Back Pain Treatment in Melbourne
Drug-free back pain care in Melbourne, FL for lower, upper, and mid-back pain. We look for the root cause and treat it with gentle chiropractic adjustments.
Chiropractic care for back pain
Get to the root of your back pain
Also known as: Lower Back Pain, Upper Back Pain, Mid-Back Pain, Lumbago, Dorsalgia
If back pain is keeping you from work, workouts, or a good night's sleep, you're not alone — it's one of the most common reasons people in Melbourne and across Brevard County see a chiropractor. Whether it's lower, upper, or mid-back pain, Dr. Rachael Callaway works to pinpoint what's actually driving it and builds a gentle, drug-free plan aimed at the root cause instead of masking it.
Symptoms of back pain
- ✓A dull, constant ache in the lower back
- ✓Sharp or stabbing pain when you move or lift
- ✓Stiffness after sitting or first thing in the morning
- ✓Pain that radiates into the hips, buttocks, or legs
- ✓Muscle spasms or tightness across the low back
- ✓Trouble standing up straight or bending over
Common causes
- Muscle or ligament strain from lifting or twisting
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease or spinal arthritis
- Poor posture and long hours of sitting
- Sciatica or a pinched nerve
- Weak core muscles and repetitive strain
- Auto accidents and sports injuries
Our approach
How we treat back pain in Melbourne
- Step 1
Thorough exam
We review your history and perform a chiropractic examination of your posture, movement, and spine to find the likely source of your pain — and refer you elsewhere if anything needs further testing.
- Step 2
A clear, personalized plan
You get a plain-English written report of what we found, with specific recommendations for your care — so you know exactly what we suggest and why.
- Step 3
Gentle treatment & support
We combine chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue work, and posture guidance to ease pain now and help keep it from returning.
The basics
Understanding back pain
Your spine runs from the base of your skull to your pelvis, and back pain can show up anywhere along it. The lower back (lumbar spine) carries most of your body weight and is the most common site, but the mid-back (thoracic spine) and upper back also take a beating from posture, desk work, and old injuries. Most adults experience back pain somewhere along the spine at some point in their lives.
The good news is that most back pain is mechanical — it comes from how the joints, discs, and muscles of your spine are moving (or not moving) — which means it often responds well to conservative, drug-free chiropractic care. The key is finding why your back hurts rather than just chasing the pain with medication.
Certificate to Health
New Patient Special
Find out what's causing your pain and how we can help. An initial chiropractic evaluation for $60, which covers your consultation, exam and report of findings.
Certificate good only for first time patients who are residents of Brevard County, and does not apply to workers comp or accident cases. FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS USE BY MEDICARE. ADDITIONAL SERVICES ARE AT ESTABLISHED PRICES. THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT.
When to see a chiropractor in Melbourne
It’s tempting to wait out back pain, but getting it checked early can make recovery easier. Consider scheduling an exam if you notice:
- Pain that lingers more than a few days or keeps returning
- Stiffness that limits your work, workouts, or sleep
- Pain that travels into your hip, buttock, or leg (a sign of sciatica)
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in a leg or foot
- Back pain after a car accident, fall, or sports injury
During your first visit we start with a consultation and a chiropractic examination, then give you a written report of what we found and what we recommend.
Lower, upper, and mid-back pain — we look at all three
“Back pain” isn’t one thing. Where it sits usually points to a different cause, and your care plan should reflect that.
Lower back pain
The most common form by far, lower back pain comes from the lumbar spine that carries most of your body weight. It’s often triggered by lifting, prolonged sitting, disc problems, or sciatica — and it often responds well to gentle chiropractic adjustments and soft-tissue work.
Upper back pain
Pain across the upper back and between the shoulder blades is usually posture- and tension-driven — hours hunched over a screen, a heavy bag on one shoulder, or stress that settles into the muscles. Restricted joints and tight tissue here often respond well to adjustments and massage therapy, frequently alongside neck pain care.
Mid-back pain
Mid-back (thoracic) pain often stems from rib-joint restrictions, posture, or muscle strain, and can feel like a deep ache or a catch when you breathe or twist. Care focuses on restoring motion to the thoracic spine and ribs and improving the postural habits driving it.
Types of back pain we see
No two backs are the same, and “back pain” can mean very different things. Our chiropractors regularly see patients with:
- Acute back pain — sudden pain from lifting, twisting, or a minor injury.
- Chronic back pain — pain lasting three months or longer, where finding the root cause matters most.
- Sciatica and nerve pain — pain that radiates from the low back into the leg or foot (see our dedicated sciatica page).
- Disc-related pain — from a bulging or herniated disc, where gentle, low-force adjusting is often preferred.
- Posture- and work-related pain — the dull ache that builds from long hours of sitting, driving, or repetitive strain.
Your exam helps us understand which type you’re dealing with, so your plan is built for your back — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first appointment is all about understanding your pain before any treatment is recommended. We’ll:
- Listen to your story — when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and how it’s affecting your day.
- Examine your spine — a chiropractic examination of posture, movement, and the areas involved (and a referral if anything needs further testing).
- Explain what we found — in plain English, with a written report of findings and recommendations.
- Plan next steps together — if chiropractic care is a good fit, we’ll talk through the recommended plan and schedule from there.
Drug-free back pain relief — without medication or surgery
Medication can mask back pain for a few hours, and surgery is a major step that’s rarely necessary for mechanical back pain. Chiropractic care offers another path: work on the pain and what’s causing it, without drugs or downtime. For many patients, that means getting back to work, workouts, and family life. And if your exam ever suggests you need imaging, medication, or a specialist, we’ll tell you honestly and help point you in the right direction.
