Conditions

Chronic pain

Pain that lasts well beyond normal healing can change daily life, sleep, mood, and confidence in movement. NCCIH describes chronic pain as pain that lasts more than several months, usually defined as 3 to 6 months or longer than normal healing takes. In 2019, about one in five U.S. adults (20.4%) had chronic pain (NCCIH, January 2023).

We look at how the nervous system may be contributing to your pain, along with joints, muscles, and movement, not just the symptoms themselves. This page covers the pain conditions we see most often and what we can say about each. It is general information, not a diagnosis.

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When pain needs urgent care

Call 911 or go to an emergency department for pain after a severe injury, sudden numbness or weakness, or loss of bowel or bladder control. Mayo Clinic lists the last three as emergency signs for sciatica (Mayo Clinic, December 2025). New, severe, or worsening pain should also be checked by your medical doctor.

Fibromyalgia

Mayo Clinic describes fibromyalgia as a widespread, constant dull ache lasting at least three months, on both sides of the body, along with fatigue, sleep problems, and trouble with attention and focus sometimes called "fibro fog." It says nerves may change how the brain and spinal cord process pain signals. Fibromyalgia often occurs alongside irritable bowel syndrome, headaches and migraines, TMJ disorders, anxiety, and POTS (Mayo Clinic, April 2025).

NCCIH lists acupuncture, massage, mindfulness, biofeedback, and relaxation therapies among the approaches people use for fibromyalgia pain (NCCIH, January 2023).

Sciatica

Mayo Clinic defines sciatica as pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. It usually stems from pressure on the spinal nerve roots that feed that nerve. Pain often runs from the low back through the buttock and down the back of the thigh and calf, usually on one side, and can come with numbness, tingling, or leg weakness. The most common causes are a herniated disk or bone spurs. Mild cases often improve over time. See a doctor if self-care does not help, or if pain lasts over a week, is severe, or worsens (Mayo Clinic, December 2025).

Finding what is irritating the nerve is a useful first step.

Low back pain

NCCIH notes that spinal manipulation was included as an option for acute and chronic low-back pain in a 2017 American College of Physicians guideline. It also reports that yoga, tai chi, and some mind-body approaches such as mindfulness-based stress reduction and relaxation may help low-back pain, with small to moderate effects (NCCIH, January 2023). Chronic low back pain is often complex, and the nervous system, muscles, and connective tissue can all play a part.

Knee pain and hip pain

Knee and hip pain can come from joints, muscles, tendons, nerves, or the way you move. A medical evaluation helps identify structural causes, such as a meniscus or ligament injury, that need their own care. The knee is closely tied to hip stability and motor control, and hip pain can involve muscles, connective tissue, joint alignment, or nerve irritation. We look beyond the joint itself at what may be contributing. Our Myofascial Release page explains that part of our care.

Frozen shoulder

Mayo Clinic describes frozen shoulder as stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint, as the connective tissue around the joint thickens and tightens. It develops slowly in three stages (freezing, frozen, and thawing) and usually improves over one to three years. The exact cause is unclear. Keeping a shoulder still for a long time raises the risk, and so do diabetes, thyroid problems, cardiovascular disease, and Parkinson's disease. If an injury makes it hard to move your shoulder, Mayo advises talking with a healthcare professional so you can learn range-of-motion exercises (Mayo Clinic, May 2026).

We look at how movement patterns and the nervous system's protective responses may be contributing, alongside medical care.

TMJ: jaw pain and clicking, and related head, face, and neck symptoms.

Neuropathy & Nerve Pain: tingling, numbness, and radiating nerve pain.

Spinal Injury: neck pain, herniated disc, and whiplash.

Migraine & Headache: headaches that come with neck and jaw pain.

How we look at chronic pain at Strong Tower

Dr. Wright is a Doctor of Chiropractic with advanced training in functional neurology. Your evaluation looks at how your nervous system, movement, and posture are working, along with your history. Care may include chiropractic care, myofascial work, and exercises. We see it as complementary to your medical care, not a replacement.

Questions people ask

What counts as chronic pain?

NCCIH describes it as pain lasting more than several months, usually 3 to 6 months or more.

Can the nervous system cause or keep pain going?

Researchers believe so. Mayo Clinic says fibromyalgia may involve changes in how the brain and spinal cord process pain signals. Pain is complex, and many things can contribute.

Does chiropractic care help chronic pain?

NCCIH lists spinal manipulation as an option for low-back pain and for chronic neck pain. Results vary from person to person, and it is not right for every condition.

Do I need a referral?

You can book a consult online or call the office. If you have records or imaging from other providers, bring them.

When should I see a doctor?

If pain is severe, new, getting worse, or comes with numbness, weakness, fever, or changes in bowel or bladder control, see a medical provider promptly.