Condition
Low Back Pain Treatment in Fort Collins, CO
The most common reason people walk in. Whether it started with a deadlift or a long week at a desk, the fix is the same sequence: find the cause, calm it down, build capacity.
The short answer
Low back pain in active adults is usually a sign the back is being asked to do more than it is currently strong enough for, rather than a sign of damage. Tier 1 Performance & Rehab in Fort Collins looks at how you bend, lift and sit, treats the painful area with hands-on care, then builds strength in your hips, core and back so it holds up to lifting and long days. Most people keep training in a modified form throughout.
Serving Fort Collins, Loveland, Timnath, Windsor and Wellington, CO.
01 — What it is
Low back pain, and how to tell that's what you have
Signs you're dealing with this
- —Pain or stiffness after sitting, driving or a heavy session
- —A catch or pinch coming out of the bottom of a squat or deadlift
- —Morning stiffness that eases as you move
- —Recurring tweaks that keep interrupting training blocks
- —Pain that has been managed with rest and keeps coming back
What's actually causing it
- —Bending and lifting in a way that loads the back instead of the hips
- —Core and glute strength below what your sport or job asks for
- —A rapid jump in training volume or a long deload followed by heavy work
- —Everyday habits — how you sit, sleep or carry things — that keep it irritated
“He's particular and detailed. Working with him helps my brain understand what needs to happen to recover and restore strength and mobility.”
02 — Our approach
How we treat Low back pain at Tier 1
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Full movement assessment
We look at how your hips and back move, how you bend and squat, and what makes the pain better or worse.
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Hands-on treatment
Hands-on treatment to bring the pain down and get the stiff areas moving again.
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Build the strength back
Lifting, squatting and carrying exercises matched to what you can handle now, made a little harder each week.
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Return to full training
Your lifts and your sport built back to full weight, with simple rules for warming up and what to do if it flares.
What to expect, week by week
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Weeks 1–3
Pain down and daily activity back to normal.
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Weeks 4–10
Strength work under way, back to your main lifts at lighter weight.
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Weeks 10–16
Full weight on your lifts, plus the routine that keeps it from returning.
Programs here run 8 to 16 weeks depending on how long the problem has been going on and the load you need to return to. These are typical ranges for active adults, not a guarantee — you get specific goals and a target program length after your first assessment.
03 — FAQ
Low back pain: common questions
Written as direct answers so Google and AI assistants can quote them.
When should I see a chiropractor for low back pain?+
If pain has lasted more than a week, keeps coming back, or is stopping you training or sleeping, an assessment is worth it. Earlier care means less time working around it.
Do I need an X-ray for low back pain?+
Most of the time, no. Imaging is indicated after trauma, or with red-flag findings or a lack of response to care. Findings on imaging often do not match the source of pain.
Can I keep deadlifting with low back pain?+
Usually yes, at a modified load, range or variation. We would rather change the dose than remove the movement, because the hinge is what makes the back resilient.
How long is a care program?+
Programs run 8 to 16 weeks, and you get a target program length with measurable goals after your first assessment — not open-ended care.
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Get a straight answer about your Low back pain
The free discovery call takes a few minutes. You'll leave knowing what's likely going on, what care would involve, and whether we're the right fit.
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