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Lasting back pain relief in Fort Lauderdale from Spine & Joint Center — Gonstead-technique adjustments and spinal decompression that target the source of lumbar, disc, and sciatic pain.
Back pain most often originates from mechanical dysfunction in the lumbar spine — the five vertebrae from L1 to L5 — and the sacroiliac joints that connect the spine to the pelvis. When a vertebra loses its normal position and motion, the resulting joint restriction can irritate nearby spinal nerves and produce referred pain through the lumbar plexus into the buttock, hip, or leg. Disc-related pain follows a similar pattern: the lowest two segments, L4/L5 and L5/S1, carry the greatest mechanical load and account for the large majority of lumbar disc herniations. The Gonstead technique addresses this by identifying the primary restricted segment through motion palpation, then delivering a specific, controlled adjustment along a defined line of drive rather than a generalized manipulation. The American College of Physicians' 2017 clinical practice guideline places spinal manipulation among the first-line, non-drug options recommended before medication for low back pain.
Spine & Joint Center is located at 410 NE 44th St in Oakland Park, just minutes from downtown Fort Lauderdale, serving patients across Broward County. The practice has provided back pain care from this location for more than 46 years, and its chiropractors — Dr. Douglas Kellerman, DC and Dr. Michael F. Petrie, DC — bring 77 years of combined chiropractic experience.
Living with daily back pain? Relief starts with one focused evaluation.
Back pain has many sources, and an accurate diagnosis is what makes treatment effective. Spine & Joint Center treats a range of related conditions at the Fort Lauderdale practice, each evaluated individually before any treatment begins.
The discs of the lower lumbar spine act as shock absorbers. When one bulges or herniates against a nerve, pain can travel into the buttock or leg — a pattern addressed with our herniated disc treatment options.
Lifting, twisting, or one awkward movement can overstretch the muscles and ligaments of the lower back, leaving localized pain, stiffness, and protective spasm. Adjustments restore joint motion so strained tissue can settle.
With age, lumbar discs lose height and hydration, stressing the surrounding joints — a common source of chronic, activity-related back pain. For advanced cases, non-surgical spinal decompression relieves pressure and supports disc health.
Stenosis narrows the spinal canal and compresses lower-back nerves, producing pain that radiates into the legs with heaviness or cramping. When symptoms follow the sciatic nerve, care overlaps with sciatic nerve pain relief.
The sacroiliac joints link the spine to the pelvis. When one is restricted or irritated, it produces pain low and to one side of the back — often mistaken for a disc problem. A specific adjustment restores normal movement.
Back pain care at Spine & Joint Center begins with a full examination — health history, orthopedic and neurological testing, and motion palpation — to pinpoint which spinal segments are restricted and which structures are generating your pain. From there, your Doctor of Chiropractic builds a plan from several proven methods:
Spine & Joint Center combines these methods based on your individual findings and reassesses as you improve. Where back pain is part of a wider spinal pattern, he may incorporate broader hands-on spinal adjustments to support overall alignment.
Most back pain is mechanical and responds well to conservative chiropractic care, but certain symptoms call for prompt medical evaluation first.
Seek immediate medical attention if back pain follows a serious fall or collision, comes with fever, or is accompanied by loss of bladder or bowel control, progressive leg weakness, or numbness in the groin or inner thighs. These can signal a condition that needs urgent care beyond the scope of routine treatment.
For typical back pain, timing still matters. Acute back pain lasts under six weeks, subacute spans roughly six to twelve weeks, and pain persisting beyond twelve weeks is considered chronic. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that most acute low back pain improves with conservative care. Addressing pain early — while it is still acute — gives the spine the best chance to recover before muscle guarding and compensation patterns make the problem harder to resolve.
Lower back pain usually comes from mechanical problems in the lumbar spine — disc bulges or herniations, joint restrictions, muscle strain, or sacroiliac dysfunction. At Spine & Joint Center in Fort Lauderdale, the two lowest spinal segments, L4/L5 and L5/S1, are the most common source because they carry the greatest mechanical load.
A chiropractor treats back pain by restoring normal motion to restricted spinal joints. At Spine & Joint Center, the Gonstead technique, spinal decompression therapy, and the Activator method are used, paired with core-stabilization exercises. Back pain treatment in Fort Lauderdale is matched to your examination findings rather than a fixed routine.
Most back pain plans in Fort Lauderdale begin with two to three visits per week, then taper as pain eases and motion improves. Acute back pain often responds within a few weeks, while chronic conditions take longer. Your visit schedule is set after the initial examination.
Yes. Chiropractic care is an evidence-based option for chronic low back pain. The American College of Physicians recommends spinal manipulation among first-line, non-drug treatments for pain lasting beyond twelve weeks. At Spine & Joint Center in Fort Lauderdale, chronic back pain care combines adjustments, decompression, and rehabilitation.
Back pain and digestive discomfort can overlap. Nerves exiting the mid and lower back also supply abdominal organs, so spinal joint restrictions sometimes accompany digestive complaints. Chiropractic care does not treat digestive disease, but some Fort Lauderdale patients notice improved comfort once spinal mechanics improve.
Chiropractic care can be appropriate with osteoporosis when the technique is adapted to the condition. At Spine & Joint Center in Fort Lauderdale, low-force methods such as the Activator instrument and spinal decompression are used instead of forceful manual adjustments. Always report an osteoporosis diagnosis before treatment begins.
A chiropractor focuses on restoring spinal joint motion through hands-on adjustments, while a physical therapist emphasizes guided exercise and movement retraining. The approaches are complementary. At Spine & Joint Center in Fort Lauderdale, chiropractic adjustments and rehabilitation are combined within one back pain treatment plan.
Many insurance plans cover chiropractic care for back pain, including Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare for medically necessary spinal adjustments. Coverage varies by plan. Spine & Joint Center in Fort Lauderdale can verify your benefits before the first visit — call (954) 561-4700 to confirm what your plan includes.
You don't have to keep working around back pain. Whether it began with one wrong movement or built up over years, Dr. Kellerman and Dr. Petrie will examine your spine, explain what they find in plain language, and build a clear plan around your goals. Spine & Joint Center serves Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, and communities across Broward County.
Medically Reviewed By Dr. Michael F. Petrie, DC · May 2026
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any treatment program.
