Back Pain Treatment
in Oxford
Back pain is the most common reason people visit a Chiropractor — and the most common reason people put up with unnecessary suffering for too long. At Northwood Chiropractic, Dr. Steve Hulme uses the precise Gonstead System to identify exactly what is causing your back pain and correct it at its source.
Oxford Chiropractor
What Is Back Pain?
Back pain — whether in the lower or mid back — is by far the most common musculoskeletal complaint in the UK, and the leading cause of time off work. Yet despite how widespread it is, the cause is frequently misunderstood and the treatment inadequate.
Back pain is most commonly caused by a misalignment of one or more joints in the spine — creating pressure on the surrounding nerves, muscles, and ligaments. When a joint is out of its correct position, the muscles around it tighten to compensate, which is why back pain almost always involves both a joint problem and muscle tension simultaneously.
This is also why massage provides only short-term relief — the muscles are tight for a reason. Unless the underlying mechanical cause is identified and corrected, the problem returns. At Northwood Chiropractic Oxford, we use the Gonstead System to find that cause with precision.
Common Back Pain Symptoms
- Dull, aching pain in the lower or mid back
- Sharp or stabbing pain with certain movements
- Stiffness first thing in the morning
- Pain that radiates into the buttock or leg (may indicate sciatica)
- Muscle spasm or tightness alongside the spine
- Difficulty standing upright after sitting for long periods
- Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting, standing, or bending
- Discomfort that disrupts sleep or daily activities
What Are the Red Flags
of Back Pain?
Most back pain is mechanical — uncomfortable, but not dangerous. However, certain symptoms can indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires urgent medical attention. These are known as red flags. If you experience any of the following alongside back pain, seek medical advice promptly rather than waiting.
Back pain following a significant accident, fall, or injury — particularly in older adults
Pain that is constant, progressive, and does not ease with rest or any change of position
Unexplained weight loss occurring at the same time as back pain
Loss of bladder or bowel control alongside back or leg pain — requires emergency assessment
Back pain combined with a high temperature, which may indicate infection
New back pain in anyone with a previous history of cancer
What Causes Back Pain?
Back pain is rarely caused by one thing in isolation. Through our detailed Gonstead assessment, we routinely identify these underlying causes — often in combination with one another:
Spinal Misalignment
When one or more vertebrae move out of their correct position, they create uneven pressure on joints, discs, and nerves. This is the most common mechanical cause of back pain — and the primary focus of Gonstead Chiropractic care.
- Often develops gradually through poor posture or repetitive strain
- Causes surrounding muscles to tighten as compensation
- Can affect multiple levels of the spine simultaneously
- Frequently the hidden cause behind recurring back pain
Disc Herniation or Degeneration
The discs between your vertebrae act as shock absorbers. When they herniate (bulge) or degenerate over time, they can press on nearby nerves and cause significant pain — including pain that radiates into the leg.
- Herniation is common in adults aged 30–50
- Degeneration is often accelerated by underlying misalignment
- Pain often worsens with bending, sitting, or lifting
- Can cause radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs
Muscle Strain & Soft Tissue Injury
Overstretching or tearing of the muscles and ligaments around the spine causes acute back pain. Importantly, muscle strains are very often a consequence of an underlying spinal misalignment — which is why treating the muscle alone rarely provides lasting relief.
- Often triggered by lifting, twisting, or sudden movement
- Produces localised tenderness and muscle spasm
- Resolves faster when the underlying cause is addressed
- A muscle strain should normally recover within a few weeks — if it doesn't, this strongly suggests an underlying issue such as a spinal misalignment that is keeping the muscle under stress
- Recurring strains are a clear signal that a mechanical problem needs identifying and correcting at its source
Postural & Lifestyle Factors
Prolonged sitting, sedentary work, and poor posture place sustained, unnatural load on the lumbar spine. Over time this leads to joint stress, muscular imbalances, and spinal misalignment — even in people who consider themselves healthy.
- Office workers and drivers are particularly vulnerable
- Cumulative stress builds gradually and often without warning signs
- Weak core muscles reduce the spine's ability to protect itself
- Lifestyle advice is part of every care plan at Northwood
Chiropractic Treatment
for Back Pain
Not all back pain is the same, and not all Chiropractic care is the same. At Northwood Chiropractic Oxford, we use the Gonstead System — the gold standard of Chiropractic analysis — to identify the precise spinal level causing your back pain and correct it with a targeted adjustment.
This approach is fundamentally different from general spinal manipulation. Where generic treatment addresses the area of pain, Gonstead identifies where the problem is actually originating — which is often a different level of the spine entirely. This precision is why our patients achieve lasting results rather than short-term relief.
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1
Full Health History
We listen carefully before we examine anything. Understanding how your back pain developed, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your daily life shapes every decision that follows.
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2
Nerve Scan (Nervoscope)
A Nervoscope detects temperature differences along either side of the spine — a reliable indicator of nerve irritation. This tells us precisely which spinal level is involved, without guesswork.
