Conditions we treat

Neck & Back Pain

Back and neck pain is the most common reason people come to Westside Chiropractic, and the complaint patients write about most in their reviews.

What the condition usually is and what good care for it looks like, from the published research and guidelines below. Then how we approach it, and what patients said afterwards.

5.0 average from 130+ Google reviews22 reviews about thisFirst visit 45–60 minutesWhen to get urgent help
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The condition

What back and neck pain usually is

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability in the world, and for nearly everyone who has it there is no single physical cause to find. Only a small number turn out to have a fracture, an infection or a tumour behind it.[1]

Neck pain is fourth on the same list, and more than three people in ten have some in a given year. Most acute episodes settle, though close to half of people go on to have continuing pain or recurrences.[2]

New low back pain improves substantially over the first six weeks (moderate-certainty evidence); pain that has been around a long time improves much more slowly (very low-certainty evidence). That is the natural course of the problem, not evidence that any treatment caused it, and not a schedule.[3]

The standards

What good care for it looks like

Guidelines around the world agree on where care starts, and it is not with a scan or a prescription. The international position is a first approach without drugs: advice and information that help you manage it yourself, and getting back to normal activity and exercise.[4, 5]

The American College of Physicians recommends treating new back pain without drugs first — heat, massage, acupuncture or spinal manipulation — and heads its list for long-standing pain with exercise. It prints the grade of evidence beside each option, and manipulation carries the lower grade in both.[6]

“Consider manual therapy (spinal manipulation, mobilisation or soft tissue techniques such as massage) for managing low back pain with or without sciatica, but only as part of a treatment package that includes exercise.”
NICE guideline NG59, recommendation 1.2.7, amended July 2026[5]

That is the shape of it in every guideline: hands-on treatment as one part of a plan, not the whole of it. That is the guidelines speaking, not us. Cochrane found exercise probably helps long-standing back pain compared with no treatment, while being candid that its advantage over other conservative treatments was small and, in the reviewers’ own words, not clinically important; neck strengthening has moderate-quality support from reviewers who say plainly that no high-quality evidence has been found yet.[7, 8]

Two fair questions

About scans, and about safety

For back pain with no warning signs, scanning straight away does not produce better pain or function — six randomised trials in 1,804 people found no difference. NICE advises against routine imaging outside a specialist setting, and the chiropractic profession has published the same finding about its own X-rays. A report is not an explanation either: MRI finds “degenerative change” constantly in people with no pain at all.[9, 5, 10, 2]

On safety, Cochrane notes that rare but serious adverse events exist with neck manipulation. On the stroke question, a systematic review found the evidence neither confirms nor rules out a link, and asked that consent tell patients neck movements including manipulation may increase the risk of a rare form of stroke; the largest study — 818 such strokes over more than 100 million person-years — found no excess risk with chiropractic care compared with primary care, concluding that people whose artery has already begun to tear seek help for the pain it causes shortly beforehand. Either way the rule is the same: neck pain or a headache that is sudden, severe or unlike anything before should be assessed urgently rather than treated.[11, 12, 13]

How we work

What happens when you bring it in

Every new patient starts the same way: a full medical history, an orthopedic and neurologic evaluation, and a review of any imaging where that is appropriate. Plans pair hands-on treatment — full manual technique, or lighter drop-table and instrument work chosen from your preference and the examination — with stretches and exercises for the complaint you came in with, which nearly every new patient leaves with.

  1. A full office visit.

    Your first visit will be roughly 45-60 minutes in duration and involve the following: full medical history, orthopedic & neurologic evaluation, review of imaging (when appropriate), additional referrals & co-management (when needed), and your first homework: lifestyle changes, rehab exercises and pain education to start at home.

  2. Treatment on the same day

    Almost always, we are able to treat on the first visit. If we find any red flags during your examination or another need for a referral prior to treatment, we will let you know and schedule accordingly.

And if it is not ours to treat

One of the biggest differences you’ll notice about our practice is that we are upfront and honest about what we can and cannot help you with. This means that we’ll make sure you’re being co-managed by all of the right providers in all specialties.

The treatments themselves

Which of these we offer comes out of the examination. Each one is described on the services page.

In patients’ own words

What patients who came in with back or neck pain said

Every review tagged back pain or neck pain, quoted whole. The tags come from the review text itself, so a patient appears here only because they wrote about it.

