Lifting, twisting, a long day at a desk or a weekend of yard work are common moments when it starts. Pain can also sit higher, between the shoulder blades or in the middle of the back; Dr. LeGault sees upper and mid-back pain too, although the research on this page is about low back pain.
What we help with
Chiropractic care for back pain
In 2017 the American College of Physicians recommended starting low back pain care with non-drug treatment such as spinal manipulation, and the World Health Organization’s 2023 guideline lists manipulation among the treatments that may be offered for chronic low back pain. At our Ross Township office, just off McKnight Road, Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC pairs adjustments with exercise and clear advice.
What usually causes back pain?
New low back pain most often comes from a sudden strain of the muscles and ligaments that support the back, and most people with a new episode get better over time.
When should I see a doctor or go to the ER first?
Go to the emergency room first if back pain comes with numbness around the genitals or bottom, new bladder or bowel problems, or leg weakness that is severe or getting worse.
MedlinePlus also advises checking with a provider if you have lost weight without trying, take steroids, have an episode that feels different from and worse than past back pain, or have had this episode for longer than four weeks.
Back pain together with pain that travels down the leg (sciatica) has its own guidance and its own warning signs.
How does Dr. LeGault care for back pain?
Back pain care here pairs hands-on spinal adjustments with exercise and plain explanations, so an adjustment is always one part of a broader plan.
Dr. LeGault gives spinal adjustments in three ways, chosen with you:
- Diversified is adjusting by hand: Dr. LeGault gives the adjustment with his hands.
- The Thompson drop table is an adjusting table with sections that drop a short distance as the adjustment is given.
- Instrument adjusting (ArthroStim) uses a hand-held instrument in place of the hands. The trials summarized below studied adjustments by hand, so their findings do not carry over to the instrument.
Exercise is part of the plan from the start. Dr. LeGault shows you each exercise in the office and gives you a home exercise program in the Physitrack app or on printed handouts, then progresses it over your visits.
What does the research say about chiropractic care for low back pain?
Guidelines include spinal manipulation among the non-drug options for low back pain, and reviews find modest, short-term improvements in pain and function.
Put simply: the benefits in these studies were modest and short-term, they came from adjustments by hand given within a broader plan, and none of the studies looked at upper or mid-back pain.
What happens at a back-pain visit?
Dr. LeGault explains what he finds and what he suggests in plain words, and the plan fits around your goals.
The first visit starts with a detailed health history and a talk about your back pain, then a physical examination, with orthopedic and neurological testing if appropriate. If chiropractic care is appropriate, treatment may begin the same day.
X-rays are taken only when clinically appropriate, and they are done off-site. No referral is needed, and there are no long-term contracts.
For booking, paperwork and what to bring, see what happens at your first visit.
Is chiropractic care for back pain safe?
Serious complications after spinal manipulation are rare, while mild, short-lived reactions such as soreness or stiffness are common.
No treatment is free of risk, so tell Dr. LeGault about any new or changing symptoms between visits.
When can I see Dr. LeGault, and do you take my insurance?
Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC sees back-pain patients on the days below, and we accept the plans listed; coverage depends on your plan.
| Day | Dr. LeGault |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | not stated |
| Friday | not stated |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
- UPMC
- Highmark
- Aetna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans
- Medicare (participating provider)
- Pennsylvania auto insurance (first-party medical benefits (PIP), billed directly)
- Workers’ compensation
Coverage depends on your plan.
We can verify and check your benefits before your first visit, or you can check with your insurer directly. Not using insurance? Self-pay options are available; call 412-364-4100 to ask.
Questions, answered
How many visits will I need?
There is no set number. Dr. LeGault suggests a plan based on what he finds and on your goals, and he reviews your progress with you as you go. We do not use long-term contracts.
Will I need an X-ray or MRI for back pain?
Usually not. Guidelines advise against routine imaging for low back pain. Here, X-rays are taken only when clinically appropriate, at an off-site facility.
Is it normal to feel sore after an adjustment?
Yes, it can be. Temporary soreness or stiffness is common after spinal manipulation and usually settles within about a day. If you notice any of the warning signs listed on this page, get medical care first.
Do you see upper and mid-back pain?
Yes. Dr. LeGault sees pain between the shoulder blades and in the middle of the back as well as low back pain. The studies quoted on this page looked at low back pain only, so we do not apply their findings to the mid-back.
Do I need a referral?
No. The practice does not require a referral; some insurance plans may require one for coverage, so check your plan.
You will find more answers in our FAQ.
Dr. Steven K. LeGault sees patients on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdayeach doctor's hoursinsurance plans we acceptcoverage depends on your planJust off McKnight Road, on-site parking
Who treats this
- Dr. LeGault (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday)
References
Common causes and usual recovery of new low back pain, and the symptoms that mean contacting a provider right away.
The signs that need emergency care at once (UK numbers adapted to 911 and the emergency room).
Rule out specific causes such as cancer, infection, trauma or inflammatory disease; do not routinely offer imaging.
Start with non-drug treatment; spinal manipulation named among the options (low-quality evidence). ACP now lists this 2017 guideline as inactive.
Spinal manipulative therapy, structured exercise and education may be offered within a broader plan (conditional recommendations, very low to low certainty).
Modest improvements in pain and function for up to six weeks (moderate-quality evidence); no serious side effects in the trials.
76 trials: may ease pain and improve function at one month; similar to other conservative care for pain (low to very low certainty).
Mild, short-lived reactions are common and serious complications are rare; a careful history and examination come first.