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Back Pain Relief With Physical Therapy

Written By Pro Physio on April 6, 2018

Back Pain Relief

 

Back Pain Physical Therapy Bozeman Belgrade MontanaIf you are reading this thenyou are likely one of the nearly two-thirds of Americans that have a history of low back pain. According to the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) “Move Forward” Low Back Pain survey, 37 percent of those people in pain do NOT seek professional help for back pain relief. After reading this, you will have a better understanding of what causes back pain and more importantly: How you can achieve back pain relief! Additionally, you may be interested to know that because of direct access, you can see a physical therapist without going to your doctor for a referral. Not having to wait to see your doctor for a referral allows the person experiencing low back pain to begin the process of back pain relief in a timely manner.

 

 

Low back Pain Categories

  1. Acute low back pain- comes on suddenly and lasts for a few days to a few weeks.
  2. Subacute low back pain- lasts 6 weeks to 3 months.
  3. Chronic back pain- lower back pain that lasts longer than 3 months.

 

 

Typical Causes of Low Back Pain?

 

  • Muscle or ligament strain Heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement may strain back muscles and spinal ligaments.

  • Muscle spasms - People that work in jobs that require repetitive lifting, bending or twisting may develop back pain. Constant strain on your back can cause painful muscle spasms.

  • Bulging or herniated discs- Discs act as cushions between the bones (vertebrae) in your spine. The soft material inside a disc can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve.
  • Arthritis- Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis of the back. Loss of cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones can cause irritation, further damage and new formation of bone called spurs. The spurs can in turn cause more pain.
  • Osteoporosis- Your spine's vertebrae can develop compression fractures if your bones become porous and brittle.
  • Skeletal irregularities- Back pain can occur if your spine curves abnormally. Too much or too little curve in your back can cause pain. Scoliosis, a condition in which your spine curves to the side, can also lead to back pain.
  • Poor posture- Weak core and tight hip muscles can place strain on the thoracolumbar fascia which in turn causes back pain. Sedentary work demands can contribute to poor posture and back pain.

 

How Can Physical Therapy Help Back Pain?

Physical therapy is the safest and most conservative treatment option for all of the above listed causes of back pain. In our country, there is an opioid pain medication epidemic. Americans continue to be prescribed medications to manage their back pain. Unfortunately these prescription pain medications are often overutilized or poorly manged, and patients and non-patients continue to abuse opioids at alarming rates. The American Physical Therapy Association has been raising awareness through the #ChoosePT campaign to promote physical therapy as a responsible and effective alternative to prescription pain medication. Additionally, a recent study has shown that physical therapy is as effective as surgery for spinal stenosis and less risky.

Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(7):465-473.DOI: 10.7326/M14-1420

 

 

What is Physical Therapy for Back Pain Relief?

A licensed physical therapist will complete a comprehensive evaluation and formulate a treatment plan. Depending on the outcome of your evaluation you will attend PT one to three times a week for 4 to 12 weeks. Physical therapy at Pro Physio will include some or all of the following.

 

  • Modalities- heat, ice, ultrasound, muscle e-stim, cold laser.
  • Spinal traction (decompression)- benefits include distraction to increase the intervertebral space, tensing of the posterior longitudinal vertebral ligament and suction to draw the disc protrusion towards the center of the joint.
  • Therapeutic exercise- stretching, strengthening, range of motion exercises.
  • Neuromuscular re-education- postural exercises, balance exercises.
  • Manual therapies- hands-on techniques including but not limited to manipulation and or mobilization of soft tissues and joint structures
  • FAKTR- each member of our physical therapy team is trained in the application of FAKTR or Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehab. FAKTR incorporates the latest research and evidence-based soft-tissue techniques into a comprehensive rehabilitation system to treat common musculoskeletal disorders and complicated injuries.

 

Back Pain Physical Therapy Exercises Pro Physio Bozeman Belgrade Montana

 

 

When to Seek Help for Back Pain?

 

Call our office to schedule a physical therapy appointment:

  • If you have constant or intense pain that lasts more than 1-2 days and does not improve with rest. Resting for more than two days can actually do more harm than good.
  • If you have sub-acute or chronic low back pain that affects your quality of life.

 

Seek emergency medical care for severe low back pain associated with the following situations:

    • After a high-impact car crash, bad fall or sports injury
    • You are experiencing changes in bowel or bladder
    • You have a high fever

 

 


 

This information is brought to you as a community service by the Low Back Pain Physical Therapy Specialists at Pro Physio, proudly serving Bozeman and Belgrade, Montana with advanced and personialized physical therapy services.Back Pain Physical therapy Bozeman Belgrade Montana


Posted In: Low Back Physical Therapy