Back Pain Relief in Hillside

Fast, Effective Relief

Back pain can stop you in your tracks—making simple tasks like bending over, getting out of bed, or sitting at your desk feel impossible. At Celar Chiropractic, Dr. Mike Kochanski and Dr. Dana Celar understand how frustrating and limiting back pain can be, and they’re here to help.

Chiropractic care for low back pain has long been recognized as an effective, drug-free conservative treatment. Whether you’re dealing with acute pain from a recent injury, chronic discomfort that’s been bothering you for months or years, or repetitive strain from your daily activities, most cases respond beautifully to a short course of chiropractic care. Our patients usually recover with complete resolution of their pain—and many feel dramatically better after their very first visit.

Walk-ins welcome. Same-day appointments available. Most patients feel relief within their first couple of treatments!

Understanding Your Back Pain

Before Dr. Mike or Dr. Dana can fix your back pain, they need to understand exactly what’s causing it. That’s why your first visit always begins with listening—really listening—to your story. When did the pain start? What does it feel like? What makes it better or worse? These details matter because back pain can stem from several different sources, and the right treatment depends on accurate diagnosis.

Common causes of low back pain include spinal facet joint injuries (the small joints that connect your vertebrae), bulging or herniated discs, sacroiliac (SI) joint problems, muscle strains from trauma or overuse, and nerve impingement. Sometimes it’s a combination of factors. Dr. Mike and Dr. Dana are specially trained in diagnosing what’s causing your specific pain and developing a treatment plan tailored to address it.

During your examination, they’ll check how your spine moves, feel for areas of restriction or misalignment, and assess the surrounding muscles for tightness and trigger points. This hands-on approach allows them to pinpoint the problem with precision. As Dr. Mike often tells nervous first-time patients: “Listen, I know what’s going on. We have a solution for this. We’ve seen it a million times, and we can help you.”
NEW PATIENTS

Female patient receiving a back adjustment

What To Expect

Most Patients Feel Better Fast—Often After Their Very First Visit

Here’s the good news: most patients notice pain relief and improved mobility within their first couple of treatments. In many cases, our patients feel better immediately after their first visit—standing straighter, moving easier, and experiencing that satisfying release of tension. That immediate feedback is incredibly encouraging and builds confidence that you’re on the right path.

Full recovery typically takes 4-6 weeks for most back pain cases. During this time, you’ll come in more frequently at first (usually 2-3 times per week), then gradually space out your visits as your spine stabilizes and your pain decreases. You’ll be able to track your progress not just by how you feel, but by measurable improvements in your range of motion and daily activities.

More serious cases—such as injuries from car accidents or herniated discs—may take longer to heal completely. These conditions involve more significant tissue damage and require patience as your body repairs itself. Dr. Mike and Dr. Dana will always be upfront with you about realistic expectations for your specific situation. If you’re not seeing the improvement we expect within 4 weeks of active care, we’ll refer you for additional imaging or an orthopedic consultation to make sure we’re not missing anything.

The process is straightforward: you’ll come in, receive your adjustment and stretching (typically spending about 10 minutes with your doctor), get guidance on at-home care, and gradually feel better. Most patients are amazed at how much relief they get from conservative, drug-free treatment. No medications to take. No side effects to worry about. Just your body healing the way it was designed to.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly will my back pain improve?

Most patients notice significant relief within their first couple of treatments, and many feel better immediately after their first adjustment. Full recovery typically takes 4-6 weeks for most cases, though more serious injuries like herniated discs or car accident trauma may take longer. We’ll give you realistic expectations based on your specific condition.

What if I’ve had back pain for years?

Chronic back pain still responds well to chiropractic care, even if you’ve been suffering for a long time. It may take a bit longer to retrain your spine and break the pain cycle, but most chronic cases improve significantly with consistent treatment. Many of our long-term back pain patients wish they’d come to see us years earlier.

Can you help with sciatica?

Absolutely. Sciatica is one of our specialties. When back problems irritate the sciatic nerve, pain can radiate down through your buttocks and leg. We use specific adjustments, stretches, and McKenzie exercises to “centralize” the pain—gradually moving it up and out of your leg back into your lower back, where we can treat it effectively.

Do you take X-rays?

We refer to a professional radiology center just five minutes away when X-rays are needed. In many cases, patients respond beautifully to care without needing imaging. If Dr. Mike or Dr. Dana feel X-rays would be helpful to diagnose your condition or rule out something serious, they’ll send you for high-quality imaging and review the results with you.

What if chiropractic doesn’t help my back pain?

Dr. Dana and Dr. Mike are honest about what they can and can’t treat. If you’re not improving within 4 weeks of active care, they’ll refer you to an orthopedic specialist or order an MRI to investigate further. They’re not going to string you along if chiropractic isn’t the answer—they genuinely care about getting you better, even if that means referring you elsewhere.

Can I come in right away?

Yes! Walk-ins are always welcome at Celar Chiropractic. If you suddenly throw your back out and can barely move, don’t wait for an appointment—just come in during our office hours. We understand that acute back pain is an emergency, and we’ll get you in quickly to provide relief.

Will I need maintenance care?

That’s entirely up to you and your goals. Some patients choose to continue with periodic adjustments (monthly or every few weeks) to maintain optimal spinal health and prevent flare-ups. Others come back only if they have a problem. We’ll never pressure you into unnecessary care—we want you to make the best decision for your health and budget.

Schedule Your First Visit

Don’t let back pain control your life another day. Walk in to Celar Chiropractic anytime during our office hours, or call to schedule an appointment at your convenience. Dr. Mike and Dr. Dana look forward to helping you get back to the active, pain-free life you deserve.

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