How We Treat Low Back Pain Differently | Chiropractor in Cary, NC
Hi, it’s Dr. Steven Kosterman with Kosterman Chiropractic Center in Cary. Today, we want to talk to you about our approach to lower back pain.
If you’re watching this video, I’m willing to bet that you’re either:
- Struggling with lower back pain right now,
- Have dealt with it in the past, or
- Know someone who is.
So, I want to walk you through how we approach this in our practice, so you can decide if this is the right fit for you or a loved one. We would be honored to take care of you—it’s what we do every single week, and we’ve been doing it for nearly 13 years.
A Different Approach: Finding the Root Cause
Our approach to lower back pain is a little different than most medical offices.
We focus on finding out what’s driving the issue. I’m not simply going to write you a prescription to cover up the symptoms.
Think about it like this: if you have a cavity, your dentist doesn’t just numb the pain—they find the cause and fix it. Maybe it’s a cavity, maybe it’s a root canal.
It’s the same thing here. We want to get to the root cause.
Step 1: Consultation & Understanding Your Story
The first step is a consultation—a conversation where you tell me what’s going on.
We’ll cover:
- How long this has been bothering you
- What it feels like and where it’s located
- What makes it worse or better
- Who you’ve seen and what you’ve tried
- What has or hasn’t worked
- How frustrated you are
- And most importantly—your goals
From there, we determine if this is the right place for you.
Step 2: Digital X-Rays for Clear Answers
If it is a good fit, the next step is digital X-rays.
The advantage? We have a digital X-ray suite right here in our office, so we can get immediate results.
Why do we take them? Because we want as much accurate data as possible, as quickly as possible.
These X-rays help us see:
- What’s irritated or compressed
- Whether there’s disc damage or degeneration
- Structural issues inside your spine
No guessing—just clarity.
Step 3: Chiropractic Examination
Next, we perform a specific chiropractic exam.
And here’s a wild concept—we’re actually going to touch your spine.
We’ll:
- Evaluate your movement
- Perform targeted tests
- Gently assess problem areas
Unlike many medical visits where providers may not even put hands on you, we take a hands-on, detailed approach—always keeping your comfort in mind.
Step 4: Case Review & Personalized Plan
Once we gather all the information—your consultation, exam, and imaging—we build your case.
I spend a significant amount of time reviewing:
- Your X-rays (marking them up for precision)
- Your symptoms and history
- The severity of your condition
From there, we determine:
- How long it will take to improve
- What your best treatment options are
At your follow-up visit, we’ll present a custom plan tailored to your goals—whether you want short-term relief or long-term correction.
Treatment Options We Offer
We use a combination of proven methods, including:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Gentle, specific corrections to relieve pressure on nerves and restore alignment
- Instrument-assisted adjustments
- Ideal for patients who prefer a lighter approach, including older adults or children
- Non-surgical spinal decompression
- A state-of-the-art therapy that helps treat:
- Disc herniations
- Severe degeneration
- Nerve compression
In many cases, this has allowed us to help patients avoid surgery altogether—which is a huge win.
All of these treatments work together to help your body heal naturally—not just temporarily relieve symptoms.
We’ve been doing this for over 13 years, and we’re incredibly passionate about helping patients get lasting results.
