LOW BACK PAIN

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 80 percent of adults will experience some level of back pain during their lifetime. The World Health Organization’s data indicates that spinal related diseases, which include low back pain, are the number one cause of disability in the world, and the third most costly health condition in the United States!

Sadly, only 10 percent of those with back pain access physical therapy for their recovery. This leaves 90 percent of the population with back pain left seeking help elsewhere or not seeking help at all. Unfortunately, not accessing professional help from a physical therapist for back pain often lead to the need for costly imaging, the use of painkillers, and even surgical intervention.

WHAT IS LOW BACK PAIN?

Low back pain is pain found at the base of the spine known as the lumbar region. This pain can range from dull and achy to sharp and burning. At times, this pain can move down the leg, around the hip, and even into the abdominal area. Low back pain does not discriminate against gender, age, or race, but often occur among people who engage in little to no exercise, as well as those who are overweight and stressed out!

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO LOW BACK PAIN

Weak Core – The medical world often uses funny words for things and “core” is one of those words! When a medical provider uses this word, they are referring to the abdominal muscles, back muscles, and the muscles around the pelvis. We need all these muscles to engage when we sit, stand, bend, or twist in order to have a strong core.

Posture – Our bodies are happiest when the ears are over the shoulders and the hips are over the feet. As we age or experience extended work functions such as sitting for long periods, we often begin shifting from a tall, upright posture to a posture where our shoulders are rounded or slouched, causing our neck to protrude forward. This can lead to back pain due to misalignment in the spine.

Lack of Exercise – If you are too busy to exercise, then you are too busy! We all need to give ourselves a break from the day to day hustle and bustle and make time to exercise. Exercise encourages  good posture, increases the “feel good” endorphins in our brains, decreases our stress and improves flexibility; especially at the hip flexors and hamstrings!

Visit WebMD For Good & Bad Exercises for Back Pain

Lack of a Proper Diet – Consuming too many calories, especially food and drinks that have no nutritional value (think sodas and candy) can lead to excessive weight gain, especially around the stomach area. Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of back pain.

Arthritis – Arthritis may be the culprit of your lower back pain. For those with arthritis, core strength training, cardiovascular exercise and stretching all support pain reduction (not necessarily elimination).

Stress – In today’s world, stress can seem inevitable. There is “good” stress that motivates us to get work and important tasks completed. Some of us have a brother-in-law who could use some good stress! And then there is “bad” stress. “Bad” stress is comprised of negative emotions. When “bad” stress isn’t addressed, over time your body WILL find a way to tell you it’s stressed out. One way is through the manifestation of pain. And for whatever reason, back pain seems to be among the most common.

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ALLEVIATE BACK PAIN?

When a person comes in with lower back pain, the job of a physical therapists is to identify what is causing pain through an extensive evaluation. This includes testing muscle strength, identifying any joint range-of-motion limitations, assessing physical endurance, discussing appropriate weight concerns, and providing counseling about the role of stress.

Based on the findings of the evaluation, a physical therapy treatment plan is co-created by the physical therapist and the patient. The treatment plan often includes particular types of stretches, core stability, and activities to promote endurance.

Jennica Colvin, Owner & Physical Therapist
Trio Rehabilitation & Wellness Solutions
Boerne, Texas