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I don't think this is a typical case, and I'm not necessarily "anti chiropractor," but I had an injury and started getting regular chiropractic care. Turns out, the treatment he was giving me further exacerbated my injury and I ended up with severely damaged cartilage around my ribs! I couldn't figure out why I was in such unbearable, constant pain.

The only thing that made it better was going go a physical therapist. He told me what was going on, how to rest, and did some light massage, and I was feeling better within 10 days.

I'd go to your doctor first, and see if they recommend PT, chiropractic care, or something else!

My husband has back problems off and on. He first went to his family doctor, who recommended he see a neurosurgeon. I called a friend who was an NP for a neurosurgery practice for a recommendation of who to see. She gave me the name of one, and Hubs called and had his records faxed over. The neurosurgeon recommended he see a physiatrist - a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He saw the physiatrist who prescribed some meds and some PT. He did PT for a few weeks, took the meds (pretty sure it was just high doses of Ibuprofin), and the pain subsided.

Long story short, I'd start with your PCP and ask about a physiatrist or PM&R doc.

ETA: He did see a chiropractor first, and after a few weeks, the chiro said he didn't think he was helping him and was concerned he was making it worse, so he recommended he see his doctor and get an MRI.

Start with your primary care doctor to manage the pain, then I would start seeing a chiropractor. This happens often to my husband and he will go to his doctor and then has to see the chiropractor 3x a week for 2 weeks to get back on track.