Chronic back pain impacts millions of individuals every single year. A research study released in 2017 showed that the prevalence of individuals who experience back pain has been steadily rising from 1990 to 2017 across the globe.
Millions of Americans currently experience persistent or chronic back pain each year which continues to highlight the need to mitigate the risk of developing back pain and implement a cost-effective treatment method to alleviate back pain for those that experience it.
Take a look at some of the many ways physical therapy can be an effective method to treat chronic back pain and see why back pain should be addressed for millions around the world.
Chronic back pain is one of the leading reasons that individuals seek out medical care and can range from being a nuisance to a debilitating experience. As the pain becomes more intense, it can even contribute to an inability to perform everyday activities and sap the joy from the activities you enjoy most. Back pain can also be one of the leading reasons individuals take time off work. In addition, individuals who deal with chronic back pain often make more visits to healthcare professionals to address their back pain which can lead to additional time off work.
Physical therapy can be a cost-effective treatment option for individuals of all ages and may help avoid costly surgeries. Take a look at some of the ways physical therapy may help alleviate chronic back pain.
Individuals can find pain relief through physical therapy and can reduce their reliance on expensive prescriptions and surgeries. Back surgery can be an extensive procedure that often requires physical therapy both before and after, and it may not be the best option for everyone. Many individuals can alleviate chronic back pain, strengthen their muscles, and improve function without the need for expensive prescriptions or invasive surgery.
One of the great things about attending physical therapy for chronic back pain is the focus on identifying the underlying contributors to the pain itself. Physical therapy can address any underlying contributors to chronic back pain including addressing any muscle imbalances, building endurance and capacity for movement, and improving movement patterns to reduce stress on the back.
As you attend physical therapy, your physical therapist will work with you to help retrain the spine’s muscles to both control and support the spine as you progress through various ranges of motion. These movement control exercises and stretches will help to guide you on how to perform everyday activities and will work to address poor movement patterns that have developed as a result of chronic back pain or play a role in the chronic back pain you experience.
Your physical therapist will work with you to educate you on the benefits of implementing those stretches and exercises into your routine and highlight how improving the way you move can help to alleviate the chronic back pain you experience.
One of the best ways physical therapy can help to treat chronic back pain is through education. Your physical therapist will educate you and help you understand why your chronic back pain exists and guide you along the pathway to manage and alleviate chronic back pain when it arises. Through the course of treatment, your physical therapist will educate you on the proper ways to perform maneuvers, provide guidance on alternative methods to perform certain activities to avoid discomfort, and answer any questions you might have.
Physical therapy can also help to improve range of motion. Individuals who experience chronic back pain may have decreased their activity levels or find it difficult to move which may have caused discomfort in the past. Your physical therapist will work with you to increase the mobility of supporting muscles and improve range of motion.
Physical therapy can be an effective treatment option for individuals who experience chronic back pain. Our trained and licensed physical therapists are movement experts who will work with you to identify the underlying cause of your back pain and get you on a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs and goals.
Request an appointment today to see how our physical therapists can help you alleviate your back pain at a physical therapy clinic near you and get you back to doing the things you love most.
