Back Pain Treatment in St. Marys
Drug-free back pain relief in St. Marys, KS — lower, upper, and mid-back. We find the root cause and treat it with gentle adjustments, decompression, and traction.
Chiropractic care for back pain
Get to the root of your back pain
Also known as: Lower Back Pain, Upper Back Pain, Mid-Back Pain, Lumbago, Dorsalgia
If back pain is keeping you from work, workouts, or a good night's sleep, you're not alone — it's one of the most common reasons people see a chiropractor. Whether it's lower, upper, or mid-back pain, Dr. James Durbin pinpoints what's actually driving it and builds a gentle, drug-free plan that targets the root cause instead of masking it.
Symptoms of back pain
- ✓A dull, constant ache in the lower back
- ✓Sharp or stabbing pain when you move or lift
- ✓Stiffness after sitting or first thing in the morning
- ✓Pain that radiates into the hips, buttocks, or legs
- ✓Muscle spasms or tightness across the low back
- ✓Trouble standing up straight or bending over
Common causes
- Muscle or ligament strain from lifting or twisting
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease or spinal arthritis
- Poor posture and long hours of sitting
- Sciatica or a pinched nerve
- Weak core muscles and repetitive strain
- Auto accidents and sports injuries
Our approach
How we treat back pain in St. Marys
- Step 1
Thorough exam
We review your history and perform orthopedic, neurological, and movement testing to find the true source of your pain — and refer for imaging only when it will change your care.
- Step 2
A clear, personalized plan
You get a plain-English explanation of what we found and a care plan matched to it, which Dr. Durbin reviews with you as you progress.
- Step 3
Gentle, hands-on treatment
We combine adjustments, spinal decompression or intersegmental traction, and trigger point therapy to relieve pain now, plus simple home exercises that rebuild the strength that keeps it from returning.
The basics
Understanding back pain
Your spine runs from the base of your skull to your pelvis, and back pain can show up anywhere along it. The lower back (lumbar spine) carries most of your body weight and is the most common site, but the mid-back (thoracic spine) and upper back also take a beating from posture, desk work, and old injuries. Most adults experience back pain somewhere along the spine at some point in their lives.
The good news is that the vast majority of back pain is mechanical — it comes from how the joints, discs, and muscles of your spine are moving (or not moving) — which means it often responds well to conservative, drug-free chiropractic care. The key is finding why your back hurts rather than just chasing the pain with medication.
New Patient Special
visit
A first-visit special for new patients.
Book your first visit
Book online in a minute, or call and we will find a time that fits your day.
Self-pay and cash-pay practice.
When to see a chiropractor in St. Marys
It’s tempting to wait out back pain, but early care usually means a faster, fuller recovery. Consider booking an exam if you notice:
- Pain that lingers more than a few days or keeps returning
- Stiffness that limits your work, workouts, or sleep
- Pain that travels into your hip, buttock, or leg (a sign of sciatica)
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in a leg or foot
- Back pain after a car accident, fall, or sports injury
During your first visit we get to the bottom of it with a thorough exam, then walk you through exactly what we found and how we plan to treat it.
Lower, upper, and mid-back pain — we treat all three
“Back pain” isn’t one thing. Where it sits usually points to a different cause, and your care plan should reflect that.
Lower back pain
The most common form by far, lower back pain comes from the lumbar spine that carries most of your body weight. It’s often triggered by lifting, prolonged sitting, disc problems, or sciatica — and it responds especially well to chiropractic adjustments, non-surgical spinal decompression, and simple core exercises you can do at home.
Upper back pain
Pain across the upper back and between the shoulder blades is usually posture- and tension-driven — hours hunched over a screen, a heavy bag on one shoulder, or stress that settles into the muscles. Restricted joints and tight tissue here respond well to adjustments and trigger point therapy, often alongside neck pain care.
Mid-back pain
Mid-back (thoracic) pain often stems from rib-joint restrictions, posture, or muscle strain, and can feel like a deep ache or a catch when you breathe or twist. We restore motion to the thoracic spine and ribs with gentle adjustments and intersegmental traction, and help you retrain the postural habits driving it.
Types of back pain we treat
No two backs are the same, and “back pain” can mean very different things. Common types we treat include:
- Acute back pain — sudden pain from lifting, twisting, or a minor injury that often clears up quickly with the right care.
- Chronic back pain — pain lasting three months or longer, where finding and correcting the root cause matters most.
- Sciatica and nerve pain — pain that radiates from the low back into the leg or foot (see our dedicated sciatica page).
- Disc-related pain — from a bulging or herniated disc, often relieved by non-surgical spinal decompression.
- Posture- and work-related pain — the dull ache that builds from long hours of sitting, driving, or repetitive strain.
Your exam tells us which type you’re dealing with, so your plan is built for your back — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first appointment is unhurried, and it’s all about understanding your pain before we treat it. We’ll:
- Listen to your story — when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and how it’s affecting your day.
- Examine thoroughly — orthopedic, neurological, and movement testing to pinpoint the source (we order imaging only when it will change your care).
- Explain what we found — in plain English, with a clear care plan and realistic expectations.
