If you are living with chronic back pain, you know how limiting it can be to your daily life. It can hurt to sleep, it can hurt to get up out of bed, and it can hurt to bend over or pick your child up. Dealing with back pain day in and out gets old!
The good news is that back pain does not have to be a part of your life forever. Taking preventive measures, such as working with a physical therapist, can help you achieve long-term relief from back pain. For more information on how physical therapy can help you with your back discomfort.
Finding the Source of Your Back Pain with a Physical Therapist
During your first meeting with a physical therapist, you will begin by discussing your symptoms. Your therapist will also go through your medical history to see if there have been any previous injuries or ailments that may be contributing to your current discomfort. In addition, your physical therapist will perform an examination to determine how well you can move and function at your current pain level.
Suppose your physical therapist suspects that a severe health condition is contributing to your back pain after administering a series of tests. In that case, you will be referred to a specialist for more testing. In most circumstances, this will not be necessary.
After this information is collected, your physical therapist will create an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs. Treatment plans will include both passive and active treatment methods.It is likely that your physical therapist will also provide you with gentle stretches and exercises to do on your own to maintain the progress you make during your sessions.
The Three Main Types of Back Pain
There are three main types of back pain:
- Acute Back Pain: The most common type of back pain. This is a temporary pain that goes away in less than three months.
- Recurrent Back Pain: When acute back pain goes away for a while but returns on a regular basis, it is known as recurrent back pain.
- Chronic Back Pain: If back pain lasts longer than three months without subsiding, it is classified as chronic.
Acute back pain is typically not serious and usually goes away independently. However, recurring and chronic back pain can be signs of more serious health problems. Back pain can be caused by a variety of physical conditions, including osteoporosis, degenerative disk disease, a herniated disk, fractures, or lumbar spinal stenosis.
Available Treatments in Physical Therapy.
Following the diagnosis of your back pain, a personalized course of physical therapy will be recommended for you. Your back pain treatment plan will differ depending on your diagnosis, age, weight, physical ability, and other factors. Your treatment plan may include any of the following:
- Education on how to take better care of your back, such as proper methods of lifting, bending, sitting, and sleep positions
- Hot or cold treatments, or electrical stimulation, for pain relief
- Posture work to provide better support for your back
- Stretching and strength-building exercises
- Manual therapy and spinal manipulation to improve joint mobility and relieve tissue pain
Your progress will be monitored as you work with a physical therapist to ensure that you are recovering and healing from your pain. At (Practice Name) our goal is to alleviate your pain so you can get back to living your normal life. When you work with one of our physical therapists, you will learn proper movement strategies and learn how to carry out daily tasks in a manner that will help you avoid reoccurring pain.
For example, your therapist may demonstrate proper posture techniques to employ while you are at home, at work, or engaged in leisure activities. You will also learn how to maintain a regular exercise regimen to keep your supportive muscles strong and prevent the back pain from returning. If your weight is contributing to your back pain, you will receive nutritional advice as well as exercise tips to help you control your weight and keep your back pain at bay.
Finally, Take a Stand Against Your Back Pain, Contact (Practice Name) Today!
The key is to be proactive in dealing with back pain. If the pain lasts more than three months, it is unlikely to go away on its own. Call our office today to make an appointment with one of our skilled physical therapists. We at (Practice Name) are looking forward to treating you.
