Physical Therapy for Back Pain
Back pain—mild or severe—affects everything. We’ve all fallen victim to it before. What can start as a minor ache turns into staying home from work, inability to drive, and more. If you’ve been experiencing back pain for more than 1-2 weeks or if you’re experiencing recurring back pain, it’s time to feel some relief. Physical therapy is the first non-surgical method of treating back pain. How can physical therapy reduce back pain? How can physical therapy treat and diagnose back pain? Find out now.
Causes of Back Pain
The first stage of any physical therapy program is understanding the root of the pain. Pain experienced in the lower back could actually be radiating from a problem with the hips, or the result of an underlying problem such as arthritis or osteoporosis. It takes careful attention and expertise to diagnose exactly what part of the body needs to be addressed.
A common cause of back pain is a muscle or ligament strain. If you’ve done any type of repetitive heavy lifting or turning, this could be the culprit. Nurses, masons, warehouse workers, and more jobs like these involve continuous heavy lifting and increased susceptibility to back injuries. While a muscle strain might seem like a simple injury, it can result in severe amounts of pain and muscle spasms.
Back pain is also commonly connected to herniated or ruptured disks. A herniated disk (also referred to as bulging disk) results in back pain that’s typically accompanied by leg pain or sciatica as well. Herniated disks can produce severe pain, but countless patients experience significant relief within weeks of their physical therapy program. Your spine is made up of stacked vertebrae, sandwiched in between those are disks. Those disks act as shock absorbers for your back, which is essential for you to be able to run, jump, and so forth. The disk becomes herniated when the soft inner portion of the disk begins to push through the disk’s outer protective layer. This herniation can happen from age and ongoing pressure put on it, from a fall, or injury.
It’s important for a licensed physical therapist to examine your back to assess exactly where the pain originates, what motions you’re struggling to perform, and where you might be lacking strength. Attempting to address the pain yourself might result in some relief, but not ultimately solve the problem.
“There were days when I had severe back pains and Joe worked miracles. Even in pain he will put a smile on your face. Lori, and Joe will get the job done! When I expressed my pain he knows exactly what I’m talking about each time and finds working solutions.”
Treatment for Back Pain
Your Physical Therapist will examine your back’s functionality and combine those findings with your individual goals to create a tailored therapy program. They’ll put together a plan that focuses on reducing inflammation, relieving pressure, and training your muscles properly. It’s extremely common for the root cause of back pain to be improper form. Whether that’s poor posture or twisting while lifting, it can cause severe back pain in the end. If your pain or injury is related to your work, your Physical Therapist isn’t going to ask you to quit your job. He’s going to work on strengthening the muscles around your injury and training you to use them the right way.
Physical therapy is a safe, effective, non-surgical method for treating back pain. Since physical therapy is based on a combination of stretches, exercises, and ingraining healthy postural habits, it’s effective for preventing further pain as well. The exact exercises and whether they will include other parts of the body depends on the cause of pain, as well as other patient circumstances.
Physical therapy for back pain will typically include:
- Applying heat or ice to the affected area, depending on the program.
- Stretches designed to minimize future flare-ups.
- Active exercises designed to stabilize the lower back and provide posterior support.
- Hands-on physical therapy and treatments such as Blood Flow Restriction Therapy.
- Carefully crafted home exercise program.
Your physical therapist is there to guide you every step of the way. An experienced physical therapist knows exactly what questions to ask and signs to look for.
Why Visit a Physical Therapist for Back Pain?
Your physical therapist is there to help you master your technique. With improper form, the same exercises that are designed to heal you could actually harm you. By using the wrong muscles, favoring one side of the body, or improperly balancing your weight, such exercises can have a completely different effect on your body. Your physical therapist is there to guide you every step of the way. An experienced physical therapist knows exactly what questions to ask and signs to look for, indicating you’re executing the exercise properly.
What can physical therapy do for back pain?
- Soothe affected muscles and provide immediate relief
- Prevent recurring pain or flare-ups
- Reduce stiffness and increase mobility
Best Physical Therapy in Reading, PA
When you plan a visit to our office, you’ll be seen by our physical therapist, Joe Miller. Joe has spent over 30-years serving patients in the Reading and Berks area. He’ll listen to your symptoms and concerns, conduct a careful assessment, and put together a care plan to get you feeling your best. He’ll guide you through every step of your physical therapy plan. You won’t be caught off guard by any methods or treatment technique. We keep our patients informed and comfortable throughout their entire appointment. If you’re experiencing recurring or worsening pain in your back, plan your visit and start feeling some relief.