- Start care when appropriate — if you’re a good candidate, you may receive your first gentle adjustment the same day, by hand or with the low-force Activator Method if you prefer a lighter touch.
Dr. Durbin reviews your progress with you along the way, and any ongoing visits are always your choice.
Drug-free back pain relief — without medication or surgery
Medication can mask back pain for a few hours, and surgery is a major step that’s rarely necessary for mechanical back pain. Chiropractic care offers a third path: relieve the pain and correct what’s causing it, without drugs or downtime. The goal is to get you back to work, workouts, and family life — and keep you there. And if your exam ever suggests you need imaging, medication, or a specialist, we’ll tell you honestly and help coordinate that care.
Why choose Prairie Star Chiropractic in St. Marys
At Prairie Star Chiropractic, serving St. Marys, Rossville, Wamego, Belvue, and Silver Lake, we focus on the cause, not just the symptom. Dr. James Durbin combines gentle, evidence-based chiropractic adjustments, non-surgical spinal decompression, trigger point therapy, and simple home exercises into one clear plan — so you get relief now and the strength to keep back pain from coming back.
New to the office? Our New Patient Special makes your first visit easy, and you can book an appointment online.
Why choose chiropractic
Chiropractic care vs. the typical back-pain routine
| Comparison factor | Chiropractic Care | Pain Meds & Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Addresses the root cause | ✓Corrects spinal mechanics | ✕Masks the symptoms |
| Drug-free & non-invasive | ✓Always | ✕Rarely |
| Risk of side effects | ✓Minimal | ✕Higher (meds, surgery) |
| Personalized to you | ✓Custom care plan | ✕One-size-fits-all |
| Builds long-term strength | ✓Home exercises included | ✕Seldom addressed |
| Typical recovery | ✓Active & gradual | ✕Often lengthy |
Treatment options
Services we use to relieve back pain
Chiropractic Adjusting Techniques
Gentle, precise chiropractic adjustments in St. Marys, KS that restore motion to restricted joints and relieve back pain, neck pain, and headaches at the source.
Learn more →Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Non-surgical spinal decompression in St. Marys gently stretches the spine to relieve herniated discs, sciatica, and chronic neck and back pain — drug-free.
Learn more →Intersegmental Traction Therapy
Intersegmental traction in St. Marys uses a gentle roller table to mobilize each spinal segment, improve disc circulation, ease muscle tension, and restore flexibility.
Learn more →Trigger Point Therapy
Focused pressure on muscle knots in St. Marys, KS releases trigger points that cause neck pain, headaches, and shoulder tension — drug-free relief at the source.
Learn more →Activator Method Technique
Activator Method chiropractic in St. Marys — a spring-loaded, low-force instrument adjustment for all ages, backed by decades of research. Gentle, precise, effective.
Learn more →Related conditions
Other conditions we treat in St. Marys
When should I see a chiropractor for back pain?+
If your back pain lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, or limits work, sleep, or exercise, it's worth an exam. The sooner we identify the cause, the faster and more completely most people recover.
Is chiropractic treatment for back pain safe?+
Yes. Chiropractic adjustments are a safe, well-studied, drug-free way to relieve back pain. We screen every patient on the first visit and only begin treatment once we confirm you're a good candidate.
How many visits will I need to feel better?+
It depends on how long you've had the pain and what's causing it. After your exam, Dr. Durbin recommends a care plan matched to what he finds and explains the reasoning — no pressure.
Do you take insurance for back pain treatment?+
No. Prairie Star Chiropractic is a cash-pay practice, so we do not bill insurance. We explain the cost of care up front, and new patients can start with our New Patient Special.
Can chiropractic help a herniated disc or sciatica?+
Often, yes. Non-surgical spinal decompression and gentle adjustments can relieve pressure on the disc and the nerve. We'll be honest about your candidacy and refer out if you need it.
Do I need a referral or imaging before I come in?+
No referral is needed in Kansas, and most back pain doesn't require imaging. We screen for red flags during your exam and order imaging only when it will change your treatment.
How soon will I feel relief?+
Most acute, mechanical back pain improves within a few weeks, and many people notice a difference early in care — though every case is different. Lasting results come from completing your plan and keeping up the home exercises that keep the pain from returning.
Do you treat back pain from a car accident or sports injury?+
Yes. Back pain after a car accident or sports injury gets the same careful approach — a thorough exam first, then a clear plan — and we refer out promptly if you need imaging or a medical evaluation. As a self-pay practice, we do not bill auto, health, or any other insurance.
What causes lower back pain?+
Most low back pain is mechanical — strained muscles, restricted spinal joints, a bulging or herniated disc, arthritis, poor posture, or a weak core. Our exam pinpoints which of these is driving your pain so we can target it directly instead of guessing.
What causes lower back pain in women?+
Women experience the same mechanical causes as anyone — disc and joint issues, posture, and core weakness — plus added strain from pregnancy, hormonal changes, and conditions like endometriosis. A thorough exam helps us tell the difference and build the right plan.
How can I relieve lower back pain at home?+
Gentle movement and walking, alternating ice and heat, improving your sitting posture, and light core and hip stretches all help. If the pain lasts more than a few days or radiates into your leg, book an exam so we can address the cause rather than just manage it.