  • “Can’t recommend this place enough. I was having significant back pain and they were able to get me in as a new patient the same day I called. I saw Dr Noah and felt listened to and not rushed. He made a great plan for not only how to take care of my current pain, but for stretches and exercises I can do so my back is less prone to having issues in the future. I am doing much better now after only a couple visits!”
    Kathryne C.Google review · May 2026Read Kathryne C.’s review on Google
  • “Dr. Noah really helped me! I am a school bus driver and my back really gets beat. I was in a lot of pain and it was hard to move and even get up onto the bus. After just one visit I was feeling better. After just 3 visits I am feeling like my self again. Amazing staff, pleasant and comfortable surroundings. Definitely recommend Westside Chiropractic!”
    Sharon G.Google review · March 2026Read Sharon G.’s review on Google
  • “Dr. Rebecca Deyo is very kind, very knowledgeable and helpful. I’m impressed with her knowledge, skills and professionalism. I felt instant improvement as I had bad back pain, neck pain, etc.for a long time. I felt more movement throughout yesterday and it made me feel hopeful to reach my physical and fitness goals soon rather than feeling stuck. I will be returning and recommending Dr. Rebecca Deyo to friends and family. I highly recommend Westside Chiropractic.”
    A. T.Google review · February 2026Read A. T.’s review on Google
  • “So grateful to have found a chiropractor that is professional, knowledgeable, and caring. Dr. Steinhauer always helps my back issue improve. Highly recommend this office.”
    J K.Google review · November 2025Read J K.’s review on Google
  • “Really love coming here! Dr. John has helped me with so many issues like shoulder, back and neck. I work out a lot and he has been able to even help me work thru making changes in my workout to help me keep moving forward. Highly recommend. They take insurance Parking is super easy”
    Kat T.Google review · August 2025Read Kat T.’s review on Google
  • “Literally they are the best. I have been coming here for chiropractic care since the va recommended I needed it and I have notice awesome improvement! Great staff too I seriously love all of them! The massages have also helped tremendously with pain in my upper back that I was sure I was going to be living with every waking second of my life. I always reccomend this business for anyone who needs chiropractic or massages. They take their time with and make you feel like THEIR patient. Not just a time slot! 1,000/1,000 recommend!”
    Megan H.Google review · May 2025Read Megan H.’s review on Google
  • “Had my first initial appointment today and Dr. John Deyo has already relieved so much stiffness in my back. He was thorough in describing my problem areas and genuinely listened to my lower back issues. I am really impressed and look forward to my continued care. Highly recommend.”
    Erin B.Google review · March 2025Read Erin B.’s review on Google
  • “Doctor Noah is very attentive and is very patient to hear you on what's going on with your health. He took the time to consult with me about any vehicle accidents, falls or what is causing my pain. He is very knowledgeable and wants the best care he can provide. After my adjustment at Westside Chiropractic the throbbing of my lower back that went to my hip like sciatic pain is so much better I could sleep without having to keep turning. The tension between my shoulders blades and in my back are gone after the adjustment. I had been looking for a place like Westside Chiropractic and I'm glad and satisfied I did. For caring help and great pain results I sincerely recommend Westside Chiropractic. Thank you.”
    Angelica J.Google review · February 2025Read Angelica J.’s review on Google
  • “Dr John is a miracle worker! I could hardly walk into his office about 3 weeks ago, and after just one adjustment, I was walking straight and with less pain. I went from a pain level of 10 down to maybe a 2. I can't say enough good things about him! If you want relief, give them a call!”
    Janice S.Google review · February 2025Read Janice S.’s review on Google
  • “I needed to find a chiropractor close to my home and booked an appointment with Westside Chiropractic. I was desperate for help to relieve neck and back pain, muscle spasms, and shoulder tendinitis. At my first appointment, Dr. John was extremely thorough and informative and listened to everything I was experiencing. After my second appointment, I went to my car and almost cried because of the pain relief I already experienced. I could move my neck without feeling severe tension and pain. My back pain lessened. The pain in my shoulders lessened. This was only after two appointments. I'm so grateful I found Westside Chiropractic and Dr. John.”
    Susan R.Google review · January 2025Read Susan R.’s review on Google
  • “Highly recommend getting a massage from Rich! He’s both knowledgeable and thoughtful, truly honed in on his craft of providing a relaxing massage. After his massage I noticed that I had full range of motion restored to my neck and the tension in my body had faded away. If you’re looking to treat yourself to a wonderful massage by a wonderful human then definitely book with Rich!”
    Maria S.Google review · December 2024Read Maria S.’s review on Google
  • “So glad I found this place. They were able to accommodate me through my pregnancy with my back and hip pain. Definitely made a difference!”
    Darcie Y.Google review · December 2024Read Darcie Y.’s review on Google
  • “I came here for my first-ever chiropractor visit. I was used to massages regularly but I was still in A LOT of pain in my neck, shoulders, and hips to where it was really affecting my daily life. I'm a dental hygienist, long distance runner, and have birthed twins (plus a single child). The 3 things together did a number on my body. I pushed off the pain for way too long thinking maybe I was just getting old or working my body too hard. I'm so grateful for Dr. Rebecca. I didn't tell her that I was really nervous but she was very thorough and explained in detail everything she was going to do and what was contributing to my issues and explained why - I knew exactly what to expect before she adjusted each area. She put me at ease with her willingness to explain the process as we went along and her bubbly personality. I'm really grateful to have had her for my first visit. I then followed up with Dr. Noah for my recall visits and he did a great job too! I felt better after my first visit but was still in pain. After my second visit with Dr. Noah, I drastically started feeling much better. I was warned at my first visit that there's a good chance I might feel more sore before I felt better. Dr. Noah gave me some recommendations on things I could work on at home and explained in detail why it would be helpful. I wish I found this team sooner! I highly recommend them. I physically feel like a new person! Thank you 🥰”
    Elyssa H.Google review · April 2024Read Elyssa H.’s review on Google
  • “Awesome service everytime! Really pays attention to your body and what needs to be adjusted. Rebecca has been a life saver for my back many times and will always have my business!”
    Scott C.Google review · April 2024Read Scott C.’s review on Google
  • “Wife turned me on to Dr Rebecca 6 months ago after great results for an additional 6 months. She has helped me with range of motion and generally less pain in my back neck and hips, and now dealing with a sciatic issue. First time service from associate Dr Noah today, and I was equally impressed with his knowledge and manipulation. Won't hesitate to return to either in the near future. Very impressed with their documentation and records keeping of patients issues and ongoing treatment, which is kind of rare we found these days with providers.”
    Mike G.Google review · February 2024Read Mike G.’s review on Google
  • “Dr Deyo is always able to help me when my neck /back need adjusting! I appreciate that she sent me to PT last year so I learned how to keep my low back strong, which means I don’t need as many adjustments. She cares about helping people stay healthy and not just repeat business.”
    Jodie P.Google review · January 2024Read Jodie P.’s review on Google
  • “Dr. Noah has significantly relieved my back pain, over just a few appointments. My shoulder and neck are improving daily. Also, he has educated me with stretches I can do at home/on my own, between appointments, to maintain the progress.”
    Anne P.Google review · December 2023Read Anne P.’s review on Google
  • “Dr. Rebecca is simply the BEST! I always leave feeling better than I came in. She's professional, educated, and really includes the patient in on their care. Do your spine a favor and book an appointment! You will love her positive energy and big heart!”
    Stevie W.Google review · May 2023Read Stevie W.’s review on Google
  • “I’m a newer patient but Dr.Rebecca is absolutely wonderful! She has been so helpful and informative with my back and by far the best chiropractic in the area! So thankful for this place!!”
    Olivia H.Google review · April 2023Read Olivia H.’s review on Google
  • “Dr. Deyo is the single most thorough, patient, and knowledgeable medical professional I have ever had the privilege of receiving care from. Her ability to break down complex issues into a comprehensive treatment plan is top notch. My neck, wrist, and lower back all feel like they took a trip back to 1998. Thank you Dr. Rebecca Deyo!!”
    Che A.Google review · March 2023Read Che A.’s review on Google
  • “Dr Dayo went above and beyond to help me with a painful back issue. She was very thorough in her examination and explained the issue very clearly as well and formulated a plan for my recovery. I left her office feeling relief and encouragement over my back issues!!”
    Jamie B.Google review · February 2023Read Jamie B.’s review on Google
  • “Dr. Rebecca Deyo got rid of my post COVID neck pain, so thankful for her! She is very knowledgeable.”
    Hannah S.Google review · January 2023Read Hannah S.’s review on Google
More reviews about back painMore reviews about neck painRead all reviews

