Living with back pain can be one of the most crippling conditions a person can endure. You may feel debilitated by your pain, and you certainly are not alone. Nearly 65 million Americans report having back pain, according to a recent article from Georgetown University. It affects people of all ages and is the leading cause of work-loss days. It is more common for individuals with back pain to report fair to poor mental and physical health. Older adults with back pain reportedly feel less satisfied with their retirement, and adults with back pain are less active than those without. Downhearted feelings are reported more often among adults with back pain. All of this can be overwhelming if you are suffering from this condition.
It is important to understand your pain so that you can properly manage it. There are many ways that back pain can develop. Common causes can include improper lifting techniques, weakness throughout your core musculature, lack of mobility or exercise, sedentary lifestyle, improper physical activity when deconditioned, poor sitting/standing posture, or degenerative changes in the spine. It is a common misconception that you should do less physical activity when you have back pain in order to avoid worsening of your pain. Additionally, many individuals think that their only solution is taking opioids or surgical intervention.
When discussing treatment options for your back pain, it is important to consider physical therapy. Physical therapists can help with strengthening regimens, flexibility training, ergonomics training, teaching proper body mechanics, and creating personalized home exercise programs that are easy to maintain. Our clinical expertise helps to put your body back in motion.