Why Back Pain Keeps Coming Back — What I’ve Learned in 30 Years as a Chiropractor
After more than 30 years working as a chiropractor, 25 years of those working as a chiropractor in Islington, one of the most common things I hear from new patients is this:
“I don’t understand why my back pain keeps coming back.”
Many of the people I see in my Islington practice have tried everything — exercises, massage, medication, rest, chiropractic, osteopathy, physiotherapy — yet the problem never truly goes away. It might improve for a while, but sooner or later, it returns.
Over the years, I’ve learned that recurring back pain is rarely just about the back.
Why So Many People Are Stuck in the Same Cycle
In my experience, most back pain keeps returning because care, and the patient is focused only on symptoms, not function.
Pain is the body’s warning signal — not the problem itself.
When treatment only targets where it hurts, the deeper reasons behind the pain are often missed. That’s why relief can be temporary, even when treatment feels helpful in the short term.
What 30 Years of Practice Has Taught Me
One thing has become very clear over time:
👉 The spine and nervous system must be working well together for lasting relief.
Your spine isn’t just a stack of bones — it protects your nervous system, which controls:
Muscle tension and relaxation
Posture and movement
Healing and recovery
How your body responds to stress
Feeds back to the brain about how each vertebrae and you are moving.
When the nervous system is under constant strain, the body often adapts by tightening muscles, limiting movement, and becoming more sensitive to pain. Longer term behaviour changes and the restriction of lifestyle can result.
That’s when back pain keeps coming back.
Stress and the Nervous System: The Part People Overlook
Many of the patients I see — especially those living or working in Islington — are dealing with chronic stress, often without realising it.
Long hours, busy schedules, commuting, and constant mental demands keep the nervous system stuck in “fight or flight” mode. Over time, this can:
Increase spinal tension
Reduce flexibility and movement
Slow healing
Make the back more vulnerable to flare-ups
Decrease motivation and lead to frustration and impatience.
This is why I always look beyond symptoms.
Why I Take a Wellness-Based Chiropractic Approach
Early in my career, I realised that lasting results come from understanding how well the body is functioning, not just how much pain someone is in.
A wellness-based approach focuses on:
Supporting the nervous system
Improving spinal movement and adaptability
Helping the body regulate stress more effectively
Encouraging long-term spinal health
Rather than asking “How do we stop this pain today?”, I ask:
“Why is this body struggling to adapt and stay well?”
Assessing the Autonomic Nervous System
One of the most important parts of my approach is assessing how the autonomic nervous system is functioning.
This tells me:
How your body handles stress
Whether it’s stuck in fight-or-flight
How well it can relax, recover, and heal
When the nervous system is better balanced, the spine tends to move more freely — and the body becomes far more resilient.
Why Back Pain Often Returns When Care Stops
I’ve seen it many times: pain improves, care stops, life resumes — and the pain comes back.
This happens because:
The nervous system is still under stress
Old movement patterns return
The spine hasn’t regained full adaptability
The body hasn’t learned how to maintain balance
Wellness-based chiropractic care isn’t about endless treatment — it’s about helping the body function better for the long term.
Chiropractic Care in Islington — A Different Way Forward
People don’t come to see me just because they’re in pain. They come because they want:
Fewer flare-ups
Better movement
Less tension
More confidence in their body
If you’re searching for chiropractic in Islington, my aim is not just to relieve pain, but to help your spine and nervous system work better — so pain is less likely to return.
Is This Approach Right for You?
You may benefit from wellness-based chiropractic care if:
Your back pain keeps coming back
You feel tense or restricted even when pain-free
Stress affects how your body feels or moves
You want a proactive, not reactive, approach
A Final Thought
After 30 years in practice, I’ve learned that recurring back pain is often a sign the body needs support — not suppression.
By taking a wellness-based view and focusing on nervous system health, chiropractic care can help you move, adapt, and live with greater ease — not just cope with pain.
Ready to Take a Different Approach to Back Pain?
If your back pain keeps coming back, it may be time to stop chasing symptoms and start supporting how your body functions as a whole.
With over 30 years of experience, I take a calm, unrushed, wellness-based approach — looking at your spine, nervous system, and how your body responds to everyday stress.
If you’re looking for chiropractic care in Islington and want a more thoughtful, long-term solution, I’d be happy to help.
👉 Book a consultation by clicking here or call us on 0207 288 2999, and let’s find out what your body needs to move, adapt, and feel better — not just now, but for the long term.
If you have any questions before booking, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.