Here’s a fact about back pain that may bring you some comfort: it’s one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in the world. Around 80% of people will have back pain at least once. So, if you’re suffering now, you probably aren’t the only one!

Of course, that thought does little to help if your back pain keeps you from performing day-to-day activities — as it often does. Back pain is often accompanied by mobility restrictions that make walking, rising from sitting, or bending over difficult. And if left untreated, it can sometimes lead to long-term pain and dysfunction.

At Carlson Procare Physical Therapy, we know how debilitating back pain can be. Our team of dedicated physical therapists will help you understand the cause or causes of your back pain and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that will let you get back to the activities you love to do.

What Causes Back Pain?

One of the reasons that back pain is so common is that it’s associated with several different injuries, underlying conditions, or lifestyle factors. That said, most back pain is non-specific, meaning it’s not caused by a particular disease or structural problem, but rather by mechanical issues. Mechanical issues are difficult to pinpoint and may include multiple tissues in and around the spinal joints. 

The first step in treating your back pain is understanding what’s contributing to it. Our therapists will perform a comprehensive evaluation to help us learn as much as possible about your experience with back pain, including screening for any weakness, mobility limitations, and dysfunctional movement strategies you may have.

Here are some of the more common sources of back pain that we see at our clinic:

• Strains and Sprains: A strain occurs when you injure the muscles in your back. A sprain occurs when you injure the ligaments that link your spinal vertebrae. Both can cause pain and limited mobility, and they often result from lifting with improper form (such as twisting while lifting) or attempting to lift something too heavy.
• Herniated Discs: Soft, flexible discs separate and cushion your spinal vertebrae. If one of those discs herniates — that is, protrudes outward — and irritates a nearby nerve, it can lead to intense pain, feeling “stuck” in a stooped over position, and often causes pain down the leg, known as sciatica.
• Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world, occurring when the cartilage and bone tissue in a joint degenerate and become inflamed. While we often associate it with the hips, knees, or hands, it can occur in the spine, too. Spinal osteoarthritis is sometimes called spondylosis.
• Lifestyle Factors: Several factors can contribute to lower back pain, including improper posture, prolonged sitting, or weakness in the muscles that wrap and support your spine (your core muscles).

Why Physical Therapy at Carlson Procare Physical Therapy Is Your Back Pain Solution

While back pain often resolves on its own within 1-3 months, physical therapy can be helpful to identify and correct underlying issues (such as muscle weakness and movement dysfunction) to minimize the likelihood of back pain recurring in the future. Physical therapy is also an excellent choice for people with intense pain, extremely restricted mobility, and those with chronic back pain — defined as pain that lingers past the three-month mark.

We customize all our back pain treatment plans according to your specific needs, including the location and severity of your pain, any mobility restrictions, your activity level, and your overall goals. We’ll work to address the underlying issues causing your pain rather than simply masking the symptoms.

How will we do this? Through a blend of the following techniques:

• Manual therapy helps manage pain, promote blood circulation, and improve mobility.
• A personalized therapeutic exercise plan improves the strength, flexibility, and endurance of your back and core muscles. Muscle weakness significantly contributes to lower back pain, so exercise is a must.
• Specialized training, such as proper techniques and activities that simulate functional movements you’ll need to perform (i.e., squats, lunges, lifting, etc.).
• Prevention strategies help reduce future back pain incidents. These strategies might include postural corrections or suggestions for at-home exercises, such as a walking program or regular strength and mobility practice.

Sources: https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-low-back-pain, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32669487/, https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004057.pub3/full