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3
Structural & Movement Analysis
We assess your posture, movement patterns, and the motion of individual spinal joints to identify restrictions, compensations, and areas of mechanical dysfunction.
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4
Digital X-Ray Analysis
Where clinically indicated, digital X-rays allow us to see the alignment of your spine in detail — disc spacing, joint positioning, and any degenerative changes that inform the care plan.
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5
Results & Personalised Plan
On your second visit, we walk you through exactly what we found and why, and present a clear, tailored care plan. You will understand your back pain better than ever before — and know precisely what we intend to do about it.
What Does the Evidence Say?
Chiropractic care for back pain is not just clinically proven — it is recommended by major UK health bodies as a first-line treatment for mechanical back pain.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends spinal manipulation as a beneficial treatment for persistent, non-specific lower back pain — alongside exercise and psychological support.
A major UK trial published in the British Medical Journal found that spinal manipulation combined with exercise was more effective than standard GP care for lower back pain — with benefits lasting up to 12 months.
The Royal College of General Practitioners recognises Chiropractic and manual therapies as appropriate non-pharmacological treatments for musculoskeletal pain — an endorsement of the profession's clinical standing.
I am walking because of Steve, and walking without pain. I have seen all sorts of physios, osteopaths and chiropractors over the decades. Until now I have never found a good Chiropractor. In the last month since my first session I am almost pain free. I can stand. Sit. Walk. You are on my short list of specialists — I wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone who needs your help.
Back Pain & Chiropractic — FAQs
What is the best treatment for back pain?
The best treatment for back pain depends on its cause — which is why a thorough assessment is the essential first step. For mechanical back pain (by far the most common type), clinical evidence supports spinal manipulation, targeted exercise, and addressing the root cause rather than managing symptoms with medication. The Gonstead System is particularly effective because it identifies precisely which spinal joint is causing the problem and applies a specific correction — rather than applying generic treatment to the general area of pain.
What are the red flags of back pain?
Red flag symptoms that require urgent medical attention include: back pain following significant trauma; pain that is constant, progressive, and unrelieved by any position; unexplained weight loss; bladder or bowel dysfunction alongside back or leg pain (seek emergency care immediately); fever combined with back pain; and new back pain in anyone with a history of cancer. Most back pain does not involve red flags — but if you experience any of these, do not wait. All new patients at Northwood Chiropractic receive a full neurological screening, and we will refer immediately if anything concerning is identified.
What is the worst thing you can do for back pain?
The worst things you can do for back pain are: prolonged bed rest or complete inactivity (which weakens the spinal supporting muscles and delays recovery), repeatedly self-manipulating your spine (which moves joints that don't need moving, while missing the ones that do), relying solely on pain medication without investigating the cause, and continuing to ignore pain that has been present for weeks or months. The longer a mechanical back problem goes unaddressed, the more likely it is to become chronic and harder to resolve.
Can a Chiropractor help with back pain?
Yes — Chiropractic care is one of the most effective treatments available for mechanical back pain, and is recommended by NICE guidelines in the UK. At Northwood Chiropractic, we use the Gonstead System to identify the precise cause of your back pain and apply a targeted adjustment. Back pain is the most common condition we help with on a daily basis, and the majority of our patients experience significant and lasting improvement following their care plan.
How long does back pain last without treatment?
Acute back pain can settle within a few weeks — but without addressing the underlying cause, it very frequently recurs, often worse than before. Chronic back pain (lasting more than three months) rarely resolves on its own. Research consistently shows that early intervention produces better outcomes. If your back pain has been present for more than a few weeks, or keeps coming back, it is worth getting a thorough assessment to understand why.
Why does my back pain keep coming back?
Recurring back pain almost always indicates that the underlying mechanical cause has not been identified and corrected. If a spinal joint is misaligned, the muscles around it will continue to tighten, the disc above or below will continue to be stressed, and the pain will continue to return — regardless of how many times you treat the symptoms. This is the fundamental problem with purely symptom-based approaches. At Northwood Chiropractic, we look for the source of the recurring problem, not just the latest flare-up.
Is Chiropractic treatment safe for back pain?
Chiropractic care is widely recognised as safe and effective for mechanical back pain when delivered by a qualified, registered practitioner. Dr. Steve Hulme is registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and the United Chiropractic Association (UCA). Every patient at Northwood Chiropractic receives a full assessment — including neurological testing — before any treatment begins, ensuring your care is clinically appropriate and specific to your condition.
Do I need a GP referral to see a Chiropractor for back pain?
No. Chiropractors are primary healthcare practitioners — you can book directly without a GP referral. In fact, coming to us first often means getting a clearer diagnosis and a more specific treatment plan faster than waiting for a GP referral to a specialist. If we identify anything during your assessment that falls outside our scope of care, we will refer you to the right professional promptly.
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