BACK
Back pain is one of the most common and debilitating reasons a patient will seek medical care. In the world of physical therapy, we often see patients with what is labeled as ‘acute low back pain,’ meaning the pain was recent and sudden. Like neck pain, there are many reasons why a patient can present with low back pain. Again, muscles and joints are the most common culprits, but a herniated disc can also be the source of pain.
Injures We Treat the Most
Herniated Disc (Slipped Disc or Bulging Disc)
This occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc protrudes through the outer layer, pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the back, legs, or arms.
Degenerative Disc Disease
As discs in the spine age and wear down, they can lose their cushioning properties, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced flexibility in the back.
Spinal Stenosis
This condition involves the narrowing of the spinal canal, often due to age-related changes or conditions like arthritis, leading to compression of the spinal cord or nerves and causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the back and legs.
Sciatica
Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the back of each leg, can cause sharp, shooting pain, tingling, and numbness that radiates from the lower back through the buttocks and legs.
Spondylolisthesis
This condition occurs when a vertebra slips out of place and onto the vertebra below it, causing lower back pain, stiffness, and potential nerve compression if severe.
Muscle Strain or Sprain
Overstretching or tearing of muscles or ligaments in the back can result in pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.
Facet Joint Syndrome
Facet joints are small joints in the spine that can become inflamed or irritated, causing back pain and stiffness, especially with certain movements.
Get Relief Now
If you or a family member are dealing with any of the above and the symptoms have not improved in more than three weeks, chances are you would greatly benefit from at least one formal visit with a licensed physical therapist. While most aches and pains do improve on their own, persistent issues often require formal evaluation from a musculoskeletal expert.