Lower Back Pain Care from a Team That Works Together

Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons adults seek health care in the United States, and it rarely has one neat explanation. It can build slowly from long hours sitting or driving, flare up after lifting something awkwardly, or hang around long after you expected it to be gone. Sleeping, bending to tie your shoes, and getting out of the car can all start to take planning.

At Brookings Chiropractic Center & Physical Therapy, our team helps patients from Brookings, Volga, White, and Aurora find what is driving their lower back pain and build a plan to move comfortably again. Dr. Trevor Penning, Dr. Jonathan Schneider, and Dr. Steven Clites are Doctors of Chiropractic, and Brenda Buus, PT, brings 27+ years of physical therapy experience. Because everyone works in the same clinic, your care stays connected instead of scattered across separate offices.

What Causes Lower Back Pain?

Your lower back, or lumbar spine, carries much of your body weight and does a lot of the bending and twisting in your day. Pain there can come from irritated joints, strained muscles and ligaments, or a disc pressing on a nearby nerve, and often from more than one at a time.

Back pain is usually sorted by how long it lasts: acute (under 4 weeks), subacute (4 to 12 weeks), or chronic (more than 12 weeks). The American College of Physicians recommends starting with non-drug options such as heat, massage, acupuncture, or spinal manipulation for acute and subacute lower back pain. Pain that keeps returning, lingers, or travels into your buttock or leg (often called sciatica) is worth having evaluated.

How We Treat Lower Back Pain in Brookings, SD

Your first visit starts with listening. We ask how the pain began, what makes it better or worse, and what you need to get back to doing. From there, your plan may include a combination of:

Acupuncture is also available at our clinic when it suits your situation. Not everyone needs every service, and you will get our honest recommendation. If your symptoms call for care beyond what we provide, we will say so and point you to the right provider.

If your pain started in a collision or on the job, see our pages on auto accident and whiplash care and workers' compensation injury care.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

You do not need a referral, and you can book online whenever you are ready.
search

We Evaluate

You tell us how the pain started, and we examine how you move to find the likely source.
chat

We Explain and Plan

You hear what we found in plain language, along with a recommended plan and what to expect from it.
fitness_center

We Treat and Track Progress

Care begins when it is a good fit for you, and we adjust the plan as your back improves.

What Better Can Look Like

Every back is different, so we do not promise a timeline. We do set clear goals with you, and these are the ones we commonly work toward:

  • Less pain when you sit, stand, bend, and lift
  • Better sleep, with fewer nights spent shifting around to get comfortable
  • Confidence to return to work, sports, and weekends without guarding your back

We also teach you what to do between visits, so the progress you make in our clinic carries over into your everyday life.

Meet the Team Treating Your Back Pain

Three Doctors of Chiropractic and a physical therapist, all in one Brookings clinic.

Dr. Trevor Penning, DC: Doctor of Chiropractic, Northwestern Health Sciences University. Patient-centered care focused on relieving pain and restoring daily function.

Dr. Jonathan Schneider, DC: Doctor of Chiropractic, Northwestern Health Sciences University. Focuses on restoring function, not just controlling pain, for everyday patients and athletes.

Dr. Steven Clites, DC: Doctor of Chiropractic with a biology degree from South Dakota State University. Grew up in Brookings and refers patients out when their needs go beyond our clinic.

Brenda Buus, PT: Master of Science in Physical Therapy, University of South Dakota. Practicing since 1997 and with our clinic since 2007, including orthopedic and post-surgical rehab.

Frequently Asked Questions

Either can be a good starting point, and many people benefit from both. Here you do not have to choose. Our chiropractors and physical therapist share the same clinic, so your plan can include adjustments, exercise, and hands-on therapy as your back calls for it.
It varies from person to person. Many sudden episodes improve considerably within about a month, and pain that lasts more than 12 weeks is considered chronic. If your pain is not improving, keeps coming back, or is getting worse, it is worth having it evaluated rather than waiting it out.
No. You can call or book online directly to get evaluated.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if your back pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in your groin or inner thighs, a fever, leg weakness that is getting worse quickly, or if it follows a serious fall or accident. These situations are uncommon, but they need care right away.

We see patients throughout Brookings, Volga, White, and Aurora, South Dakota.

Ready to Get Your Back Moving Again?

Our goal is to get you out of pain and back to what you want to be doing, whether that is a full day of work, a weekend game, or a good night of sleep. Brenda Buus, PT, has been part of our team since 2007, and our chiropractors are here to help you take the first step. We serve patients throughout Brookings, Volga, White, and Aurora.

Book Now