Back Pain Treatment

HERO SECTION

Stop Living With Back Pain — Get Real Treatment That Lasts

Back pain controls your mornings, limits your work, and steals your sleep. You deserve more than temporary fixes. At McAlpine Chiropractic in Holland, MI, we find the structural cause of your back pain and correct it — so you can get back to the life you’ve been missing.

Schedule Your Appointment | Call 616-392-7031

Serving Holland and West Michigan for over 30 years | 4.8 stars on Google

What Is Back Pain — and Why Won’t It Go Away?

Back pain treatment starts with understanding what is actually happening in your spine. Your lumbar spine — the five vertebrae in your lower back (L1-L5) — bears the majority of your body’s weight while providing the flexibility to bend, twist, and lift. Between each vertebra sits a disc that acts as a shock absorber, and nerve roots exit at every level to supply sensation and strength to your legs and feet.

Back pain is not a single condition — it is a symptom of an underlying structural, muscular, or neurological problem. That is exactly why the heating pad, the over-the-counter pills, and the “wait and see” approach keep failing. They address the symptom but never touch the cause.

At McAlpine Chiropractic in Holland, MI, we see patients every day who have been dealing with back pain for months or years. Most have tried multiple approaches before coming to us. The pattern is almost always the same: the pain goes away for a while, then comes back worse than before.

Common symptoms that bring patients to our office include:

• Dull, aching pain in the lower back that worsens with sitting or standing
• Sharp or shooting pain that radiates into the buttocks or legs
• Stiffness and reduced range of motion, especially in the morning
• Muscle spasms that lock up without warning
• Pain that intensifies after lifting, bending, or twisting
• Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet (the location of numbness often indicates which lumbar nerve root is affected)
• Difficulty sleeping because no position feels comfortable

If any of these sound familiar, your back pain is telling you something structural needs to be addressed — not masked.

(For a deeper look at why back pain keeps recurring and what breaks the cycle, read our guide: The Real Reason Your Back Pain Keeps Coming Back.)

What Causes Back Pain?

The causes of back pain range from acute injury to years of accumulated wear and tear. Understanding your specific cause is the first step toward effective back pain treatment. The most common causes we diagnose and treat at our Holland clinic include:

Herniated disc — The soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tougher outer casing, pressing on nearby nerves. This frequently causes pain that radiates down the leg (sciatica) and can produce numbness or weakness.

Bulging disc — Similar to a herniated disc, but the disc material pushes outward without fully rupturing. Bulging discs often develop gradually and may not cause symptoms until they compress a nerve root.

Degenerative disc disease — Over time, spinal discs lose hydration and height, reducing the cushioning between vertebrae. This is one of the most common causes of chronic back pain in adults over 40 and is frequently overlooked until imaging reveals the extent of the degeneration.

Spinal misalignment (subluxation) — When vertebrae shift out of their proper position, they create uneven pressure on discs, nerves, and surrounding muscles. This is the structural root cause behind a large percentage of recurring lower back pain.

Muscle strain and ligament sprain — Overexertion, poor lifting mechanics, or sudden movements can damage the soft tissues supporting the spine. Without proper treatment, these injuries often lead to compensatory movement patterns that create new problems.

Spinal stenosis — Narrowing of the spinal canal puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This condition is more common with age and often causes pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs.

Because our chiropractors — Dr. Phillip Maletta, Dr. Ben De Young, and Dr. Ann McAlpine — can order diagnostic imaging including X-rays and MRI, we identify the precise cause of your pain before beginning any treatment. No guessing. No generic protocols.

How We Treat Back Pain at McAlpine Chiropractic

Effective back pain treatment requires more than one tool. Our Holland, MI clinic combines three proven approaches to address the full spectrum of back pain causes — from muscular tension to disc degeneration to nerve compression.

1. Chiropractic Adjustments

Chiropractic adjustments are the foundation of everything we do. When vertebrae are misaligned, they create nerve pressure, muscle compensation, and inflammation that perpetuates pain. A precise spinal adjustment restores proper alignment, relieves nerve interference, and allows your body’s healing systems to work the way they are designed to.

Adjustments are safe, targeted, and effective for both acute episodes and chronic back pain. Many patients experience noticeable improvement after their first visit.

2. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (SpineMed Table)

For patients with herniated discs, bulging discs, or degenerative disc disease, our SpineMed decompression table delivers results that other approaches cannot match. This FDA-cleared system gently stretches the spine using precisely controlled angles between 0 and 25 degrees, creating negative pressure within the disc space. That negative pressure draws herniated or bulging disc material back toward center, takes pressure off compressed nerves, and promotes the flow of oxygen and nutrients into damaged discs.

The SpineMed table is engineered differently than standard traction or inversion tables. Its patented pelvic restraint system prevents the muscles from guarding and fighting the stretch — a common problem with other decompression systems. The result is approximately 60% less force applied to the patient while achieving superior decompression. Treatment sessions are comfortable, and many patients fall asleep during the procedure.

Non-surgical spinal decompression is one of the most effective alternatives to back surgery available today — and it involves zero downtime, zero incisions, and zero medication.

3. Class IV Laser Therapy

Class IV laser therapy delivers concentrated therapeutic light energy deep into inflamed and damaged tissue. At the cellular level, this energy accelerates repair, reduces inflammation, and decreases pain. Laser therapy is particularly effective for the soft tissue component of back pain — the muscle spasms, ligament inflammation, and tissue damage that accompany spinal conditions.

When combined with adjustments and decompression, laser therapy accelerates recovery significantly. Each treatment reinforces the others: adjustments correct the structural problem, decompression addresses the disc, and laser therapy heals the surrounding tissue.

