Low Back Pain Treatment in Brooklyn
Most back pain isn’t coming from one bad disc or a joint that’s “out.” It usually comes from a back and hips that have lost some movement, strength or tolerance for what you ask of them, so the sore spot ends up taking the load. Pain can also show up in one place while the real problem sits somewhere else.
Your first visit starts with a thorough exam to find what’s actually driving your pain, so your plan fits you and doesn’t waste your time.
Common types of back pain
Degenerative disc disease
Lumbar disc herniation
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Piriformis syndrome
Spondylosis
Thoracolumbar strain/sprain
Who It’s For
This is for adults with low or mid-back pain that’s getting in the way of work, training or daily life. That includes pain that built up gradually and pain that flares with specific things like running, cycling, lifting or sitting at a desk. Constant or on and off, sharp or dull, the goal is the same: find what’s driving it and build a plan around that. If your neck is the main issue, see our neck pain page.
Treatment Approach
Every plan starts with a detailed history, an orthopedic and neurological exam, and an SFMA movement assessment. That tells us whether your pain is coming from a joint, muscle, disc or nerve, and what else in your body is contributing.
From there, treatment usually combines hands-on care with a progressive exercise plan. The hands-on part can include Active Release Techniques, joint mobilization, COX flexion-distraction, or an adjustment when it’s indicated and you want one. Hands-on work helps calm things down, and exercise builds the strength and capacity to keep your back from flaring up again. That combination matches the American College of Physicians guideline, which recommends non-drug care like exercise and spinal manipulation as a first choice for low back pain.
Expected Outcomes
Many patients notice less pain and easier movement early in care. The bigger goal is getting you back to what you want to do, whether that’s lifting, running, or getting through a workday without thinking about your back.
We also work on what makes back pain more likely to come back: strength, movement habits, and how you load your back day to day. No one can promise it never returns, but building capacity gives you the best shot, and you’ll know what to do if it flares.
Frequently Asked Questions
Research behind this page
Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, Forciea MA. Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(7):514-530. doi:10.7326/M16-2367
Brinjikji W, et al. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015;36(4):811-6. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A4173
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Jason Fidler, DC. Last reviewed October 2026.
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Most back pain isn’t dangerous, even when it hurts a lot. Get medical care right away if you have numbness in the groin or inner thighs, new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, or leg weakness that’s getting worse. See a physician promptly if your pain comes with fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer, or follows a significant fall or accident. If anything like that shows up during your exam, we’ll help you get to the right care.
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Often, yes. Most new episodes of low back pain improve over a few weeks. Care helps you move more comfortably sooner and figure out why it happened, which matters most if your back keeps flaring up or hasn’t settled after a few weeks.
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Usually not. Most back pain can be assessed and treated well without an X-ray or MRI. Scans also pick up a lot of normal age-related changes: one large review found disc bulges in 30% of pain-free 20-year-olds, rising to 84% by age 80. If your exam suggests imaging would change your care, we’ll tell you and help you get it.
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It depends on how long you’ve had it and what’s driving it. Some people feel much better within a few visits, while pain that’s been around for months usually needs a structured plan over several weeks. You’ll get a realistic estimate at your first visit.
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Keep moving within what you can tolerate. Bed rest usually doesn’t help and can slow things down. Walking and gentle movement tend to help, and we’ll show you what to modify and what’s safe to keep doing.
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No. Adjustments are always optional. If you’d rather skip them, we’ll use soft tissue work, mobilization, COX flexion-distraction and exercise instead.
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Usually, with some changes. We’ll adjust load, range and volume so you can keep training while your back settles, then build you back up to your full training.
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We’re an out-of-network provider. Many plans include out-of-network benefits, and you can email your insurance card to Jason@functionalrehabny.com so we can check your coverage before you book. We accept HSA and FSA cards. We don’t accept Medicare, Medicaid, no-fault or workers’ compensation.
Schedule Your Evaluation for Back Pain
Ready to find out what’s driving your back pain? Book a new patient evaluation in Gowanus and leave your first visit with a clear diagnosis, a plan, and something specific to start doing.