In the U.S., ongoing back pain is the leading cause of disability in people under the age of 45. Millions of individuals suffer from it, and too many of these sufferers let their pain go untreated. ProFysio Physical Therapy is here to help.
First, we need to identify what is causing your pain. Any number of factors could be at play, but the root cause of back pain can usually be traced to a misfit in the way your spinal muscles, joints, nerves, and disks move together.
5 of the Most Common Causes of Back Pain
- Lifestyle and Daily Activity: The routine tasks you complete every day may seem harmless, but they could be contributing to the overall back pain you’ve been experiencing recently. From slouching at your desk to wearing uncomfortable shoes to being overweight, your lifestyle is one of the biggest triggers for back pain.
- Accidents and Injuries: If you were involved in an accident, for example a car crash, your back could suffer (even if it doesn’t feel like it right after the collision). Back sprains, strains, and spasms can all result from an accident, whether it’s a car wreck, slip and fall, or something else.
- Arthritis and Osteoarthritis: These joint diseases cause swelling, inflammation, and stiffness. When experienced in the back, the symptoms can be quite painful. People who suffer from osteoarthritis may also feel the pain of the cartilage and bones in their back breaking down.
- Spinal Problems: Any number of spine-related conditions could be causing your back pain. Among the most common are: spinal stenosis, herniated / slipped discs, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, pinched nerves, and more.
- Emotions: Stress is often felt in the back, as people naturally tend to tighten their back muscles when under pressure. The tension that results can be extremely painful. Symptoms of depression and anxiety can also manifest as back pain in some individuals.
Using Physical Therapy to Treat Back Pain
When used to alleviate back pain, physical therapy typically involves a few different components. These can be divided into passive and active categories.
Passive Physical Therapy:
Passive physical therapy modalities focus on decreasing the acute pain
experienced by the patient. They are done
to the patient, rather than
by the patient, which makes them “passive.” Common passive therapies
include heating or icing the pain, applying a TENS unit, using iontophoresis,
and / or doing an ultrasound.
Active Physical Therapy:
Active physical therapy treatments take the form of actual exercise, i.e.
stretching, strengthening, and conditioning. Hamstring stretches can be
extremely beneficial in treating back pain, as can a low-impact aerobic
conditioning routine when practiced 3-4 times a week.
Start Your Physical Therapy Treatment Today. Contact ProFysio ProFysio Physical Therapy.
At ProFysio Physical Therapy, we’re here to help you relieve the back pain that’s been bothering you. We have two office locations in Monmouth County and we accept most forms of insurance, so there’s no reason to wait. Our trained and licensed physical therapists are standing by to assist you in achieving the back pain relief you deserve. Call our office at (732) 333-6360.