What causes low back pain, and can a chiropractor in Sioux Falls help?

Low back pain can stem from many sources, including spinal misalignment, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and spinal stenosis. At Back Specialists – Sioux Falls Chiropractor, our chiropractor is trained to identify and treat these specific conditions. By correcting spinal alignment issues and addressing muscle imbalances, chiropractic care offers natural, drug-free relief for many patients dealing with low back pain.

What chiropractic techniques are used to treat low back pain?

Our Sioux Falls chiropractor uses a combination of evidence-based techniques tailored to your individual needs. These include spinal manipulation — a gentle adjustment that relieves pain and restores function — massage therapy to relax muscles and reduce inflammation, and targeted exercises to strengthen the muscles that support your spine and improve flexibility. Every treatment plan is customized based on your condition and goals.

How long does it take to get relief from low back pain with chiropractic care?

Results vary depending on the severity and underlying cause of your low back pain. Many patients experience noticeable relief after just a few visits, while others with more chronic conditions may require a longer course of care. At Back Specialists – Sioux Falls Chiropractor, we conduct a thorough evaluation and develop a treatment plan designed to get you out of pain as efficiently as possible and help prevent future episodes.

Is chiropractic care for low back pain safe?

Yes. Chiropractic care is widely recognized as a safe and effective treatment for low back pain. It is a non-invasive, drug-free approach that focuses on the root cause of your pain rather than simply masking symptoms. Our chiropractor will review your health history before beginning any treatment to ensure chiropractic adjustments are appropriate for your situation.

Can a Sioux Falls chiropractor help with low back pain caused by sciatica or scoliosis?

Absolutely. In addition to common causes of low back pain, our chiropractor also treats related conditions such as sciatica and scoliosis. Sciatica — pain that radiates from the lower back down the leg — often responds well to spinal adjustments and targeted soft tissue work. If you're unsure whether chiropractic care is right for your specific condition, we encourage you to schedule a consultation so we can evaluate your needs.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Chiropractor in Sioux Falls

Still in Pain After Back Surgery? You're Not Alone.

If you've undergone spinal surgery and are still dealing with persistent pain, you may be experiencing what is medically known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome — or FBSS. It's more common than most people realize. Research indicates that approximately 20% to 40% of lumbar surgeries may lead to FBSS, where patients continue to experience pain after the procedure. For many patients, the surgery intended to bring relief instead leaves them searching for answers.

At Back Specialists in Sioux Falls, we understand how frustrating and discouraging that experience can be. Dr. Bruce Jon Hagen has spent nearly five decades treating complex spinal cases — including patients who have been through surgery and are still suffering. If you've been told there's nothing more that can be done, chiropractic care may offer the natural, non-invasive relief you've been looking for.

What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), also known as post-laminectomy syndrome, is a complex condition characterized by persistent pain following one or more spinal surgeries. Despite the name, FBSS doesn't necessarily mean your surgeon made a mistake. Rather, it represents a situation where the intended outcome of pain relief and improved function is not achieved.

The condition most commonly involves the lumbar spine — the lower back — and can produce pain that is equal to or worse than what existed before surgery.

Common Causes of FBSS

There are several reasons why spinal surgery may not fully resolve a patient's pain. Multiple factors can contribute to the development of FBSS, including recurrent spinal disc herniation, persistent post-operative pressure on a spinal nerve, altered joint mobility, and scar tissue formation (fibrosis).

Additional contributing factors can include:

Incomplete removal of the original pain source
Spinal instability following surgery
Degeneration of adjacent spinal segments
Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or autoimmune disease
Failed spinal fusion (pseudoarthrosis)

Symptoms of FBSS

Common symptoms associated with FBSS include dull and aching pain involving the back and/or legs, which may include sharp, pricking, and stabbing pain in the extremities.

Patients may also experience:

Ongoing lower back pain at the surgical site
Radiating pain, numbness, or tingling down the legs
Reduced mobility and stiffness
Muscle weakness in the legs
Difficulty standing, walking, or sitting for extended periods

Why More Surgery Is Often Not the Answer

Patients who had surgery between 1990 and 1993 reported a 19% cumulative incidence of reoperation during the subsequent 11 years, and surgery is not a recommended treatment for FBSS according to research in the medical literature. Repeat procedures carry increasing risk and often deliver diminishing returns. For most FBSS patients, the most effective path forward involves conservative, non-surgical care — and that's exactly what chiropractic offers.

