Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek healthcare, yet many people spend months—or even years—treating the symptoms without ever discovering the underlying cause.

Pain is often the body’s warning signal, not the problem itself.

At ManyLevels Healing®, my approach begins with one question:

Why is your back hurting in the first place?

For more than 35 years, I have helped patients ranging from professional athletes to entertainment professionals and everyday families uncover the mechanical, neurological, and lifestyle factors contributing to their pain.

Rather than focusing solely on where it hurts, I evaluate how your entire body functions together.

Why Does Back Pain Occur?

Back pain rarely has a single cause.

It may result from:

Herniated or bulging discs
Sciatic nerve irritation
Muscle imbalance
Poor posture
Weak core stability
Hip dysfunction
Restricted joint motion
Sports injuries
Repetitive work activities
Prolonged sitting
Previous injuries
Compensation from another area of the body

Often, several of these factors occur simultaneously.

That is why a thorough examination is essential before beginning treatment.

My Approach to Back Pain

Every patient is different.

Depending on your condition, your examination may include:

Functional movement assessment
Chiropractic evaluation
Applied Kinesiology muscle testing
Joint motion analysis
Postural evaluation
Gait analysis
Muscle activation testing
Neurological assessment
Lifestyle and ergonomic review

The goal is to identify why your body is compensating, not simply where it hurts.

Common Causes of Back Pain

Herniated Discs

A herniated disc occurs when part of a spinal disc extends beyond its normal boundary and may irritate nearby nerves.

Symptoms may include:

Low back pain
Leg pain
Numbness
Tingling
Weakness

Not every herniated disc causes pain, and many people with disc bulges have no symptoms at all.

The clinical examination is often more important than imaging alone.

Related article:

Understanding Herniated Discs (future internal link)

Sciatica

Sciatica describes pain that travels along the sciatic nerve.

Common symptoms include:

Pain into the buttock
Pain down the leg
Burning sensations
Numbness
Tingling

Sciatica is a symptom—not a diagnosis.

The underlying cause may involve a disc, muscle dysfunction, joint restriction, or another source of nerve irritation.

Related article:

Sciatica: More Than Just a Pinched Nerve (future internal link)

The Psoas Muscle

The psoas is one of the body’s deepest stabilizing muscles.

Many people believe the psoas is simply “tight.”

In reality, it may be:

Weak
Neurologically inhibited
Overworking to compensate for instability
Responding to poor movement patterns

Simply stretching the psoas is not always the answer.

Improving movement quality and restoring proper muscle activation is often more effective.

Related article:

Is Your Psoas Tight… or Weak?

Posture

Modern technology has dramatically changed how we move.

Hours spent sitting can contribute to:

Forward head posture
Rounded shoulders
Increased lumbar stress
Reduced hip mobility
Muscle imbalance

Small improvements in posture throughout the day can reduce unnecessary strain on the spine.

Related article:

The 7 Steps to Better Walking Posture

Core Stability

Many people believe a strong core means having visible abdominal muscles.

True core stability involves coordinated function between:

Deep abdominal muscles
Diaphragm
Pelvic floor
Multifidus muscles
Psoas
Gluteal muscles

When these muscles work together efficiently, they help support the spine during daily activities.

Applied Kinesiology and Back Pain

Applied Kinesiology evaluates how muscles, joints, and the nervous system work together.

Rather than measuring strength alone, it helps identify muscles that may not be activating appropriately, allowing clinicians to investigate contributing biomechanical and neurological factors.

This approach may help uncover dysfunction that traditional orthopedic testing alone can sometimes miss.

Learn more:
👉 Applied Kinesiology

Laser Therapy

For some patients, low-level laser therapy may be incorporated into treatment to support tissue healing and reduce pain.

Depending on the condition, laser therapy may be combined with:

Chiropractic adjustments
Soft tissue treatment
Rehabilitation exercises
Movement retraining

When Should You Seek Evaluation?

You should consider an evaluation if you experience:

Back pain lasting more than two weeks
Pain radiating into the leg
Numbness or tingling
Pain after lifting
Sports injuries
Pain while sitting
Morning stiffness
Difficulty walking
Recurring episodes of back pain

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?

Many people improve with conservative care. The appropriate treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, neurological findings, and the specific diagnosis.

Does everyone with sciatica have a herniated disc?

No. Sciatica can result from several different causes, including muscle dysfunction, joint irritation, and other conditions affecting the sciatic nerve.

Is stretching enough for back pain?

Not always.

Some individuals benefit more from improving movement patterns, stability, muscle activation, and overall biomechanics than from stretching alone.

Does posture really matter?

Yes.

Posture influences how forces are distributed through the spine and surrounding muscles. Small changes maintained consistently can make a meaningful difference over time.

Schedule an Evaluation

If you have persistent back pain, identifying the underlying cause is often the first step toward lasting improvement.

Dr. Ken Best, D.C.
ManyLevels Healing®
By Appointment Only
Los Angeles, California

👉 Schedule an Appointment

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