Why choose CARE Natural Wellness Center
At CARE Natural Wellness Center, serving Melbourne and the rest of Brevard County, we focus on the cause, not just the symptom. Dr. Rachael Callaway — a lifelong chiropractic patient herself — combines gentle chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue techniques, and low-force options like the Activator Method into one clear plan, so you get relief now and guidance to help keep back pain from coming back.
New to the office? Our New Patient Special makes your first visit easy, and you can request an appointment online — our office will contact you to confirm.
Why choose chiropractic
Chiropractic care vs. the typical back-pain routine
| Comparison factor | Chiropractic Care | Pain Meds & Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Addresses the root cause | ✓Works on spinal mechanics | ✕Masks the symptoms |
| Drug-free & non-invasive | ✓Always | ✕Rarely |
| Risk of side effects | ✓Minimal | ✕Higher (meds, surgery) |
| Personalized to you | ✓Custom care plan | ✕One-size-fits-all |
| Supports long-term function | ✓Posture & home-care guidance | ✕Seldom addressed |
| Typical recovery | ✓Active & gradual | ✕Often lengthy |
Treatment options
Services we use to relieve back pain
Chiropractic Care
Gentle, precise chiropractic adjustments in Melbourne, FL that restore motion to restricted joints and help ease back pain, neck pain, and headaches at the source.
Learn more →Activator Method Technique
Activator Method chiropractic in Melbourne, FL — a spring-loaded, low-force instrument adjustment that restores joint motion gently and precisely, with no cracking.
Learn more →Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage in Melbourne, FL relaxes tight muscles, supports circulation, and complements chiropractic care for neck pain, whiplash, and tension headaches.
Learn more →Wellness Care
Ongoing wellness care in Melbourne, FL — periodic chiropractic check-ups plus nutrition support to help you catch small issues early and keep feeling your best.
Learn more →PEMF Therapy
PEMF therapy in Melbourne, FL uses gentle, low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields to help support circulation, comfort and recovery. Quiet and non-invasive.
Learn more →Related conditions
Other conditions we treat in Melbourne
Patient reviews
What our Melbourne patients say
“Dr Walsh is amazing! The staff is amazing as well.”
“Dr. Brian Walsh and his caring office staff have been serving me for almost 30 years now. His chiropractic skills and Nutritional Response Testing have helped me tremendously to navigate the health obstacles that have presented themselves in my journey. From severe issues with thyroid disease to menopause symptoms to navigating the pain related to arthritis and joint issues, Dr. Walsh has been a reliable resource and a readily available care provider who has helped me maintain and improve my quality of life through access to helpful natural supplements and practical strategies for quality and healthy pain management and treatment options. His helpful and compassionate staff always go the distance to ensure that you get the care you need and they do so with cheerfulness and respect. I honestly don’t know what my quality of life would be like without access to this wonderful group of professionals.”
“Dr Walsh and staff are phenomenal”
When should I see a chiropractor for back pain?+
If your back pain lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, or limits work, sleep, or exercise, it's worth an exam. The sooner the cause is identified, the sooner you can start addressing it.
Is chiropractic treatment for back pain safe?+
Chiropractic adjustments are a widely used, drug-free approach to back pain. We screen every patient during the first visit and only recommend care once we're confident it's a good fit for you. Gentle instrument-based options such as the Activator Method are also available.
How many visits will I need to feel better?+
It depends on how long you've had the pain and what's causing it. After your exam, Dr. Callaway gives you a written report of findings with specific recommendations, so you know what to expect before you commit to anything.
What does my first visit include?+
New patients start with a consultation, a chiropractic examination, and a written report of findings with recommendations. Visit our New Patients page for details on the current new-patient offer.
Can chiropractic help a herniated disc or sciatica?+
Often, yes. Gentle adjustments and soft-tissue work can help ease pressure and irritation around the disc and nerve. We'll be honest about whether you're a good candidate and refer you elsewhere if you need it.
Do I need a referral or imaging before I come in?+
No referral is needed — in Florida you can see a chiropractor directly. Most back pain doesn't require imaging first; we screen for red flags during your exam and refer you out if further testing is needed.
How soon will I feel relief?+
Every patient is different. Some people notice a change fairly quickly, while longer-standing problems usually take more time. Individual results vary, and following your recommended plan gives you the best chance of lasting improvement.
What should I do if back pain starts after a car accident?+
Get evaluated promptly. In Florida, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits generally require initial treatment within 14 days of the accident. If you have severe pain, numbness, or weakness, seek emergency care first. For questions about whether our office is the right fit for your situation, call us.
What causes lower back pain?+
Most low back pain is mechanical — strained muscles, restricted spinal joints, a bulging or herniated disc, arthritis, poor posture, or a weak core. Our exam aims to pinpoint which of these is driving your pain so care can target it directly instead of guessing.
What causes lower back pain in women?+
Women experience the same mechanical causes as anyone — disc and joint issues, posture, and core weakness — plus added strain from pregnancy, hormonal changes, and conditions like endometriosis. A thorough exam helps tell the difference so your plan fits your situation.
How can I relieve lower back pain at home?+
Gentle movement and walking, alternating ice and heat, improving your sitting posture, and light core and hip stretches all help. If the pain lasts more than a few days or radiates into your leg, schedule an exam so we can look for the cause rather than just manage it.