Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit us at Oakland Lifestyle Medicine — and for good reason. It can affect anyone, whether you sit at a desk all day, lift heavy objects, or simply go about your daily routine. What starts as a slight ache or bit of stiffness can slowly develop into something more limiting if left unaddressed. Over time, this strain puts extra stress on your muscles, joints, and nerves, sometimes leading to chronic pain or issues in other areas, such as the hips, knees, or shoulders.
The good news is that low back pain is very treatable when we focus on restoring the body’s natural movement and healing processes. Our chiropractors use gentle adjustments to realign the spine, ease nerve pressure, and bring balance back to your posture. Physical therapy builds on that foundation by strengthening weak muscles, improving flexibility, and helping you move in ways that reduce future strain and injury.
Massage therapy is another key part of care here at OLM. Tight or overworked muscles can pull your spine out of alignment, causing discomfort. Massage helps loosen those areas, improve circulation, and calm the nervous system — often leaving you feeling lighter and more relaxed. It also supports better sleep and faster recovery, which makes it a perfect complement to chiropractic and physical therapy.
For stubborn or long-standing pain, we offer advanced treatments like shockwave therapy and cold laser therapy. Shockwave therapy promotes healing by stimulating blood flow and breaking down scar tissue, while cold laser therapy reduces inflammation and speeds up tissue repairs, without pain or downtime. Combined with other forms of care, these treatments help address both the source of your pain and the symptoms that come with it.
At Oakland Lifestyle Medicine, our goal is to help you move comfortably again and get back to the things you enjoy. Low back pain that’s left untreated can become harder to manage over time — it can affect your sleep, your mood, and even your confidence in how you move. The sooner we start working together, the sooner you begin to feel stronger, more flexible, and more at ease in your body.
$49 New Patient Special
Includes Consultation, History, Exam & Diagnostic Imaging If Necessary.
Medicare & Medicaid Excluded.
How Our Care Plan Works
1. Get To The
Root Cause
Step one is uncovering what’s really driving your pain. Through detailed evaluations, advanced imaging, and hands-on assessments, we identify the root cause—not just the symptoms—so your care plan directly targets the source for lasting results.
2. All Hands
On Deck
Once we know the cause, our full team gets involved. Chiropractors, physical therapists, medical staff, and massage therapists collaborate to create a unified treatment plan, combining their expertise to address every angle of your condition for faster, stronger recovery.
3. Fix It &
Forget It
The final step is lasting results. We correct the problem, strengthen your body, and provide tools to prevent issues from returning. With restored function and long-term relief, you can get back to living life without constant pain or worry.
How We Treat Low Back Pain In Bloomfield Hills, MI
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
The proper treatment depends on the cause of your low back pain. That’s why it’s so important to have a thorough evaluation, including an exam, X-rays if needed, and a discussion of your lifestyle and habits. Once we understand the root cause, we can create a personalized treatment plan. At our office, we have a variety of services that work together to help you heal and prevent future pain.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Chiropractic adjustments gently realign the spine, relieving pressure on nerves, improving mobility, and restoring balance. This is especially effective for spinal misalignments, posture-related pain, and nerve irritation.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
We create a therapeutic exercise program tailored to your unique needs and limits. A customized program can aid in strengthening the muscles that support the spine, enhancing flexibility and range of motion, and alleviating pain and discomfort. Exercises work with adjustments to stabilize proper spinal structure and help the body hold adjustments longer.
Physical Therapy
Our physical therapists work with you to strengthen weak muscles, stretch tight areas, and retrain your body to move correctly. This not only helps you recover but also reduces the chance of reinjury.
Massage Therapy
Massage relieves muscle tension, improves circulation, and helps the body relax and unwind. For many patients, combining massage with chiropractic care provides faster and longer-lasting relief.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy uses sound waves to stimulate blood flow and healing in injured tissues. It’s beneficial for chronic pain and conditions that haven’t responded well to other treatments.
Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes light to reduce inflammation, accelerate healing, and alleviate pain. It’s excellent for muscle injuries, disc problems, and arthritis.
