Top 5 signs you should seek back pain treatment near you

Living with back pain can feel overwhelming. Back pain is no joke and is one of the most common reasons patients seek out medical care, whether at a clinic or the emergency room. There could be several factors contributing to your back pain, and the cause of your pain may not always be obvious. If you’ve tweaked your back from picking up something heavy or you feel back pain during basic activities, it may be time to seek out medical help to get the answers you’re looking for. 

Common causes of back pain

As mentioned earlier, the cause of your back pain may not always be apparent. Sometimes your pain may start with your back or even come from another area of your body. Below are some of the common causes that may be contributing to your back pain:

• Stress or injury (of back muscles) — including back pain and strain 

• Disease or injury of your back bones — such as osteoporosis (bone-thinning disease)

• Wear and tear — such as degenerative arthritis 

• Disease or injury of spinal nerve — such as a bulging disc 

Before starting physical therapy, your physical therapist will have you come in for an evaluation, especially if you are experiencing any of the following: Let’s look over the top five reasons you may need to seek out back pain treatment: 

1. Persistent pain

If your pain is lasting more than a few weeks, it is no longer considered acute. If you still have pain after six weeks, it is considered chronic pain and could be a sign that there may be other underlying musculoskeletal concerns, such as disc problems, arthritis or even nerve damage. 

2. Radiating pain

Sometimes your back pain doesn’t just impact your back. If you have a herniated disc, this can cause nerve compression and result in pain traveling down one or both of your legs (through the sciatic nerve). Fortunately, if your pain is nerve related, physical therapy can offer specific treatment to help reduce the risk of long-term issues. 

3. Tingling, numbness or weakness 

If you feel a pins-and-needles sensation in your legs or feet, it might be a sign of nerve compression, which could be caused by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. 

4. Limited range of motion 

If you’re having trouble moving your back as comfortably as you once could, this could be a result of any stiffness or pain. This could be related to spinal conditions like disc problems, muscle strain or arthritis (to name a few). A physical therapist can recommend exercises and treatments to help release tight muscles or trigger points in your back that may be affecting your movement.

5. Injury or trauma

If you had a recent fall or a previous injury or accident, you may be recommended to complete a guided rehabilitation program. A physical therapist can work with you to safely and effectively work on your mobility and strength while promoting safe healing and recovery. 

Physical therapy treatment options that may help your back pain

• Manual therapy

Through a hands-on approach, a licensed physical therapist can apply gentle pressure and massage-like movements to your back and surrounding muscles. This form of therapy can boost blood flow to your back as well as the surrounding muscles and joints by reducing any stiffness and soreness you may feel.

• Stretching and strengthening exercises

Following a period of rest, you may have difficulty moving your back as you did before the pain occurred. More specifically, you may have trouble crouching down or twisting to the side without feeling tenderness or tightness. Fortunately, incorporating a personalized stretching and strengthening program may help improve your range of motion and restore your preinjury strength. 

KC Rehab can help you treat and manage your back pain  

Always make sure you’re listening to your body and seek medical attention if you think something is wrong. Fortunately, many causes of back pain can be treated without having to undergo surgery. 

Having a team of licensed professionals can take you to the next level of care. Physical therapy is a great option to treat your back pain symptoms. At KC Rehab, our physical therapists can work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to address your back pain. 

Don’t wait! Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.