Back pain continues to be one of the most common reasons San Diegans slow down, stop exercising, or avoid the activities they love. Whether it’s from long hours at a desk, intense workouts, old injuries, or just years of wear and tear, back pain can quietly take over your life.
In 2025, there are a few techniques people turn to first when back pain strikes. Some can help temporarily, but only one approach has helped nearly 2,000 San Diegans over the last four years get out of pain and back to their active lifestyle for good.
Let’s break down the most common options.
One of the first things most people reach for when their back starts hurting is a heating pad.
And for good reason:
Heat can help relax tight muscles and increase blood flow, which may reduce stiffness and discomfort in the short term.
However, while heating pads can feel great, they don’t address why the pain is there in the first place. Once the heat is gone, the pain often returns, sometimes within hours.
Another common solution is over-the-counter pain medication.
These can temporarily reduce pain and inflammation, which is why so many people rely on them day after day. But long-term use comes with real downsides:
Pain relievers can quiet symptoms, but they don’t correct movement issues, muscle imbalances, or joint restrictions that often cause back pain in the first place. That’s why so many people feel like their pain disappears… only to come right back.
The biggest issue with most common back pain solutions is that they treat symptoms, not sources.
Back pain is rarely just a “back problem.” It’s often caused by:
Until the true source is identified, relief tends to be temporary.
Over the past four years, nearly 2,000 San Diegans have found lasting relief through something called a Targeted Relief Session — and chances are, you’ve never heard of it.
A Targeted Relief Session is a complimentary 30-minute session led by a Doctor of Physical Therapy — not an aide, assistant, or technician.
During this session:
And unlike a traditional consultation, you don’t just talk about pain, you often experience immediate relief during the session through techniques such as:
The goal isn’t just to help you feel better that day, it’s to show you what’s possible when the root cause is finally addressed.
Targeted Relief Sessions are offered at no cost because they’re designed to help people understand:
Because these sessions are led exclusively by Doctors of Physical Therapy, availability is limited each week.
If you’re tired of temporary fixes and want real answers about your back pain, a Targeted Relief Session may be the next step.
👉 Click below to learn more and see if you qualify for a complimentary 30-minute Targeted Relief Session.
Your body was designed to move, and lasting relief may be closer than you think.