Does Physical Therapy Help With Back Pain?

Having a healthy back is one of those things we all take for granted.  You don’t realize how wonderful it is to be able to move freely, with no pain, until you can’t.  Getting out of bed, picking up something you’ve dropped, and even showering; it can all be extremely difficult when you’ve hurt your back.  If any of this sounds familiar, know that you are far from alone.

Back Pain Statistics

The number of people with back pain may surprise you.  According to the website medlineplus.gov:

“Back pain is one of the most common medical problems, affecting 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives. Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain comes on suddenly and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Back pain is called chronic if it lasts for more than three months.”

The causes of back pain vary greatly from person to person.  It can be something as small as a sneeze that sends one reeling into pain for week after week, or perhaps a car accident has led to the ongoing back problems.  However, in many cases, the cause of the low back pain is never determined; it’s something that just “happens.” How often does this occur?  A staggering 80% of the time, according to The Cleveland Clinic.

The good news is that you don’t need to pinpoint a cause to begin treatments.  Even better: you have a long list of options that have proven successful for thousands of people experiencing back pain just like you!

Treatments For Lower Back Pain

In only some scenarios will surgery be an option, and you’ll discuss this with your doctor upon receiving a proper diagnosis and – in most cases – trying other forms of treatment first.  Those may include:

Gentle exercise: You may be encouraged to do moderate exercise to keep your back from getting stiff and also to keep the blood flowing to the area where you are experiencing pain.

Stretching:  In addition to exercise, there are specific ways to stretch your back that will keep the pain at bay.

Rest: Before either of the above, you may be advised to take it easy and keep movement to a minimum to promote proper healing.

Ice/Heat: You may be advised to do one or the other or rotate ice and heat applications throughout the day for a certain time period.

Medications:  Some doctors recommend over the counter or prescription pain relievers (such as Ibuprofen) to reduce inflammation.

Physical Therapy: This is always an excellent option, and your physical therapist can pinpoint the source of pain, other areas associated with it, and target those areas on a regular basis.

Physical Therapy For Back Pain

Many people find themselves asking the question, “Does physical therapy help back pain?”  We’re happy to answer that yes, in most cases, physical therapy can dramatically reduce or completely eliminate the pain you’ve been experiencing.

Are you ready to get rid of your back pain once and for all?  Call us today to get started at (800) 481-4582.  Let’s do this together!