Find Lasting Relief with These Lower Back Pain Solutions in Clifton NJ
Clifton, United States - August 7, 2025 / Alternative Chiropractic /
You bend over to pick up a grocery bag, and suddenly your lower back locks up. A sharp twinge turns into a dull ache that sticks around for days. You try stretching. You try resting. Nothing seems to help.
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people in Clifton visit a chiropractor. And if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with it right now. The good news? You don’t have to live like this. With the right care and simple changes to your routine, you can relieve lower back pain and get your mobility back.
At Alternative Chiropractic, Dr. Andreas Skounakis offers a practical, hands-on approach that’s helped countless patients feel better, move better, and stay better. From chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy plans to advanced spinal treatments, we’re here to help you find real relief without surgery or endless pills.
Common Causes of Lower Back Pain in Clifton
Most people with back pain aren’t dealing with a major injury. The pain usually builds up from everyday habits: long commutes, poor posture, sitting too long, or lifting the wrong way. All of these can strain your back muscles and put extra pressure on your lower spine.
Some of the most common causes of back pain include:
- Poor posture at your desk or while driving
- Strained muscles from lifting, twisting, or bending
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Arthritis and inflammation in spinal joints
- Degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis
If you’ve recently started a new job, started working from home, or just noticed you’re not moving as much, that could explain your pain. Even sleeping without proper support such as using a pillow under your knees or between your legs can worsen symptoms.
How We Diagnose the Root Cause
At Alternative Chiropractic, we don’t guess; we assess. Dr. Skounakis starts with a full patient history and a detailed physical exam. We look at your posture, spine alignment, and how your body moves. If necessary, we’ll refer you out for imaging like X-rays or MRIs to confirm the diagnosis. Dr. Skounakis also has advanced training in Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA), which helps patients with severe or chronic back pain that hasn’t responded to standard treatments.
At-Home Treatments for Lower Back Pain Relief
If you’re dealing with discomfort at home, these simple remedies can help you feel better and stay active while you heal.
1. Ice or Heat: When and How to Use Them
If your back pain just started, grab an ice pack first. Ice helps reduce inflammation and numbs pain signals from irritated nerves. Apply it for 15–20 minutes every hour during the first 48 hours.
Once the swelling goes down, heat therapy can help increase blood flow to tight muscles. A heating pad or warm bath can ease stiffness and make it easier to move. Just avoid falling asleep with the heat on.
2. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief That Works
You don’t always need a prescription to reduce pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can lower inflammation and decrease swelling. Acetaminophen may help too, especially if you’re sensitive to NSAIDs.
You can also try topical creams or patches designed for pain relief. These products deliver pain medications directly to the area, bypassing your digestive system. Just remember, over-the-counter pain medications are for short-term use. If you still feel pain after a week, it’s time to see a care provider for further treatment.
3. Stay Active; Even When It Hurts
Bed rest might feel like the safe choice, but staying still too long can actually make back pain worse. Movement increases circulation, lowers inflammation, and keeps your joints mobile.
Try short walks, gentle stretches, or low-impact exercises like cycling or swimming. At-home treatments often relieve mild symptoms if you stay consistent. If you sit for work, get up every 30–45 minutes to stretch and reset your posture.
The Best Stretches and Exercises to Ease Back Pain
When back pain strikes, targeted movement can be one of the most effective ways to find relief. Start with the right stretches.
4. Stretches That Target the Right Muscles
Simple stretches can help loosen your hips, hamstrings, and lower back muscles. Here are a few to try:
- Child’s pose: Helps lengthen the spine
- Knee-to-chest stretch: Relieves tension in the low back
- Trunk rotations: Improve spinal mobility
- Seated forward fold: Releases hamstring tension
Do each stretch slowly and hold for 20–30 seconds. Stop if you feel sharp or shooting pain.
5. Strengthen Your Core to Support Your Spine
A weak core can’t support your spine. That’s why core strengthening exercises are so important for people with back pain. Try these:
- Glute bridges
- Pelvic tilts
- Bird-dog
- Planks (start on your knees if needed)
These exercises build the muscles that reduce pressure on your lower back.
6. Breathe, Stretch, and Reset with Yoga-Inspired Moves
Gentle yoga can reduce stress, improve mobility, and help relieve chronic back pain. Moves like cat-cow, sphinx pose, and reclined twists stretch your spine while calming the nervous system.
Pairing movement with deep breathing slows down pain signals and improves oxygen flow to your tissues. It’s a great way to reset after a stressful day.
What You Can Expect from Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care offers more than just quick relief. It addresses the root causes of back pain through a combination of targeted techniques.
7. Spinal Adjustments to Realign and Reduce Pain
Chiropractic adjustments restore motion to stiff joints and reduce pressure on spinal nerves. At Alternative Chiropractic, we use safe, manual techniques to correct misalignments and help you move without pain.
Many patients feel better after just one or two visits. For others, we create a custom treatment plan to gradually reduce symptoms and improve function.
8. Rehab Plans to Build Long-Term Strength
We often pair adjustments with physical therapy exercises to correct movement patterns, improve posture, and build strength. Rehab is especially useful for those with recurring flare-ups or chronic low back pain.
Your plan may include stretching, core work, electrical stimulation, and posture training; all guided by a licensed provider.
9. Soft Tissue Techniques to Loosen Tight Muscles
We also use massage therapy, trigger point work, and myofascial release to relieve muscle tension and improve blood flow. These methods are especially helpful for those with muscle spasms or stress-related pain.
What to Do If Your Pain Is Severe or Long-Term
If your back pain hasn’t improved with home care or conservative treatment, it may be time to explore more advanced options.
10. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
If your pain is from a bulging disc or pinched nerve, spinal decompression might help. This treatment gently stretches your spine, creating space for discs to heal and nerves to decompress. It’s non-invasive and often part of our protocol for sciatica or disc-related conditions.
11. Injections or Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA)
When conservative treatments aren’t enough, we may refer you for epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation near spinal nerves. Or, Dr. Skounakis may recommend MUA, which breaks up scar tissue while you’re lightly sedated.
These are last-resort options for those with chronic pain or limited mobility; but they can be effective when paired with rehab.
12. When It’s Time to Consider Surgery
Surgery isn’t common, but it may be necessary for severe conditions like spinal stenosis, fractured vertebrae, or nerve pain that causes weakness. We’ll help coordinate care with a trusted spine specialist if this becomes necessary.
Why Clifton Patients Trust Dr. Skounakis
Dr. Andreas Skounakis has helped thousands of patients in Clifton manage pain and recover from back injuries. With over two decades of experience, he offers more than just adjustments; he offers a path to long-term recovery.
As the President of the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors, he’s deeply committed to clinical excellence and ongoing education. His clinic combines expert care with real compassion.
Lower back pain is common, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept it as part of life. Whether it’s caused by poor posture, a disc problem, or muscle strain, you have options that work.
From at-home pain relief and physical therapy to chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression, our team at Alternative Chiropractic in Clifton is ready to help your back feel better; starting today.
Let’s get you moving again. Book your consultation and take the first step toward real relief.
Contact Information:
Alternative Chiropractic
First Floor, 1011 Clifton Avenue,
Clifton, NJ 07013
United States
Andreas Shounakis
(973) 779-2466
https://alternativechiroandrehab.com/
