Did you know that lower back pain is the most common type of orthopedic problem? Yep, that’s right. It affects almost two-thirds of all Americans. However, less than 40% of those affected seek help for pain relief. When you’re experiencing back pain, it can seem intimidating to go to physical therapy. It’s understandable if you’re fearful of a worse outcome or to move your back in any way when you’re in so much pain. While these fears are valid, physical therapy has many benefits that can help with your back pain. If you’re unsure about physical therapy, check out the reasons you should consider going below.
Before we jump into the reasons you should consider physical therapy for your back pain, it’s important to talk about what may be causing your pain. If you’re experiencing pain, try to think about small things like your posture. Have you noticed yourself slouching more than usual? Were you in an unusual position at work for an extended period of time? Your posture can definitely cause back pain, but posture, along with other possibilities like a sudden movement that caused a sprain, will usually go away over the course of a couple of days with rest and over-the-counter medications.
However, If you find yourself experiencing pain for an extended period of time, or your pain worsens, this could be a more serious issue that needs to be addressed with physical therapy. Read more about the benefits below.
The obvious first benefit of going to physical therapy for your back pain is the possibility of decreasing your pain. After your physical therapist assesses your back, they will recommend certain exercises to help you heal. These typically include stretching, strength training, low-impact aerobic activity, and manual therapy.
When it comes to physical therapy, you don’t have to worry about getting told the same thing as everyone else. A physical therapist truly looks at your case as unique and prescribes a customized plan based on your age, body type, lifestyle, health conditions, and more.
Physical therapists always try to find the root cause of your pain so that they can try to help alleviate the pain and help you regain mobility. Better quality of life is the goal, after all. For example, if you have a stiff back, a physical therapist will explain certain exercises/treatments that will work to reduce that stiffness.
If your pain is severe and left untreated, there is a chance that you may need surgery. However, surgery should always be your last step. With physical therapy, there is a chance you may not have to get to that last resort.
Physical therapy takes into account your everyday life and repetitive movements. Certain stretches will be taught to you so that you can perform them after a long day of work or the activity that could cause more straining on your back. By getting ahead with a plan in place, there is a greater chance of reducing further injury to your back.
Crafted Physical Therapy’s tools and approaches are designed to help you work through your lower back issues- without pain killers or surgery, so you can get back to living the life you love. Reaching out to the experts at Crafted Physical Therapy can help alleviate lower back pain without surgery, painkillers, or large amounts of time away from family and friends.