lifting techniques and everything, but I still managed to tweak my back about 6 months ago helping a buddy with a side job. It hasn't been the same since, and it's starting to get hard to make it through busy days. What would you recommend?

What Dr. Dan says: Many adults experience back pain from injuries from poor twisting and lifting techniques, anxiety and stress, poor ergonomics, and sciatica.

Spinal adjustments are the backbone of our practice, so to speak. That's when we realign the vertebrae to reduce pressure on the spinal cord — which also helps improve communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Over time, the body heals itself.

In our practice, we also suggest complementary therapies that support traditional chiropractic care. Depending on your situation, massage therapy might help you relieve stress and improve circulation in the area. Similarly, therapeutic stretches and exercises can prevent further muscle strain and pain by ensuring the muscles are properly warmed up before physical activity.

The first step is to schedule a free consultation so we can narrow down the cause of the pain and develop a plan to treat it naturally. Same-day appointments are available for both established and new patients. Just visit spinalrehabclinic.com or call (320) 252-2225.