Don’t let this condition rule your life.
Are you suffering from chronic pain in your lower back?
According to Healthline, at least 80% of Americans will experience low back pain in their lifetime. That’s a startling statistic for such an uncomfortable condition. Most back pain is the result of an injury or degenerative condition, and dealing with it can seriously get in the way of your everyday routine.
If you or a loved one is struggling with debilitating back pain, rest assured that help does exist for your condition. You don’t have to live in constant pain. Our physical therapists are movement specialists and will not only be able to treat your pain, but also get to the root cause of it, create a personalized treatment plan just for you, and help prevent injury in the future. Call our office today for more information, or to make an appointment!
What is chronic back pain?
Back pain that has been present for more than three months is referred to as chronic back pain. It may result from stress, disease, or injury. It can vary and may be experienced as muscle pain, nerve pain, or bone pain.
Your chronic pain may be achy, sharp, dull, vague, or well-defined, and it can range from mild to severe. It may occur constantly, or only present itself when you perform certain actions, such as getting up from a chair or when driving.
Common causes of chronic pain
Chronic low back pain can be due to a variety of things. The ligaments and muscles in the back area can tear or stretch due to activity, such as lifting and recreational sports. You may experience stiffness, pain, and muscle spasms.
The lumbar discs are prone to injury, especially with age. If you have a herniated disc, the cartilage surrounding the disc pushes against the nerve roots or spinal cord. It can result in compressing the nerve roots and causing pain. Typically, a herniated disc occurs from twisting the back or lifting.
A few common reasons for pain in the back include some of the following conditions:
- Strains – Strains occur when muscles are torn or stretched outside of their limits.
- Disc Injury – Risk of disk injury increases with age. The outside of the disc can tear or herniate, causing immense pain.
- Sciatica – This can occur with a herniated disk as it presses on the sciatic nerve. This nerve is long and connects the spine to the legs. Pain can occur in the lower back region and radiate to the legs and feet, causing you to feel sensations such as burning or tingling. Symptoms include tingling or burning sensations in the legs and feet.
- Abnormal spine curvatures – The abnormal curvature causes pain and poor posture because it places pressure on muscles, tendons, ligaments, and vertebrae.
- Spinal stenosis – This is a condition when the spinal column narrows. Most often, this is due to disc degeneration, which results in compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. Symptoms include cramping, numbness and weakness and may worsen when walking or standing.
How physical therapy can alleviate your pain
If you have chronic pain, whether it’s mild or severe, trust that you don’t have to continue living this way. With the help of a physical therapist, you can learn how to not only manage your back pain, but possibly also alleviate it entirely!
A physical therapist uses both passive and active methods to alleviate chronic low back pain. Passive treatments include ultrasound, electric stimulation, massage, and hot and cold therapy. Active treatments include stretching and specific exercises.
It’s important to note that physical therapy is nothing to be afraid of! It’s a completely safe, natural, and healthy mode of treatment, especially for those suffering from back pain. At your first appointment, one of our physical therapists will assess your condition, take note of your specific symptoms, and medical history.
They will then design a treatment plan just for you and your specific needs. Your therapist will never ask you to push yourself past your limits to the point of discomfort. If there is anything uncomfortable for you to do, let them know so they can adjust your exercises and stretching routines so that you are able to comfortably perform them without injuring yourself.
The ultimate goal your therapist has for you is to make sure that you are achieving your goals with your treatment. An overall improved quality of life for you is the best possible outcome!
Find relief for your back pain today with physical therapy
If you’re dealing with worrisome chronic back pain, call Spectrum Therapy Consultants today to set up an appointment with one of our trained physical therapists. Back pain doesn’t have to run your life. We’ve helped many others find relief from their pain and we can help you, too!
