Back Pain That Keeps Coming Back Has a Mechanical Cause. We Find It and Fix It.
We treat back pain by finding the real mechanical cause. Whether it’s a disc herniation, spinal instability, facet joint dysfunction, or sciatica. Lasting relief requires treating the source, not just the symptom.
Accident & Injury Recovery
Chronic Pain & Spine
Aches & Functional Issues
Your spine loads differently under motion. Shouldn't your diagnosis reflect that?
Understanding Chronic Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common. And most poorly treated. Conditions in healthcare. It has many structural causes: disc herniation, spinal stenosis, facet joint arthritis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, spondylolisthesis, or muscle and ligament injuries. The reason back pain keeps coming back for most patients is that the underlying mechanical cause was never identified or corrected. At McClean Spine Care Specialists, we start every back pain evaluation with objective motion-based imaging to find exactly what’s driving your pain.
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Whiplash
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Neck pain after car accident
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Back pain after car accident (mid-back or low back)
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Headaches after car accident
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Shoulder pain / upper back tightness after car accident
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Radiating nerve pain, numbness, or tingling
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Dizziness or “off balance” symptoms (when appropriate)
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Spinal instability / ligament injury patterns
Back pain after a car accident can come from multiple sources. Sprains/strains, disc irritation, facet joint injury, or ligament instability that only shows up when the spine is stressed. If your low back pain started days later, wakes you up at night, or feels sharp with twisting/bending, you need a focused evaluation. Not guesswork.
Whiplash: Why Symptoms Can Be Delayed
Whiplash symptoms don’t always hit immediately. Inflammation, muscle guarding, and ligament irritation can ramp up over 24, 72 hours, which is why people often search for answers days after the crash. Our process is designed to connect your symptoms, exam findings, and imaging so you’re not stuck treating the wrong thing.
What an Injury Evaluation Looks Like
Your visit focuses on: (1) your crash history and symptom timeline, (2) an exam that matches your pain pattern, and (3) imaging when appropriate. Especially when we suspect instability or a ligament-driven problem. If you already have an MRI, we’ll correlate it with your movement findings and exam.
Our Approach to Back Pain Treatment
Effective back pain treatment starts with a precise diagnosis. We use motion X-ray imaging and fellowship-level biomechanical analysis to identify the exact structural cause of your pain, then build a structured two-phase treatment plan. Phase A controls your pain and protects the injured structures. Phase B corrects the underlying mechanical problem and stabilizes the spine to prevent recurrence.
- Step 1: Detect What Matters - Motion X-rays + full-spine analysis
- Step 2: Correlate With Real Symptoms. We cross-reference your symptom pattern (neck pain, back pain, headaches), motion X-ray findings, and MRI (when needed)
- Step 3: Create the Right Recovery Plan - Calm the inflammation → Restore structure → Rehab movement
Testimonials
See why Utah County back pain patients choose McClean Spine Care Specialists.
“I am so grateful that I am able to be seen here. This is hands down the best chiropractor I have been to. I was recently in another car accident and was worried about going to another chiropractor, I did not see results like this with my last one. I am doing exercises here that I haven’t done before. I also have the opportunity to see a massage therapist here and that is also doing wonders. I feel better than I have in a long time. Matt McClean is great and his staff couldn’t be nicer. They are professional yet make you feel comfortable. I look forward to my visits. I highly recommend this place.”
Tashina Sherman
“I totaled my Chevy diesel last year and escaped without a scratch. A week or so later I noticed a dull pain and discomfort in my lower back, neck and shoulders which woke me in my sleep. Through the advice of a friend, I went to the McClean Chiropractic. There I found one of a kind modern technology. The doctors were knowledgeable and more importantly dedicated to my rehabilitation and truly cared about my well-being and a staff that is equally generous and thoughtful. What I love most is that it’s a family owned business and has been for sometime. Within the first treatment I noticed a change, within several more visits I was no longer experiencing the pain and discomfort from my auto accident. I want to thank everyone at McClean chiropractic for making this difficult time incredibly easy and pleasant.”
Joseph Cornetta
“Dr. Gordon McClean is an excellent doctor who really cares about helping people. I came to Dr. McClean while on Christmas vacation in pain and feeling very anxious about an invasive surgery my doctor back home had advised to be my best option. After a minor car accident 3 years ago I have struggled with neck pain, stiffness, headaches, arm weakness and tingling. I have done physical therapy twice, been on medication regularly, tried steroid injection and facet numbing. Dr. McClean treated me for 12 consecutive days, even over the holidays, and has brought my symptoms and pain from an 8 down to a 0-1! The weakness in my left arm is significantly changed. He took the time to listen and share his expertise with all the many questions I had. He helped me get into another surgeons office in the area for a second opinion who also believed the surgery I was going home to have was too aggressive for my symptoms, MRI results, and age. I know that it is difficult to find a doctor that you can trust and the McClean Chiropractic doctors are exactly that.”
Rebecca Barnhurts
“Came in for whiplash after an auto accident. Felt much better after just a few treatments. Continued going for several weeks to correct any long term problems. Friendly service, also very helpful and patient in resolving a payment issue from the insurance. Would go back again or recommend to others.”
Brandon Barney
McClean Chiropractic - Spine Care Specialists
Back Pain in Provo?
Let's Find the Mechanical Cause.
Thorough back pain evaluation with motion-based imaging and fellowship-level biomechanics. Same-day appointments available.
Related Conditions We Treat
Herniated Disc • Sciatica • Neck Pain • Whiplash • Headaches
Our Services
Spinal Decompression Therapy • Advanced Diagnostics & Motion X-Ray • Chiropractor in Provo, Utah • Car Accident Injury Care • Free MRI Review
Same-day appointments available. Call 801-373-1035 or schedule online.
What our patients say
“I am so grateful that I am able to be seen here. This is hands down the best chiropractor I have been to. I am doing exercises here that I haven’t done before. Matt McClean is great and his staff couldn’t be nicer.”
. Tashina S., Google review
“Do wonders for my back, shoulders and neck since my wreck.”
. Billy R., Google review
Back pain FAQ
Most back pain (even severe) is mechanical and resolves with appropriate care. Red flags. Progressive weakness, numbness in the saddle area, unexplained weight loss, night pain, history of cancer. Warrant urgent evaluation. We screen for these at every new-patient exam.
Not necessarily. The exam and motion X-ray tell us a lot about whether you’re dealing with mechanical, disc-related, or other sources. We order MRI when findings warrant it. Not reflexively.
Short answer: depends on the source. We often get significant improvement in the first 1-3 visits once we know what we’re treating. Heat vs. ice, rest vs. movement, which exercises. All of that is specific to what the exam shows.
Yes, often. Post-surgical patients with new or returning pain are a significant part of our practice. We’re careful with the operated segments and focus on the surrounding biomechanics.
Acute uncomplicated low back pain: often 4-8 visits over 2-4 weeks. Chronic or disc-related cases: 8-16 weeks with decreasing frequency. Post-injury cases: varies widely with severity and imaging findings.
Usually yes, with modifications. Bed rest is the wrong answer for most back pain. We’ll tell you what to keep doing, what to hold off on, and what to add.
Back pain slowing you down? Let's get to the root of it.
Fellowship-trained Spine Management Physicians. Motion X-ray, MRI review, coordinated care. Same-week appointments.
McClean Chiropractic · 385 N 500 W, Provo UT 84601