What pain management means here
The phrase pain management can mean many things. In a medical pain clinic it may involve prescriptions, nerve blocks or injections. At Okhowat Chiropractic, it means something narrower and complementary: conservative, drug-free care for musculoskeletal pain, using the tools that fall within chiropractic practice.
That includes spinal and joint adjustments, soft tissue work, therapeutic exercise, posture and ergonomic guidance, and in-office physiological therapies. None of these involve medication or injections, and none replace the care of your medical doctor. They can be used alongside medical treatment, and any decision to lean on them more as function improves should be made with the physician who prescribes for you.
Pain that lasts longer than a few months often involves more than tissue strain. Sleep, stress, activity levels and how much you fear certain movements all influence how pain feels. A useful plan addresses those factors too, in practical, everyday terms.
Pain this approach commonly addresses
Chiropractic pain management focuses on the muscles, joints and spine. These are common complaints it can address.
- Ongoing low back pain
- Back pain that flares with sitting, bending or lifting is one of the most common reasons people seek conservative care. See chronic back pain for more on causes and patterns.
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Stiffness and aching from desk work, driving or sleeping awkwardly may respond to a mix of hands-on care and posture changes.
- Sciatica and nerve-related leg pain
- Pain that travels from the lower back into the leg needs careful screening. Once serious causes are ruled out, conservative care aims to calm the irritated nerve and restore movement.
- Joint pain from arthritis or overuse
- Hips, knees and shoulders affected by wear or repetitive strain may move more comfortably with gentle mobilization and strengthening.
- Pain after an injury that has healed
- Sometimes tissues heal but pain and stiffness linger. Gradual, guided movement can help rebuild confidence and capacity.
- Muscle tension and recurring strains
- Repeated tightness or strains in the same area may point to an imbalance worth addressing with soft tissue work and targeted exercise.
How a pain management plan comes together
The plan is built around what you want to be able to do again, not only around your pain score.
A full picture of your pain
Dr. Okhowat asks how your pain started, how it behaves through the day, what treatments you have tried, and what medications you take. He also asks about sleep, work and stress, since each one can turn pain up or down.
Examination and screening
A physical and neurological exam helps identify which structures are involved and checks for warning signs. If anything suggests a condition that needs medical care, you are referred first.
Hands-on and in-office care
Treatment may combine adjustments or mobilization, soft tissue therapy and physiological therapeutic procedures aimed at easing pain enough to move more freely.
Building your own toolkit
You learn exercises, positions and pacing strategies to manage flare-ups at home. Over time, the goal is for you to rely less on office visits and more on what you can do yourself.
What conservative pain care may offer
No single approach works for everyone, and chronic pain often improves in steps rather than all at once. Many people find benefits like these.
- May ease pain enough to return to walking, working and sleeping more comfortably.
- Can help improve flexibility and strength so everyday tasks feel more manageable.
- Offers drug-free options to discuss with your physician as part of your overall plan.
- Teaches self-management strategies that you can use during a flare-up.
- Aims to reduce how much pain limits the activities you value.
Is this right for me?
This approach may suit you if you have musculoskeletal pain that has been medically evaluated, or pain from a clear mechanical cause such as strain or posture, and you prefer to explore non-drug options. It tends to help most when you are willing to take an active role through exercise and habit changes.
Please do not stop or change any prescribed medication without talking to the physician who prescribed it. And if your pain comes with any of the warning signs below, see a physician or go to an emergency room first.
Often a good fit
- Back, neck or joint pain that has lasted weeks or months
- Your physician has ruled out serious causes and supports conservative care
- You want options that do not involve additional medication or injections
- You are ready to practice exercises and habit changes between visits
See a physician first
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or saddle area
- Progressive weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
- Pain with fever, chills, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer
- Severe pain after a fall, accident or other trauma
- Chest, jaw or arm pain with shortness of breath or sweating (call 911)
- Pain that wakes you at night and does not change with position
- Abdominal pain spreading to the back
If you have any of these, please see a physician or go to urgent care before booking. In an emergency, call 911.
How Dr. Okhowat approaches pain management
Dr. Okhowat earned his Doctor of Chiropractic at Cleveland Chiropractic College, is licensed by the California State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and has more than 19 years of experience helping people work through musculoskeletal pain. Care stays within the boundaries of chiropractic practice, with a referral when another provider is better suited.
His membership as a Diplomate and Fellow of the American Association of Integrative Medicine reflects an interest in care that respects the whole person and works alongside medical treatment. Plans focus on function as much as on pain. Mid Wilshire and Hancock Park are both close to the office near Wilshire and Fairfax.
- DC, Cleveland Chiropractic College
- AAIM Fellow
- AAIM Diplomate, Manipulative and Body Based Practices
- Over 19 years of experience
In one word: Genius.
I was told I needed surgery, and could not move. Six sessions with Dr. Okhowat fixed everything. I've been pain-free for three years now, thanks to his expertise. I recommend all my friends and family to him and everyone's been very pleased with his level of professionalism and the personal care he gives to every patient.
Questions patients ask
Does Okhowat Chiropractic prescribe pain medication or give injections?
No. Care here is chiropractic and non-drug, including adjustments, soft tissue work, exercise and physiological therapies. If you need medication or injections, those come from your physician or a medical pain specialist, and Dr. Okhowat can coordinate with them.
Can a chiropractor help with chronic pain?
For many musculoskeletal conditions, conservative care is a reasonable part of a chronic pain plan. It tends to help most when combined with active exercise and habit changes. Chronic pain is complex, and progress is often gradual.
Can I keep taking my current medications?
Yes. Chiropractic care does not require you to stop any medication. Any change to a prescription should be decided with the physician who prescribed it. Do let the office know what you take, especially blood thinners.
How long before I feel better?
It varies widely. Recent, simple strains may settle within a few weeks, while long-standing pain usually takes longer and improves in stages. Your progress is reviewed regularly so the plan can change if it is not helping.
Will treatment be painful?
Treatment should feel manageable. Some techniques create pressure or mild temporary soreness, but you can ask for gentler options at any time. Exercise is introduced gradually and adjusted to how your body responds.
What can I do at home during a flare-up?
Many people do well with gentle movement rather than full rest, positions that ease the pain, short walks and heat or ice as preferred. Your plan will include specific strategies for your condition and guidance on when to call.
Is chiropractic care a replacement for seeing my doctor?
No. It is meant as a complement to medical care. Your physician should stay informed, and some symptoms always require medical evaluation first. You will be told if another provider would be a better fit.