Request a Consultation (701) 599-3950 Join Now
Patient discussing back pain with Dr. Kristine Martens at Resurgent Health Fargo

Back Pain Treatment in Fargo, ND: Osteopathic Therapy and Core Support for Lasting Relief

Common In:Adults 25-65
Primary Causes:Strain, Facet Dysfunction, Weak Core
Treatment Time:30-60 minutes
Results:Immediate to 8 weeks
Close-up of lumbar spine anatomy educational visual at Resurgent Health Fargo

What Is Back Pain?

Recognizing the Signs

Back pain is discomfort along the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine that can involve muscles, ligaments, facet joints, intervertebral discs, or nerve roots. Clinicians classify it by duration: acute (less than 6 weeks), subacute (6 to 12 weeks), and chronic (longer than 12 weeks). It is also grouped as mechanical (soft tissue and joint origins) or non-mechanical (specific pathology such as fracture, infection, or malignancy).

When your back feels stiff after a long drive, catches sharply when you bend to tie a shoe, or aches every morning before your feet hit the floor, you are noticing how sensitive the lumbar spine is to daily load. Most episodes are mechanical and respond well to conservative care.

Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and many patients describe feeling frustrated, cautious with movement, and worn down by pain that interferes with sleep, work, and time with family. At Resurgent Health, we take that experience seriously and evaluate the whole picture, not just the sore spot.

Illustration of lumbar spine mechanics and load distribution at Resurgent Health Fargo

Why Back Pain Happens

Understanding the Root Causes

The lumbar spine carries the majority of your bodyweight and absorbs load with every step, lift, and twist. When muscles fatigue or move poorly, tissues strain, small facet joints get restricted, and intervertebral discs bear uneven pressure. Over time, this cascade can produce the aching, burning, or sharp catches most patients recognize as back pain.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, roughly 8 out of 10 adults will experience back pain at some point, and most episodes are mechanical rather than caused by serious pathology. The American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline recommends non-pharmacologic care, including spinal manipulation, as first-line treatment for acute and subacute low back pain.

The sacroiliac joints, deep core muscles (transversus abdominis and multifidus), and thoracolumbar fascia all work together to stabilize the spine. When any part of that system underperforms, other structures compensate. Dr. Kristine Martens uses muscle energy technique and myofascial release to restore motion and release restrictions that keep the pain cycle going.

Diagram showing transversus abdominis and multifidus deep core anatomy at Resurgent Health

Low Back Pain in Focus

How Deep Core Weakness Affects the Lumbar Spine

Low back pain accounts for the majority of back pain cases and is the single leading cause of years lived with disability globally, according to the World Health Organization. The lumbar segments (L1 through L5) sit above the sacrum and rely on both passive support (vertebrae, discs, ligaments) and active support (muscles) to stay stable during movement.

The deep core muscles, specifically the transversus abdominis and the multifidus, act as an internal corset. In patients with chronic low back pain, the multifidus often shows measurable atrophy on imaging, and firing patterns of the transversus abdominis are delayed. Without that deep support, larger surface muscles like the erector spinae work overtime and fatigue quickly.

Emsculpt Neo uses HIFEM (high-intensity focused electromagnetic) technology to induce supramaximal muscle contractions that surface exercise cannot match. Applied to the abdomen and lower back, it rebuilds the deep muscular support system that shields the lumbar spine, which is why Emsculpt Neo core strengthening pairs so well with manual therapy for long-term relief.

What Accelerates Back Pain?

Several factors work together to trigger and prolong back pain, and identifying yours is the first step toward a plan that actually holds. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that most low back pain has a mechanical basis and responds to non-drug interventions.

Muscular Strain

Lifting, twisting, or sudden movements can overload paraspinal muscles and connective tissue, producing acute spasm and guarding.

Facet Joint Dysfunction

Small joints on the back of each vertebra can restrict, irritating surrounding tissue and creating localized aching or sharp catches with extension.

Disc Pathology

Bulging, herniated, or degenerated discs can compress nerve roots and produce pain that radiates into the buttock or leg.

SI Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joints transfer load between spine and pelvis; when they move poorly, one-sided low back and hip pain often follows.

