Hello, I'm chiropracter Mariyam Khan. Many of my patients come to me confused and in pain, asking, "Why does my back hurt?" or "Why do I have this pain shooting down my leg?" The answer often lies in the spine. Your spine isn't just a stack of bones; it's a complex, incredibly important structure that houses and protects your spinal cord—the main information highway for your entire body. When there's a problem in the spine, it can affect everything. Here’s a breakdown of the most common issues I see and how chiropractic care helps. 1. Lower Back Pain The Issue: This is the most frequent complaint. It's often caused by misaligned vertebrae in the lumbar spine (the L1-L5 vertebrae). This misalignment puts strain on the surrounding muscles and the discs, which are the spine's shock absorbers. The Symptom: A dull ache or sharp, debilitating pain in the lower back, which is often worse after sitting or standing for a long time.