Worth knowing

When to get urgent help

Almost all back and neck pain is not dangerous. These are the exceptions worth knowing.

Now — emergency department, or call 911

  • New back pain with any of these: trouble starting to pee, or not feeling the flow; numbness around the genitals, the back passage or the area you sit on; new weakness or numbness in both legs; or new bowel or sexual changes. This is cauda equina syndrome, and it needs emergency diagnosis and surgery to prevent permanent damage.[14, 15]
  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg on one side; sudden confusion or trouble speaking; sudden trouble seeing or walking; or a sudden severe headache with no known cause. Call 911 — every minute counts.[16]

Soon — get it looked at properly

  • Numb or clumsy hands together with unsteadiness on your feet, dropping things, frequent falls or bladder changes — especially over 50. That points at pressure on the spinal cord rather than a simple neck problem, and it is commonly missed for years.[17]
  • Back pain after a significant injury, or in someone on steroids or immune-suppressing medicines; with a history of cancer or unexplained weight loss; or pain that is there at night and at rest rather than with movement.[18]

These are prompts to look more carefully, not a checklist to diagnose yourself with. Having one does not mean something is seriously wrong — it means it is worth someone checking.[18]

The 18 sources this page cites

Every numbered claim on this page is tied to one of these, and every link goes to the source itself so you can read it rather than take our word for it.

