WHY DOES MY BACK HURT? There are many reasons why your back may be aching; the most important thing is to find out why. The most common reason is mechanical lowbackpain,which is causedbyastrainofyour ligaments, tendons or muscles. Common causes include lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying something too heavy, having poor posture at work on the computer, or sitting or lying in bed without support.
LIVE YOUR LIFE FREE OF BACK PAIN (Continued from Outside)
and apply ice wrapped in a pillow case for 15 minutes to your lower back. Then, keep moving around doing your normal activities, but avoidmorevigorousactivitiessuch assports, lifting,pushing,pullingor carrying heavy objects. If your pain doesnotsubsidewithina fewdays, worsens, or other symptoms arise, consultyourdoctor,orcallBayState PhysicalTherapy forhelp.Youmay be referred to a physical therapist. The physical therapist will first listen carefully to your complaints, evaluateyourcondition,assesswhat injury you acquired and prescribe a treatment plan to resolve your pain and dysfunction. Your treatment plan may include manual, ‘hands on therapy’ to improvespineandhip mobility and to reduce pain. Your therapistwillalsoprovideeducation, exercises, and modalities for pain relief. Your back was built to be sturdy and the physical therapist will teach you about the natural strengthofyourback,helpsexplain pain perception and the typical favorable prognosis of lower back pain, encourage active pain coping strategies that decrease fear, and promote early return to work and normal activities. The physical therapistwillencourageyoutofocus on your return to activity and not yourcontinued,butdiminishingpain experience. (Delitto et. Al, 2012). You should expect to be educated on better sleeping and working postures thatwillhelpalleviateyour symptoms. - Kara Alterio , PT, DPT Bay State Physical Therapy References: Sizer, P. S., & Cook, C. (2007, February 16). MedicalScreeningforRedFlags intheDiagnosis andManagementofMusculoskeletalSpinePain. Retrievedfromhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ doi/abs/10.1111/j.1533-2500.2007.00112.x. Delitto et. Al. Lower back pain. Clinical Practice Guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health from the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2012;42(4):A1-A57.
Appropriately prescribed aerobic activity and strength training exercises make it possible to reduce your risk of injury and to improve your ability to overcome back pain. This is done by strengthening your core musculature and improving blood flowandnutrientdisbursement throughout the back. How Will Physical Therapy Help Relieve My Back Pain?
There are also some more serious reasons why you may have back pain, but not to worry, these occasions are rare and affect less than 1% of cases. These reasons include fractures, tumors, bladder or kidney infections or prostate problems. Signs of a potentially seriousproblem include:pain that is worseatnightorat rest (compared to activity) and cannot be relieved by repositioning, pain that does not get better with conservative treatment (medication, bed rest, ice or heat), or poor success with other conservative treatments. Other symptoms of a potentially serious medical condition include: difficulty walking, blood in your sputum, urine or feces, difficulty urinating or inability to control your bowel or bladder function, numbness or tingling in your groin area. (Sizer Jr. et al. 2007). If you have any of these symptoms or it is not obvious how you injured yourback,consultyourprimarycare physician. Now that you are fairly sure your sore back is from lifting that case of water by bending with your back instead of your knees, what do you do? You may have pulled a muscle or sprained ligaments in your back, which could result in stiffness in the spine, sudden pain, muscle spasms or even pain down a leg or in the buttocks. I suggest immediately stopping the activity that is bothering you and take a break. Don’t try to keep working through it. Find a comfortable positioneithersittingor lyingdown,
Physical therapy offers a long-term solution to back pain by using targeted exercises that focus on the source of the pain, not just the symptoms. It can help you overcome your back pain by giving you the knowledge and support necessary to find relief and achieve your physical goals. Working with an experienced physical therapist ensures that you are guided through the process of healing in an educated manner with safe, progressive and gradual steps targeted to not only improve the pain, but minimize the likelihood of the symptoms returning. Through a combination of strength and flexibility training that focuses on muscle development and joint movement, physical therapy can address the underlying cause of the pain and significantly improve your quality of life. If you are looking to say goodbye to your back pain, look no further. If your back is bothering you, contact Bay State Physical Therapy today. We’ll get you started on a treatment plan that will get you moving in the necessary ways to relieve your back pain!
Relieve Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you’re experiencing back pain.
Modified Down Dog (Wall) Place hands against a wall, shoulder width apart and elbows straight. Slowly lean toward the ground, bending from the hips, while walking your hands down the wall until your legs and arms are at or close to making a 90 degree angle. Walk your legs backward as you do so if you need more space. Imagine yourself pushing into the wall and pulling away with your hips. Try to keep your wrists, shoulders, and hips in a straight line. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 3 times. Strengthens Your Back Exercisescopyrightof Always consultyourphysical therapistorphysicianbefore starting exercisesyouareunsureofdoing.
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