4. Diagnostic Imaging

Unlike many chiropractic offices, our doctors can order X-rays and MRI when clinically indicated. This means we can see exactly what is happening inside your spine before we start treatment — and we can track structural improvement as your care progresses.

5. Personalized Care Plans

Every back pain case is different. A 25-year-old athlete with a disc injury needs a completely different approach than a 60-year-old with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. Your care plan is built around your specific diagnosis, your body, and your goals.

6. Corrective Exercises and Home Care

We teach you how to support your recovery between visits with targeted stretches and strengthening exercises. The goal is to correct the problem and equip you to maintain a healthy spine long-term — not to create dependence on treatment.

7. Lifestyle and Ergonomic Guidance

Workplace setup, sleeping position, lifting mechanics, and daily movement patterns all affect your spine. We identify the habits contributing to your pain and help you change them.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Walking into a new healthcare office can feel uncertain. Here is exactly what happens at McAlpine Chiropractic so there are no surprises.

Consultation: We start by listening. You will describe your pain, your history, what you have already tried, and what your goals are. We ask detailed questions because the details matter.

Examination: A thorough physical and neurological examination identifies areas of misalignment, nerve involvement, and structural dysfunction. If diagnostic imaging is needed, we will order it.

Diagnosis and treatment plan: We explain what we found, what is causing your pain, and exactly how we plan to treat it — including how many visits we anticipate and what results you should expect.

First treatment: In most cases, we begin treatment on day one. You do not have to wait weeks for relief to start.

Book Your First Visit | Call 616-392-7031

Why Choose McAlpine Chiropractic for Back Pain Treatment

Holland, MI has several chiropractic options. Here is what sets us apart:

• Three experienced doctors — Dr. Phillip Maletta, Dr. Ben De Young, and Dr. Ann McAlpine bring decades of combined clinical experience treating back pain, disc conditions, and spinal disorders.
• Advanced technology — Our SpineMed decompression table and Class IV laser are not available at most chiropractic offices. These tools allow us to treat conditions that adjustments alone cannot fully resolve.
• Diagnostic capability — We can order X-rays and MRI in-house, giving us a clear picture of your spine before treatment begins.
• Results-oriented approach — Our goal is to correct the problem, not manage it indefinitely. We build care plans with clear endpoints and measurable outcomes.
• Serving Holland for over 30 years — McAlpine Chiropractic is an established part of the Holland, MI community. Learn more about our team and our approach.

Patient Results

“Dr. Ann has a gift in figuring out what hurts and why and how. Second to none, hands down the best.” — Verified Google Review

“Doctor and staff are always so kind and professional.” — Verified Patient Review

[PLACEHOLDER — Add a back-pain-specific patient testimonial here. Requires signed Testimonial and Consent Form or pull from Google reviews. Check `4-Marketing/Testimonials/`.]

(All testimonials from verified patient reviews. Individual results may vary.)

Frequently Asked Questions About Back Pain Treatment

How long does back pain treatment take?

It depends on the cause and severity of your condition. A patient with an acute muscle strain may see significant improvement in 4–6 visits. A patient with a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease typically requires a longer treatment plan of 8–12 weeks (10-12 visits total). During your first visit, we will give you an honest timeline based on your specific diagnosis.

Can a chiropractor help with a herniated disc?

Yes. Chiropractic adjustments combined with non-surgical spinal decompression are among the most effective non-invasive treatments for herniated discs. The SpineMed table creates negative pressure within the disc, encouraging herniated material to retract and relieving nerve compression. Many patients avoid surgery entirely with this approach.

Is back pain treatment covered by insurance?

Most insurance plans in Michigan cover chiropractic care for back pain. Coverage varies by plan, so we recommend calling your insurance provider or contacting our office at 616-392-7031 — we can help you verify your benefits before your first visit.

What is the difference between chiropractic care and physical therapy for back pain?

Chiropractic care focuses on correcting spinal alignment and relieving nerve pressure — addressing the structural root cause of pain. Physical therapy focuses on rehabilitation exercises and strengthening the muscles that support your spine. Both are valuable, and they work best together. Our chiropractors have passed the national board exam for physical therapy and provide corrective exercises in-house. When a patient’s rehabilitation needs go beyond what we offer, we coordinate with trusted local physical therapists to ensure the best outcome.

Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor for back pain in Michigan?

No. Michigan law allows you to see a chiropractor directly without a referral from another physician. You can schedule your appointment today.

When should I see a chiropractor instead of going to the ER for back pain?

Go to the emergency room if you experience sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, progressive leg weakness, or back pain following major trauma (car accident, fall from height). For all other back pain — including severe pain, radiating pain, or pain that has lasted weeks or months — a chiropractic evaluation is the appropriate first step. If we determine your condition requires medical intervention beyond our scope, we will refer you immediately.

Is spinal decompression painful?

No. Treatment on the SpineMed table is gentle and comfortable. The system uses a patented pelvic restraint that prevents muscle guarding, and it applies approximately 60% less force than other decompression systems. Most patients find the sessions relaxing — many fall asleep during treatment.

Stop Waiting. Start Healing.

Every week you spend managing back pain instead of treating it is another week your condition progresses. Discs do not heal themselves. Misalignments do not correct themselves. But with the right care, your body has a remarkable ability to recover.

McAlpine Chiropractic has helped thousands of patients in Holland, MI and the surrounding communities get out of pain and stay out of pain. You can be next.

Schedule Your Appointment Now

Call us: 616-392-7031

Visit us: McAlpine Chiropractic, Holland, MI

Hours: Monday–Friday