  1. 1.Hartvigsen J, Hancock MJ, Kongsted A, et al.; Lancet Low Back Pain Series Working Group. What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention. Lancet. 2018;391(10137):2356-2367. DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30480-X. PMID 29573870. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2.Cohen SP. Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of neck pain. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015;90(2):284-299. DOI 10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.09.008. PMID 25659245. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3.Wallwork SB, Braithwaite FA, O’Keeffe M, et al. The clinical course of acute, subacute and persistent low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. CMAJ. 2024;196(2):E29-E46. DOI 10.1503/cmaj.230542. PMID 38253366. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4.Foster NE, Anema JR, Cherkin D, et al.; Lancet Low Back Pain Series Working Group. Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions. Lancet. 2018;391(10137):2368-2383. DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30489-6. PMID 29573872. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5.National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management. NICE guideline NG59. Published 30 November 2016; last updated 29 July 2026. nice.org.uk
  6. 6.Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, Forciea MA; Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(7):514-530. DOI 10.7326/M16-2367. PMID 28192789. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. 7.Hayden JA, Ellis J, Ogilvie R, Malmivaara A, van Tulder MW. Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;9(9):CD009790. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD009790.pub2. PMID 34580864. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  8. 8.Gross A, Kay TM, Paquin JP, et al. Exercises for mechanical neck disorders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;1(1):CD004250. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD004250.pub5. PMID 25629215. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  9. 9.Chou R, Fu R, Carrino JA, Deyo RA. Imaging strategies for low-back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2009;373(9662):463-472. DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60172-0. PMID 19200918. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  10. 10.Jenkins HJ, Downie AS, Moore CS, French SD. Current evidence for spinal X-ray use in the chiropractic profession: a narrative review. Chiropr Man Therap. 2018;26:48. DOI 10.1186/s12998-018-0217-8. PMID 30479744. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  11. 11.Gross A, Langevin P, Burnie SJ, et al. Manipulation and mobilisation for neck pain contrasted against an inactive control or another active treatment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(9):CD004249. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD004249.pub4. PMID 26397370. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  12. 12.Haynes MJ, Vincent K, Fischhoff C, Bremner AP, Lanlo O, Hankey GJ. Assessing the risk of stroke from neck manipulation: a systematic review. Int J Clin Pract. 2012;66(10):940-947. DOI 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2012.03004.x. PMID 22994328. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  13. 13.Cassidy JD, Boyle E, Côté P, et al. Risk of vertebrobasilar stroke and chiropractic care: results of a population-based case-control and case-crossover study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2008;33(4 Suppl):S176-S183. DOI 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181644600. PMID 18204390. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  14. 14.Buell KG, Sivasubramaniyam S, Sykes M, Zafar K, Bingham L, Mitra A. Expediting the management of cauda equina syndrome in the emergency department through clinical pathway design. BMJ Open Qual. 2019;8(4):e000597. DOI 10.1136/bmjoq-2018-000597. PMID 31799444. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  15. 15.Conte A, Lingham A, Nagulendran S, et al. Improving the suspected cauda equina syndrome pathway at a district general hospital: a quality improvement project. BMJ Open Qual. 2025;14(2):e003081. DOI 10.1136/bmjoq-2024-003081. PMID 40441733. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  16. 16.MedlinePlus. Stroke | CVA | Cerebrovascular Accident. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine. Last updated 28 July 2025. medlineplus.gov
  17. 17.Davies BM, Mowforth OD, Smith EK, Kotter MRN. Degenerative cervical myelopathy. BMJ. 2018;360:k186. DOI 10.1136/bmj.k186. PMID 29472200. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  18. 18.Verhagen AP, Downie A, Popal N, Maher C, Koes BW. Red flags presented in current low back pain guidelines: a review. Eur Spine J. 2016;25(9):2788-2802. DOI 10.1007/s00586-016-4684-0. PMID 27376890. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan, and nothing on it is a claim about what our care will do for your neck & back pain — read the full disclaimer.

The rest of the list

The other conditions on our list

Pages to read next. We are not saying any of them is connected to neck & back pain.

Ask first

Tell us what is going on

If you can’t find a time that works, text us at (616) 747-8462 and we’ll do our best to fit you in. If what you describe is not ours to treat, we will say so and point you somewhere it is.

Somewhere it is — the physical therapists, pelvic floor therapists, counsellors, OB/GYNs and pain clinics we point people to.

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