Poor Core Stability

A weak transversus abdominis and multifidus force larger surface muscles to overwork, leaving the lumbar spine underprotected during daily loads.

Prolonged Sitting

Extended sitting shortens hip flexors and reduces multifidus activation, which is common for desk workers and long-haul drivers.

Resurgent Health Direct Primary Care clinic interior in Fargo North Dakota

Why Choose Resurgent Health for Back Pain Care in Fargo, ND

Expert Care in Fargo

  • Osteopathic Physician
  • Unhurried Visits
  • Two-Part Plan
  • Red-Flag Screening

Treatment Options Comparison

Finding Your Best Approach

Treatment Best For Session Time Results Timeline Maintenance
Counterstrain Therapy Acute muscle guarding 30-45 min Immediate As needed
Muscle Energy Technique Facet and SI dysfunction 30-45 min 1-2 sessions As needed
Myofascial Release Chronic tightness and restriction 30-60 min 2-4 weeks Monthly
Core Strengthening with Emsculpt Neo Deep core support and prevention 30 min 4-8 weeks Quarterly
Person concerned about persistent back pain at Resurgent Health Fargo

You May Be Experiencing Back Pain If...

Recognizing When to Seek Help

  • Morning Stiffness
  • Pain With Sitting
  • Sharp Catches
  • Weak or Fatigued Core
  • Recurring Episodes
  • Sleep Disruption

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a doctor about back pain right away?

Seek urgent care if you have loss of bladder or bowel control, saddle-area numbness, progressive leg weakness, fever, unexplained weight loss, a history of cancer, or IV drug use. These red flags require imaging and workup rather than hands-on therapy.

How is acute back pain different from chronic back pain?

Acute back pain lasts under 6 weeks and is usually mechanical, subacute runs 6 to 12 weeks, and chronic pain persists beyond 12 weeks. Chronic cases typically involve deconditioning of the deep core and often benefit from combining OMT with Emsculpt Neo core work.

Does osteopathic manipulative therapy actually help low back pain?

Yes. A 2014 meta-analysis found OMT produced statistically significant reductions in low back pain compared with control interventions, and the American College of Physicians lists spinal manipulation among first-line non-drug treatments.

How does Emsculpt Neo help with back pain?

Emsculpt Neo uses HIFEM technology to trigger supramaximal contractions in the deep core, including the transversus abdominis. Rebuilding that internal support offloads the lumbar spine so surface muscles are not carrying pain-driving load alone.

How many OMT sessions will I need?

Many patients notice meaningful improvement within 1 to 3 osteopathic sessions for acute pain. Chronic patterns typically need 4 to 8 visits combined with core strengthening and simple home movement to hold the results.

Can I still exercise while my back is flaring?

Usually yes. We generally recommend staying gently active rather than resting in bed, and we can guide you on which movements to modify. Walking, hip mobility, and controlled diaphragmatic breathing tend to help more than complete rest.

Is imaging necessary before treatment?

For mechanical back pain without red flags, imaging in the first 6 weeks does not improve outcomes and can be misleading. We reserve MRI or X-ray for patients whose symptoms suggest specific pathology or who fail conservative care.

Location5621 36th Ave S, Ste 400
Fargo, ND, 58104
Emailadmin@resurgenthealth.net
Phone(701) 599-3950

Contact Us Today

Send us a message for more information - DPC membership, a discovery call, or any other service you'd like to ask about.

Scientific References

  1. PubMed (PMID: 25175885) - Franke H, et al. Osteopathic manipulative treatment for nonspecific low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis (BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2014) found OMT significantly reduced pain and improved function versus control.
  2. PubMed (PMID: 28192789) - Qaseem A, et al. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline (Ann Intern Med, 2017) recommends non-drug therapies including spinal manipulation as first-line care.
  3. PubMed (PMID: 29573872) - Foster NE, et al. Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions (Lancet, 2018) reviews global disability burden and evidence-based conservative care pathways.
  4. PubMed (PMID: 29573870) - Hartvigsen J, et al. What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention (Lancet, 2018) confirms low back pain as the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide.
  5. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - Patient education on back pain prevalence, evaluation, and evidence-based treatment options.
  6. American Osteopathic Association - Overview of osteopathic manipulative treatment techniques and indications for musculoskeletal pain.