How Chiropractic Care Helps FBSS Patients

Chiropractic care is one of the most well-established conservative treatment options for patients dealing with post-surgical spinal pain. Chiropractic care administered by a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic is a beneficial, cost-effective, and non-invasive treatment option for those suffering from failed back surgery syndrome. Chiropractic care is suggested to be included as part of a treatment plan in the early phase to increase success rates and help reduce chronic low back pain resulting from failed back surgery syndrome.

At Back Specialists, Dr. Hagen practices exclusively with the Activator Method — a precise, low-force, instrument-assisted technique that is especially well-suited for post-surgical patients. Unlike manual high-velocity adjustments, the Activator delivers targeted, gentle corrections to misaligned vertebrae without placing additional stress on surgically altered spinal structures. This makes it one of the safest and most appropriate chiropractic techniques available for FBSS patients.

What Chiropractic Care Can Do for FBSS

For patients suffering from failed back surgery syndrome, chiropractic treatment aims at increasing mobility and functionality. The technique helps reduce irritable nerves while restoring movement and functionality in the low back region.

Specifically, chiropractic care can help FBSS patients by:

Reducing nerve irritation and pressure caused by post-surgical misalignment
Restoring proper joint mechanics in the lumbar spine
Decreasing muscle tension and spasm around the surgical site
Improving range of motion and functional mobility
Reducing dependence on pain medications
Supporting the body's natural healing process without additional intervention

A Proven Approach for Complex Cases

A retrospective case report describing chiropractic management of a patient with failed back surgery syndrome — a 45-year-old woman presenting two years after L4-L5 and L5-S1 fusion surgery with low back and sciatic pain — found that over the course of treatment, the patient noted gradual improvement in function and pain, with a reduction in pain medications.

This type of outcome is consistent with what Dr. Hagen sees in his own practice when working with post-surgical patients.

Dr. Hagen's Expertise in Complex Spinal Cases

Not every chiropractor is equipped to treat FBSS patients. It requires a thorough understanding of spinal anatomy, surgical history, and the ability to adapt treatment to a spine that has been structurally altered.

Dr. Bruce Jon Hagen brings exceptional qualifications to this area of care:

Nearly 50 years of chiropractic experience in Sioux Falls
Advanced Proficiency Rated Activator chiropractor — one of only 5 in the Sioux Empire
Extensive post-graduate training in personal injury, cervical trauma, whiplash, and accident reconstruction
Graduate of Whiplash: The Masters' Program — Spine Research Institute of San Diego
1,700+ hours of post-graduate X-ray interpretation, diagnosis, and placement
Certified in AMA Impairment Rating — 4th, 5th, and 6th Editions
Named South Dakota Chiropractor of the Year by his peers

Dr. Hagen has a particular passion for patients with complicated and traumatic spinal histories — exactly the kind of complexity that FBSS presents. His exclusive use of the Activator Method means his approach is always controlled, precise, and appropriate for post-surgical anatomy.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

We know that FBSS patients often come to us after exhausting other options, and we take that history seriously.

At your first appointment, Dr. Hagen will:

Review your complete surgical and medical history, including imaging and operative reports if available
Perform a thorough physical examination to assess your current spinal function, range of motion, and nerve involvement
Identify areas of misalignment, joint dysfunction, or residual nerve pressure contributing to your pain
Develop a personalized, conservative treatment plan tailored specifically to your post-surgical spine

There is no one-size-fits-all protocol for FBSS. Your care plan will be built around your unique history, your current symptoms, and your goals — whether that's reducing daily pain, getting back to work, or simply being able to move through life more comfortably.

A Drug-Free Path Forward

Lifestyle modifications play a significant role in managing FBSS; patients may need to adjust their daily activities, adopt ergonomic practices, and engage in regular, low-impact exercises to keep the body active without exacerbating pain.

As part of your care at Back Specialists, Dr. Hagen may also provide guidance on posture, movement habits, and activity modification to support your recovery between visits.

For patients who have been cycling through medications, injections, or repeat surgical consultations without lasting relief, chiropractic care offers something different: a focus on restoring function naturally, without adding new risks or interventions to an already complex situation.

You Deserve Relief. Let's Find It Together.

Living with ongoing pain after back surgery is physically exhausting and emotionally draining. At Back Specialists in Sioux Falls, we believe that a surgical history doesn't have to define your future. Dr. Hagen has helped patients with some of the most complex spinal cases in the region find meaningful, lasting relief — and he's ready to do the same for you.

Call or text us at 605-361-1700 or schedule online to book your consultation today.

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