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 Movement Specialists 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.
Contact our clinic today to set up your initial consultation!
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 specific disease or specific structural problem, but caused 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 mobility limitations or weakness you’re struggling with.
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 out — and irritates a nearby nerve, it can lead to intense pain, feeling “stuck” in a stooped over position, and often 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 Movement Specialists Physical Therapy Is Your Back Pain Solution
While back pain often resolves on its own within 1-3 months, physical therapy is an excellent choice for people with particularly intense pain or extremely restrictive mobility. It’s also useful for people with chronic back pain — defined as pain that lingers past that three-month mark.
We customize all our back pain treatment plans according to your specific needs: the location and severity of your back pain, any mobility restrictions, your ability level, and 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.
Get Moving Again with Physical Therapy!
Back pain is more than just pain. It can severely restrict your mobility, leading to less exercise and movement, further contributing to pain and dysfunction. The Movement Specialists Physical Therapy team is here to help you break that cycle and find relief from back pain for good.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
OCTOBER IS…
National Physical Therapy Month
Get Your Health Back On Track With Physical Therapy
Have you struggled with pain? Are you dealing with an injury affecting your ability to do your usual routine? Our highly skilled physical therapists can guide you back to health and back to doing what you love!
Whether you have recently had surgery or are recovering from a new injury, physical therapy at Elevate Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine can help.
October is National Physical Therapy Month. Movement Specialists Physical Therapy wants to make sure that you have a reliable source to help you resolve whatever physical condition you face. Our physical therapists are highly trained and experienced in treating musculoskeletal disorders. We understand how important it is to get to the root of the problem and provide solutions that work.
Our team of physical therapists is devoted to helping our patients recover from injuries and pain that are interfering with everyday activities and making life way harder than it should be.
Why Should I Choose Physical Therapy?
There are several reasons to choose physical therapy over costly surgeries and medications. Physical therapy has been shown to not only help resolve pain and improve function, but it is also effective at enhancing your overall health and well-being. One of the most significant benefits of physical therapy is that it can uncover the underlying reasons for your injuries and/or pain. Some of the impairments your physical therapist can help you correct include:
- Loss of motion
- Weakness
- Poor posture and faulty movement patterns
- Gait abnormalities
- Loss of balance
- Coordination deficits
- Neurological impairment
- Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (i.e., poor sleep habits, improper nutrition, lack of exercise, etc.)
Benefits of Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can educate you about ways to move safer, use your energy more efficiently, reduce the risk of re-injury, and enhance the overall effects of your care. The benefits of physical therapy treatments include easing pain, reducing spasms, increasing circulation, and promoting healing.
Physical therapy can help improve your joint range of motion and overall mobility: Our ability to move depends on how individual joints move and how the body’s joints move in concert with one another. Increasing joint range of motion and mobility of the connective tissues around your joints (including the tendons, muscles, fascia, and joint capsules) will help your joints feel better and move better.
This will also help you improve overall functional mobility and activity tolerance, essential for work, leisure, and simple daily functions.
Physical therapy can help strengthen weaknesses and compensation patterns: Through injury or surgery, muscles become weak and impact your ability to move and function normally.
For some, an old injury or abnormal movement pattern has led to weakness due to compensations. Physical therapists are skilled at assessing the whole body, identifying weaknesses, and teaching how to restore strength and function.
Physical therapy can improve your overall health and well-being: When you see a physical therapist for pain and injuries, you will receive rehabilitation benefits to resolve the condition and a total body approach to health.
Physical therapists can recommend nutrition to improve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve overall health. In addition, physical therapists are movement experts and trained to help you move/exercise more, no matter your limitations or restrictions. More activity equals improved health!
Physical therapy can help you reduce the risk of injury: By implementing a holistic approach, we can improve and restore your function and prevent injuries. This may include all components of typical physical therapy and include gait modifications and coordination exercises to stimulate the nervous system and help ensure your mechanics are ideal to avoid an injury.
Call Us Today To Request An Appointment
The mission of our physical therapy clinic is to use compassion, encouragement, and motivation in the treatment of our patients and clients. We provide outstanding and personalized skills as movement and rehabilitation physical therapists through exceedingly high customer service and results!
Our goal is to positively impact people’s lives and improve their quality of life. Your therapy will be centered around helping you get back to doing the things you love without pain. We understand that no two pain conditions are alike, and no two treatment plans should be either.
Contact Movement Specialists Physical Therapy to learn more about National Physical Therapy Month and the benefits of physical therapy.
If you’re struggling with a painful condition or experiencing a physical limitation, our therapists will work with you to ensure your success!
Feta & Herb salmon
Immerse your taste buds in a crescendo of flavors as rich salmon meets the tangy embrace of feta and the aromatic touch of fresh herbs.
Ingredients
- 1 salmon fillet thawed
- 1/2 cup Feta Cheese
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh parsley
- 2 Tbsp roughly chopped fresh chives
- Juice from half a lemon
- 1/8 tsp salt
- Pinch of pepper
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil for easy clean up. Combine parsley, chives, Feta, lemon, salt and pepper on cutting board. Run knife through the combination several times, chopping up all ingredients to mix. Spread combined ingredients on salmon fillet. Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through. Serve!
Exercise of the Month
Angel On Back
Start by lying flat on your back with your arms straight down by your sides, your palms down, and your legs together. Slowly slide both arms straight up over your head and simultaneously slide both legs outward. Slide your arms back down and your legs back in. Repeat 3 sets, 10 reps each.
Did You Know You Can See a Physical Therapist Without a Referral?
Not everyone knows you can go directly to your physical therapist if you are dealing with pain or an injury. It doesn’t matter if you’re dealing with an old or new problem. In all 50 states, you can schedule a visit with one of our therapists to get help sooner than later.
Direct Access is all about having the freedom to make your own decisions without being bound by outdated rules. It allows you to be in charge of your healthcare so you can focus on your recovery instead of waiting for another appointment to get you the help you need today!
Direct Access also helps you save money, schedule when you want, and speeds up your recovery so you can get relief and get back to doing what you love. If you have questions about Direct Access or would like to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist, contact Movement Specialists Physical Therapy now!
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