Digital X-Rays
We use X-rays to get a clear picture of what’s happening in your spine. This helps us rule out serious issues and create the most accurate treatment plan possible.
Foot Orthotics
If your low back pain is related to foot or gait problems, custom orthotics can make a huge difference. By correcting the way your feet hit the ground, we can reduce strain up the chain—knees, hips, and back.
Common Causes of Low Back Pain in Bloomfield Hills, MI
There are many reasons you might develop low back pain. Here are some of the most common:
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is when the discs in the spine begin to degenerate and break down. The discs have a soft, gel-like interior encircled by a fibrous outer covering. They provide cushion between the spine’s bones, allowing the spine to move and bend while providing support. When the discs are damaged or degrade, they can no longer provide appropriate cushioning and support, resulting in low back pain.
Muscle Strains and Sprains
One wrong move, like lifting, twisting, or reaching, can strain the muscles and ligaments in your back. These injuries can cause pain, swelling, and limited movement.
Poor Posture
Slouching at your desk, hunching over your phone, or standing with uneven weight distribution puts stress on your spine. Over time, this creates misalignments and muscle imbalances that lead to discomfort.
Herniated or Bulging Discs
Discs are the cushions between the bones of your spine. When they become damaged, they can bulge or herniate, pressing on nearby nerves and causing sharp or radiating pain.
Arthritis and Degenerative Changes
As we age, the joints in our spine can wear down. Arthritis and degenerative disc disease are common causes of chronic low back pain in older adults.
Spinal Misalignments (Subluxations)
When the vertebrae in your spine are out of proper alignment, it can irritate nerves, reduce mobility, and create pain. Chiropractors specialize in identifying and correcting these misalignments.
Foot and Gait Problems
Believe it or not, your feet play a significant role in your back health. If you have flat feet, high arches, or poor biomechanics, your body compensates in ways that can stress your back. Custom foot orthotics can correct these issues and relieve pressure on your spine.
Stress and Tension
Emotional stress often manifests in the body as muscle tension, particularly in the neck and back. Over time, this tightness can create pain and contribute to poor posture.
Check Out Our Location Near You
36800 Woodward Ave Suite 210, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens If You Don’t Address Low Back Pain?
Many people think low back pain will “just go away” on its own. While that may be true for minor strains, ignoring low back pain often allows the underlying problem to get worse. Here’s what can happen if you don’t take action:
- Chronic Pain: What starts as occasional discomfort can become constant pain that interferes with daily life.
- Decreased Mobility: Untreated low back pain often leads to stiffness and a reduced range of motion, making it more challenging to stay active.
- Compensation Injuries: When your back hurts, your body changes the way it moves. Over time, this compensation can cause pain in your hips, knees, and even shoulders.
- Nerve Damage: Conditions such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis can cause long-term nerve irritation, resulting in numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs.
- Reduced Quality of Life: Living with ongoing pain can significantly impact your mood, sleep, work, and relationships.
- Increased Risk of Serious Issues: In some cases, untreated low back pain may be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition that requires medical attention.
The bottom line is that the sooner you address low back pain, the easier it usually is to treat.
What is the first step towards low back pain relief?
Low back pain can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to live with it. At our office, we take a comprehensive approach to our work. Instead of merely masking the pain with medication, we focus on identifying and treating the underlying cause. By combining chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage, regenerative medicine, and advanced treatments such as shockwave and cold laser therapy, we create personalized plans that help patients return to living their lives—without constant pain.
If you’ve been struggling with low back pain, don’t wait until it gets worse. Schedule an appointment with our team today. We’ll listen to your story, run any necessary tests, and design a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Why is it important to address low back pain?
Your back is your body’s foundation. It supports you in almost everything you do—from working, to exercising to spending time with your family. When low back pain gets in the way, it doesn’t just affect your body; it affects your entire life.
The good news is you have options. With the proper care, many causes of low back pain can be treated and even prevented. Don’t let pain hold you back from the things you love. Let’s work together to restore your health, movement, and quality of life.
$49 New Patient Special
Includes Consultation, History, Exam & Diagnostic Imaging If Necessary.
Medicare & Medicaid Excluded.