Tightened muscles in your neck and back can pull and misalign your vertebrae causing subluxation which can put pressure on the nerves that exit the spinal column at each vertabra. This is responsible for a majority of back pain complaints. Chiropractic adjustments atempt to realign the spinal column and decrease or cease the pressure on the nerves and gel filled discs between each vertabra. However, if the tightened muscles are not treated as well, they will just pull the vertabrae back into misalignment, hence the repeated trips to the chiropractor for relief. Regular massage w/ heat treatments and strengthening exercises can help correct the problem and possibly prevent it from returning in the future.
I would get a complete spinal radiograph before making a self diagnosis as to the cause of pain. If it is just muscle tension...see a massage therapist, If it's a subluxation you can choose either a Physical therapist or chiropractor. It could also be a more serious condition like a herniated, ruptured, or slipped disc, (although these are predominately located lower in the spine of your lumbar region), and if this were to be your case, I would highly suggest consulting with an Orthopaedic physician before any course of treatment is attempted.
Good luck Hon, back pain is no fun.
