At Life in Motion Chiropractic, we don’t just manage your pain — we find the root cause and build a personalized plan to fix it for good, without medication or surgery.
What’s Causing Your Back Pain?
Back pain is one of the most common conditions we treat — and also one of the most misunderstood. Because it has so many possible causes, getting an accurate diagnosis is essential. In fact, the wrong treatment approach can delay your recovery by months.
That’s why, before recommending any plan, Dr. Dockery performs a thorough evaluation. This typically includes a detailed health history, orthopedic testing, and — when needed — on-site digital X-rays reviewed the same day.
Common Back Pain Conditions We Treat
Our Approach to Back Pain Relief
Unlike a one-size-fits-all approach, your treatment at Life in Motion is built around your specific diagnosis, lifestyle, and goals — whether that means getting back to work, sleeping through the night, or keeping up with your family. As a result, most patients see meaningful improvement within the first few weeks.
Chiropractic adjustments are the cornerstone of our back pain treatment. Specifically, Dr. Dockery uses targeted spinal manipulation to restore proper joint motion and relieve nerve pressure. He is trained in 7+ techniques — including Diversified, Thompson, Gonstead, COX Flexion/Distraction, and the gentle ArthroStim instrument — and therefore matches the approach to your comfort level and condition. Learn about all our techniques →
In addition to adjustments, our LightForce Class 4 laser penetrates deep into tissues to reduce inflammation, release pain-relieving endorphins, and accelerate tissue repair. Consequently, many patients notice reduced pain and improved mobility within just a few sessions — with no medication and no downtime. Learn about laser therapy →
Furthermore, every patient receives a customized exercise plan based on the best available evidence for their condition. These are taught in-office so you perform them correctly, and are available to review at home through our Rehab Exercise Library. Because these exercises address the root cause — not just the symptoms — they are a key reason our results last.
Therapeutic massage complements chiropractic care by relaxing tight muscles and reducing tension throughout the surrounding soft tissue. As a result, patients who combine massage with adjustments typically experience faster, longer-lasting relief. Learn about massage therapy →
We also use intersegmental traction tables to gently mobilize and decompress the spine before or after an adjustment. This is especially effective for disc injuries and patients with acute pain who need a lower-impact approach.
Finally, hands-on treatment of the muscles surrounding the spine is essential for accelerating recovery and preventing pain from returning. This is often combined with chiropractic adjustments during the same visit for a more complete treatment session.
Who We Help
Back pain doesn’t discriminate. Whether your pain started suddenly or has built up over years, we see patients from all walks of life. For instance, some of the most common people we help include:
Desk workers and remote employees with postural neck and lower back pain
Drivers and delivery workers who spend hours sitting behind the wheel
Athletes and active adults dealing with sports-related injuries
People recovering from auto accidents with lingering back or neck pain
Patients who’ve tried medication and want a drug-free alternative
Anyone dealing with chronic pain they’ve been told to “just live with”
Were you involved in an auto accident? Even when a collision seems minor, the impact can cause significant damage to the spine and surrounding muscles that doesn’t become obvious until days or weeks later.
Why Patients in Livonia Choose Life in Motion
Dr. Dockery doesn’t hand you a cookie-cutter adjustment and send you on your way. Instead, every patient receives a thorough diagnosis, a personalized plan with measurable goals, and take-home exercises so you stay on track between visits. Moreover, the entire team — from your first phone call to your last visit — operates with the same standard of care.
“I’m a truck driver and spend most of my day sitting. Since starting here, I haven’t had back pain. Great people, great hours, and very reasonably priced.”
— Ryan T., Life in Motion patient
“You don’t have to live with life-limiting back pain. Dr. Dockery is knowledgeable, professional, and kind. More than once, he’s restored my freedom of movement and quality of life.”
— William A., Life in Motion patient
“I came in with intense SI joint pain. From the first visit, Dr. Dockery was incredibly thorough — he explained what was going on, adjusted me with care, and gave me the right exercises. I noticed real improvement quickly.”
— Kayla J., Life in Motion patient
Read more patient testimonials →
Is Chiropractic Care Proven for Back Pain?
Yes. The American College of Physicians recommends chiropractic and spinal manipulation as a first-line treatment for both acute and chronic low back pain — specifically before turning to prescription medication or invasive procedures. Furthermore, our multi-modal approach — combining adjustments, rehab exercise, and laser therapy — aligns with the best available evidence and consistently produces better long-term outcomes than any single treatment alone.
Additionally, we accept most major insurance plans, making care accessible for most patients. Check your coverage →
Back Pain FAQs
How many visits will I need?
The answer depends on the nature and severity of your condition. After your first visit, Dr. Dockery will outline a personalized care plan with an estimated number of visits and clear, measurable goals. In general, most patients notice meaningful improvement within the first few weeks. See our full FAQ →
Will I receive treatment on my very first visit?
In most cases, yes. After the consultation and examination, Dr. Dockery typically performs the first treatment during that same appointment. As a result, you’ll usually leave feeling better than when you came in. Learn what to expect →
Do you treat back pain from car accidents?
Absolutely. We have extensive experience treating whiplash and lumbar injuries resulting from auto accidents. Because these injuries often go undetected immediately after a collision, it’s important to get evaluated even if you feel fine at first. Learn about our auto accident therapy →
I’ve had chronic back pain for years. Can chiropractic still help?
Yes — in fact, many of our patients come to us after years of struggling with chronic pain. Chronic conditions often respond well to our combination of spinal adjustments, laser therapy, and corrective exercise. The most important step is accurately identifying the underlying structural issue that has been driving the pain.
Does treating back pain also help with neck pain and headaches?
Often, yes. Back pain, neck pain, and headaches or migraines are frequently connected through spinal alignment. Consequently, many patients find that addressing one area improves all three at once.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, we accept most major insurance plans. Check your coverage here →
Same-day and Saturday appointments available. Your new patient exam and treatment are waiting.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke — Low Back Pain Fact Sheet
- Annals of Internal Medicine — Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline (ACP, 2017)
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons — The Burden of Musculoskeletal Disease in the United States