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 load-tolerance problem rather than damage. Tier 1 Performance & Rehab in Fort Collins assesses how you hinge, brace and sit, treats the painful tissue with hands-on care, and then progressively loads the hips, trunk and back so it tolerates 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
- —Hinge mechanics that put load in the back instead of the hips
- —Trunk and glute strength below what your sport or job demands
- —A rapid jump in training volume or a long deload followed by heavy work
- —Positions and habits — sitting, sleeping, one-sided loading — that keep the tissue 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 hip and spine range, hinge and squat mechanics, trunk endurance and how symptoms change with load and position.
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Hands-on treatment
Manual therapy and soft tissue work to reduce pain and restore movement at the segments and hips that are not contributing.
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Build load tolerance
Hinge, squat, carry and anti-rotation work programmed to your current tolerance and progressed weekly.
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Return to full training
Your lifts and your sport rebuilt to full load, with rules for warm-up, volume 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
Loaded strength work, back to your main lifts at scaled weight.
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Weeks 10–16
Full load on the hinge and squat, plus the program 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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