How Do I Know If My Lower Back Pain Is Serious?
By the Forza Chiropractic Team – Arlington Heights, IL
Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints we hear at Forza Chiropractic — and while most cases are nothing to panic about, some signs tell us it’s time to take things seriously.
Here’s how to know when your lower back pain isn’t just “normal soreness” and may need professional attention.
✅ 1. It’s Been Lingering for More Than a Week or Two
Mild back pain from sleeping wrong, lifting heavy, or overdoing it at the gym usually fades with rest, stretching, or a warm bath.
But if your pain has been hanging around longer than 10–14 days, it’s time for a deeper look.
Why? Because pain that persists could point to:
-
A spinal misalignment
-
Disc bulge or herniation
-
Nerve irritation
-
Muscle imbalance that’s not correcting itself
🔥 2. The Pain Is Sharp, Shooting, or Travels Down the Leg
This isn’t just a sore muscle — this could be sciatica.
If your pain feels like electricity, burning, or tingling that runs down one side of your body (often through the glutes and down your leg), it’s likely a sign that a nerve is being pinched.
This needs attention ASAP. Left untreated, it can worsen or lead to numbness and weakness.
🌙 3. It’s Interrupting Your Sleep or Daily Life
Back pain becomes serious when it starts affecting your life:
-
You can’t sit or stand for long
-
You’re waking up at night
-
Getting dressed or walking is difficult
-
You’ve started avoiding things you love
Don’t “tough it out.” Pain is your body’s signal that something’s off — and the longer it goes unaddressed, the more your body compensates and adapts (in all the wrong ways).
💊 4. You’re Living on Pain Meds or Heating Pads
Painkillers mask symptoms, but they don’t fix the underlying issue.
If you’re relying on daily NSAIDs, heating pads, or muscle rubs just to get through the day… that’s a red flag.
Our job at Forza is to get to the root cause — not just cover up the signals.
🧠 5. You’ve Been Told “It’s Just Part of Getting Older”
We hear this all the time — and respectfully, we disagree.
Aging doesn’t have to mean chronic pain.
In fact, many of our patients in their 50s, 60s, and beyond are living pain-free, active lives thanks to consistent care, spinal alignment, and strengthening protocols.
👨⚕️ When to Call a Chiropractor (Hint: Sooner Than You Think)
Here in Arlington Heights, our 90-Day Back on Track Challenge is designed specifically for people dealing with:
-
Chronic lower back pain
-
Posture breakdown from work or driving
-
Sciatic nerve issues
-
Sleep disturbances due to back discomfort
We help you reduce pain by 90% in 90 days — or we treat you until you do.
That’s our promise.
🟢 Ready to Take Your Next Step?
If your back pain feels serious — that’s because it probably is.
You don’t have to suffer, guess, or Google your way through it.
Let’s get you moving better, sleeping deeper, and living pain-free.
📍 Schedule your initial visit at Forza Chiropractic today — we’ll start with a full exam and customize a plan that gets you back on track.