Low Back Pain in Fredericton: What’s Causing It and How We Treat It
If your lower back has been giving you trouble — whether it started after lifting something, crept in from years of sitting, or just showed up one morning with no obvious explanation — you are dealing with one of the most common health problems in the world.
At Fredericton Family Chiropractic, Dr. Scott Brayall and the team treat low back pain every day. It is the single most common reason patients walk through our door. The good news is that most low back pain is mechanical — meaning it involves the joints, muscles, discs, or ligaments of the spine rather than something more serious — and it responds well to the right care.
This guide covers what is behind most low back pain, how we approach treatment, and what you can do to start feeling better. For more specific topics, explore our in-depth guides linked below.
Why Low Back Pain Is So Common
Research shows that roughly 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point. In clinical terms, 85-90% of those cases are classified as “non-specific” — meaning the pain involves the structures of the lower back but no single tissue can be identified as the exact source. While the name sounds vague, the condition is well understood, very treatable, and does not mean your spine is damaged.
In Fredericton, we see low back pain develop from a few common patterns:
Desk and office work — Government employees, remote workers, and professionals who sit for long stretches develop gradual lower back stiffness and pain. Prolonged sitting increases pressure on the discs and muscles of the lumbar spine.
Trades and physical labour — Frequent bending, twisting, and lifting — common in construction and trades across Fredericton — can gradually overload the structures of the lower back.
Student life — Students at UNB and STU spend long hours sitting in lectures, studying, and working on laptops. Over time, this takes a toll on the lower back.
Military service — Veterans and active personnel from CFB Gagetown carry heavy packs, wear body armour, and push through demanding physical training. The cumulative load on the spine often leads to chronic low back issues.
Motor vehicle accidents — Even a low-speed collision can cause acute lower back injuries. Symptoms may not appear for days after the accident. If you have been in an accident, early assessment matters.
Poor movement patterns — Lifting incorrectly, weak core muscles, and slouching all increase strain on the spine over time. Often, several of these factors occur together.
Understanding Your Lower Back — What Is Going On
Your lumbar spine is built to carry load and absorb impact. It is made up of five vertebrae, separated by intervertebral discs that act as shock absorbers, with small facet joints at the back guiding motion. Muscles and ligaments stabilize the whole structure.
Here is why that matters when something goes wrong:
Facet joint irritation is one of the most common causes of low back pain we treat. When these small joints become stiff or inflamed — from sitting too long, repetitive strain, or poor movement patterns — they create localized pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. This is a key area where chiropractic adjustments are most effective.
Disc problems can develop when the outer ring of a disc weakens and the softer material inside pushes outward. This can cause local pain or, if it contacts a nerve, pain that radiates into the buttock or leg. Read our guide to disc bulges and herniations for more detail.
Muscle strain and ligament sprain are among the most frequent triggers of acute low back pain. Lifting something heavy, a sudden twist, or even a motor vehicle accident can strain these tissues and cause significant pain that usually resolves well with the right care.
Nerve irritation — when disc material or joint swelling presses on a nerve root — can cause pain, numbness, or tingling that travels down the leg. This is commonly called sciatica and may require a different approach to treatment.
Symptoms — What Does Low Back Pain Feel Like?
Most patients describe a dull or aching pain in the lower back that gets worse with certain movements — bending, lifting, twisting, or sitting too long. Morning stiffness is common. So is muscle tightness through the back and hips.
In most cases, the pain stays in the lower back and may spread into the buttocks or upper thigh. If the pain travels below the knee, involves tingling or numbness, or comes with weakness in the leg, that may indicate nerve involvement and should be assessed promptly.
How We Treat Low Back Pain at Fredericton Family Chiropractic
Our approach starts with a thorough assessment. Dr. Brayall evaluates your posture, range of motion, joint function, and neurological status to determine exactly what is driving your pain — not just where it hurts, but why.
From there, treatment is tailored to your specific situation and may include:
Chiropractic adjustments — Restoring normal motion to stiff lumbar and pelvic joints. This is the most effective treatment for mechanical low back pain and is recommended as a first-line treatment by major clinical guidelines including the American College of Physicians and The Lancet (Qaseem et al., 2017; Hartvigsen et al., 2018).
Soft tissue therapy — Manual release of tight muscles, trigger points, and fascial restrictions in the lower back, hips, and glutes.
Instrument-assisted techniques — Dr. Brayall uses the Activator and Arthrostim for patients who prefer a gentler approach or when specific precision is needed.
Movement and exercise — Gentle movement is one of the most important parts of recovery. Walking, mobility exercises, and gradual return to normal activity are always part of the plan.
Strength and stability training — Targeted exercises for the core, hips, and lower back to reduce strain on spinal joints, improve posture, and lower the risk of recurrence.
Postural assessment and coaching — Because prolonged sitting and poor movement habits are often the primary drivers of low back pain, we look at your daily patterns and help you make practical changes.
Massage therapy — Our registered massage therapists work alongside the chiropractic team to address chronic muscle tension and support your treatment plan.
Most patients experience meaningful improvement within 4-6 visits. Research consistently shows that staying active and getting early treatment leads to better outcomes than prolonged rest (Bronfort et al., 2010; Maher et al., 2017).
Do You Need Imaging?
Many patients assume they need an X-ray or MRI before treatment can start. In most cases, imaging is not necessary — and research shows it rarely changes the treatment plan.
Studies have found that many people with no back pain at all show disc bulges, degeneration, and arthritis on imaging. These changes are often a normal part of aging and may not be related to your pain. Most clinical guidelines recommend against routine imaging unless serious conditions such as fracture, infection, or nerve damage are suspected.
Dr. Brayall can help determine whether imaging is appropriate during your initial assessment.
Explore Our Low Back Pain Guides
We have created detailed guides for specific low back pain topics:
- Disc Bulges and Herniations — What they are, when they matter, and how they are treated
- Sciatica and Nerve Pain — Our complete guide to sciatica causes, diagnosis, and treatment
More topics coming soon, including chronic low back pain, exercise for recovery, and workplace ergonomics. Contact us if you have questions about any of these topics.
Related Resources
- Neck Pain Relief in Fredericton
- Mid Back Pain Treatment in Fredericton
- Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Injury Care
- DVA Chiropractic Benefits for Veterans
- Massage Therapy at Fredericton Family Chiropractic
- See All Conditions We Treat in Fredericton
Book Your Low Back Pain Assessment
If low back pain is affecting your daily life, do not wait for it to get worse. Early assessment gives you the best chance at a full recovery.
Contact us today or call (506) 472-7000 to schedule your assessment.
We serve patients in Fredericton, Oromocto, New Maryland, and surrounding communities. New patients are always welcome.
Evidence and Sources
Bronfort G, et al. Effectiveness of Manual Therapies: The UK Evidence Report. Chiropractic and Osteopathy. 2010.
Deyo RA, Weinstein JN. Low Back Pain. New England Journal of Medicine. 2001.
Hartvigsen J, Hancock MJ, Kongsted A, et al. What Low Back Pain Is and Why We Need to Pay Attention. The Lancet. 2018.
Maher C, Underwood M, Buchbinder R. Non-Specific Low Back Pain. The Lancet. 2017.
Qaseem A, et al. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2017.
World Health Organization. Low Back Pain Global Burden Report.