Home Conditions treated Back pain
Back pain care after work
Yes, Dr. Casteel treats back pain, and the office is open until 8 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He starts with your history and an exam, then tells you what he finds.
Short answers
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Yes, he treats back pain
Low, mid or upper back, from a strain, a disc problem, posture, an accident or a sports injury. Every plan starts with a history and a hands-on exam.
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Come after work
- Mon, Wed, Fri 9am–1pm
- Mon, Wed, Fri 3pm–8pm
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Cost and coverage
Many plans, including most major commercial plans and Medicare, include chiropractic benefits. Call and we will check yours with you.
What causes back pain, and what Dr. Casteel looks at
Plain answers to what people with back pain ask first.
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What causes back pain?
Dr. Casteel treats back pain from a wide range of causes: spinal misalignments, herniated or bulging discs, muscle strains, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, degenerative disc disease, poor posture, auto accident injuries and sports injuries.
At your first visit he looks for the source of your pain and builds a care plan from what he finds.
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Is my back pain in the muscle or the spine?
Muscle pain tends to feel like a general ache or tightness that gets worse when you move and eases with rest. Pain from a disc or a nerve is often sharper and more localized, may spread into the buttocks, hips or legs, and may not ease at rest.
The two overlap a lot, so telling them apart takes a hands-on exam. Dr. Casteel examines you to work out where your pain is coming from.
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Can a herniated disc cause back pain?
Yes. A herniated or bulging disc is a common source of low back pain and of pain that feels like sciatica. For disc problems Dr. Casteel uses gentle techniques, particularly Flexion Distraction, a table-assisted technique meant to ease pressure on the disc and the nerve.
He assesses how severe your disc problem is and whether conservative chiropractic care is the right first step. If the pain runs down your leg, read about sciatica.
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Should I rest or stay active?
Dr. Casteel’s advice for most back pain is gentle movement rather than bed rest. He guides you on how active to be, and may give you specific exercises and movements, including Stretching & Strengthening Exercises matched to your current pain level and what you can do.
Care that can be part of your plan
Dr. Casteel offers these for back pain. Which ones you get depends on your exam.
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For pain in the lower, mid or upper back. It starts with your history and a hands-on exam.
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Hands-on adjustments. After your exam, Dr. Casteel tells you whether they suit you.
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Spinal Manipulation & Adjustment
Hands-on adjustment of the spine, matched to your age, size and health.
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A gentler, table-assisted technique, used for disc-related back and leg pain.
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Hands-on work on tight muscles and the tissue around them.
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Stretching & Strengthening Exercises
Stretches and strengthening work to go with your visits.
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Lifestyle & Nutritional Advice
Advice on everyday habits and nutrition, to go with your care.
Before you come in
What people ask about back pain care.
Will it hurt?
Before any adjustment Dr. Casteel evaluates you, and he chooses techniques to suit your needs, your health history and your comfort level, including gentler ones such as Flexion Distraction.
What happens at my first back pain visit?
Dr. Casteel takes a detailed health history and does a hands-on exam of your spine and posture. He talks through your symptoms, looks for what is contributing to your pain and explains what he finds in plain language. Then he outlines a care plan. Some patients also have a first adjustment at that visit.
Is chiropractic care better than medication for back pain?
They are different approaches. Dr. Casteel describes chiropractic care as a hands-on option that some people use instead of, or along with, medication or other care for many kinds of back pain.
After your exam he tells you whether it suits your back pain, and if another type of care would suit you better, he tells you that too.
How long will it take to get better?
It varies. Back pain from a recent strain or minor injury often needs a shorter course of care than long-standing pain with disc or degenerative changes. Dr. Casteel gives you a realistic timeline after your evaluation, keeps track of your progress and adjusts your plan as you go.
Will I have to keep coming back?
Not necessarily. Dr. Casteel works out a care schedule with you from your condition and your goals. Some patients finish a defined course of care and then choose periodic visits. His aim is to help you manage on your own as much as you can.
How do I set up a back pain visit?
Call (814) 235-9400 or request an appointment. No referral is required. Dr. Casteel does an evaluation, explains what he finds and outlines a care plan for your back pain.
The front desk at the office, where your visit starts.
Your first visit, step by step
New to chiropractic? Here is what happens, from the phone call to your talk with Dr. Casteel.
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Call the front desk
They find a time that fits around your work, answer insurance questions and tell you what to bring. (814) 235-9400
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Bring your insurance card
If you were hurt in a car accident, bring your auto claim details too.
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History and exam
Dr. Casteel reviews your history and examines you.
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Your options
Dr. Casteel talks through your options with you.
Insurance, in plain words
Coverage depends on your plan. Call and we'll check yours with you.
| How you might pay | What we can tell you |
|---|---|
| Health insurance | Many major commercial plans include chiropractic benefits. |
| Medicare | Many plans, including Medicare, include chiropractic benefits. Call and we'll help you check yours. |
| Auto insurance (PIP) after an accident | Many plans, including auto PIP, include chiropractic benefits. Call and we'll help you check yours, and have your claim details handy. |
| Which plans we take, and visit prices | The front desk can tell you which plans the office takes and what a visit costs. Call (814) 235-9400. |
- Health insurance
- Many major commercial plans include chiropractic benefits.
- Medicare
- Many plans, including Medicare, include chiropractic benefits. Call and we'll help you check yours.
- Auto insurance (PIP) after an accident
- Many plans, including auto PIP, include chiropractic benefits. Call and we'll help you check yours, and have your claim details handy.
- Which plans we take, and visit prices
- The front desk can tell you which plans the office takes and what a visit costs. Call (814) 235-9400.
What people ask before they call
Can I come in after work?
Yes. These are the office hours:
- Mon, Wed, Fri 9am–1pm
- Mon, Wed, Fri 3pm–8pm
Do you treat injuries from car accidents?
Yes. Dr. Casteel offers Accident Injury Treatments and Whiplash Treatment. Call and we'll check your auto coverage with you.
Will you take x-rays?
Dr. Casteel reviews your history and examines you, and takes x-rays if they're needed.
Do you see children or pregnant patients?
The office lists Pediatric Chiropractic Care and Treatments During Pregnancy among its services. Call first and the front desk can tell you more.
Do you offer more than adjustments?
Yes: Myofascial Release, Trigger point therapy, Stretching & Strengthening Exercises and Lifestyle & Nutritional Advice.
Where to find us, and when
Casteel Chiropractic
1411 N Atherton St, State College, PA 16803
Hours
- Mon, Wed, Fri 9am–1pm
- Mon, Wed, Fri 3pm–8pm
Back hurting? Call.
The front desk finds a time that fits around your work and answers insurance questions. Open until 8 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.