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Annex Family Chiropractic

Back pain and sciatica

Lower Back Pain Chiropractor Toronto

By Dr. Joshua Gelber, DC 3 min read

Persistent back pain makes ordinary things hard: sitting through a workday, carrying groceries, playing with your kids. When pain lingers beyond a few weeks, it usually means something more than a passing strain. At Annex Family Chiropractic, I start by understanding what's happening beneath the surface, rather than masking discomfort. A hands-on assessment and scans show where the problem is, so your plan targets the cause instead of chasing symptoms.

Whole-person care

Care works best when it looks at the whole person. Spinal alignment, muscle tension, posture habits and even stress all shape how your body carries pain. Your plan combines adjustments with home exercises and lifestyle guidance, and we track your progress as we go, adjusting the approach as you get stronger.

Sciatica care in Toronto

Nerve pain that travels down the leg often catches people off guard, sometimes starting with something as simple as bending awkwardly to lift. Many people come to us for sciatica. I look at how your low back and pelvis move and test how the nerves to your legs are working, then explain what I find before we talk about care.

Common causes of lower back pain

  • Long hours of sitting at a poorly set-up desk
  • Repetitive heavy lifting with poor form
  • Weak core muscles that don't support the spine
  • Sudden twisting during sports or chores
  • Sleeping on an unsupportive mattress

Spotting these patterns early makes it easier to change them before a minor strain becomes a lasting problem.

Meet Dr. Joshua Gelber

I earned an Honours Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from York University, then my Doctorate of Chiropractic from Logan University in Missouri. I have been in practice since 2004, and Annex Family Chiropractic grew out of those years of clinical experience. Meet Dr. Gelber.

Herniated and bulging discs

Disc pain can feel unpredictable, easing one day and flaring the next. I assess first, usually with X-rays, to understand what is going on. If chiropractic is a good fit, care focuses on spinal movement and core-strengthening exercises that support the muscles around your spine. If it isn't, we will recommend another health professional.

How I assess lower back pain

Care starts with an accurate diagnosis, not assumptions. I evaluate posture, spinal mobility, muscle strength, nerve function and balance before recommending anything, so care addresses what is actually causing your pain.

How posture habits add up

Slouching at a desk or hunching over a phone gradually shifts the load on your spine, putting uneven pressure on discs and muscles. Over months, that can mean stiffness and reduced flexibility. Targeted exercises and better ergonomics help spread the load more evenly.

Signs it's time for an evaluation

  • Stiffness that doesn't improve with stretching
  • Pain that travels into the hips or legs
  • Reduced range of motion in daily tasks
  • Frequent headaches linked to neck tension
  • Uneven shoulders or hips when you stand

What care involves

Lasting change takes more than one adjustment. A plan usually combines spinal adjustments, home exercises and, where it helps, spinal traction, with regular reassessment so it keeps pace with your progress.

How long it takes

Everyone heals differently, depending on how severe the problem is and how long you've had it. After your exam, on your second visit, I'll give you an honest estimate based on what I find.

Stretches for sciatica

Movement between visits matters. Stretches such as the seated spinal twist, knee-to-chest pull and piriformis stretch can help ease tension around the sciatic nerve. Ease into each one slowly and stop if you feel sharp pain. Ask me which suit you before you start.

Book your appointment

A focused evaluation shows exactly what's contributing to your pain and gives you a clear roadmap instead of guesswork. Book online or call 416-967-4466.

Ready to take the first step?

If something has been bothering you, or you're simply ready to understand your spinal health better, let's start with an evaluation. We'll look at what's going on, discuss what we find, and work out whether we're a good fit to move forward together.