Back pain can be a real pain—both physically and mentally. Whether it’s a nagging ache or sharp, debilitating discomfort, lower back pain is one of the most common complaints people face. In fact, around 80% of individuals will experience it at some point in their lives. The good news? Physical therapy can offer a long-term solution to reduce and manage back pain without relying on medications or surgery.
If you’re struggling with back pain, it’s essential to understand that you don’t have to deal with it alone. At Herlong Sports Physical Therapy, we specialize in helping people just like you alleviate back pain and get back to living life to the fullest. Read on to learn more about how physical therapy can help you find relief.
Common Back Injuries
Before diving into how physical therapy can treat back pain, let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of back pain.
Spondylolysis
Spondylolysis is a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis, a part of the vertebrae in your spine. It’s often caused by repetitive stress and can happen in athletes who perform high-impact movements like running or jumping. In many cases, people with this condition may not experience pain, and it can go unnoticed until it’s aggravated by specific movements like extension or rotation of the spine. Physical therapy helps by focusing on core stability exercises and activity modifications to strengthen the back and prevent further strain.
Sciatica
Sciatica occurs when a nerve in your lower back gets irritated, often due to a herniated disc. The result is pain, numbness or tingling down the leg. If left untreated, sciatica can affect your ability to move and function. Physical therapy can help by targeting the root cause of the irritation through specific exercises that decompress the spine and alleviate nerve compression.
Disc Herniations
A disc herniation occurs when the inner layer of a spinal disc pushes out beyond its outer layer, potentially pressing on nerves and causing pain. Interestingly, many people have disc herniations without even realizing it—especially if the herniation doesn’t compress any nerves. Physical therapy can aid in healing by strengthening the muscles around the spine and improving posture, which can relieve pressure on the disc and prevent further injury.
Muscle Strains
A muscle strain in the back often occurs from lifting something too heavy, bending or twisting awkwardly. This is one of the most common causes of back pain and can be treated effectively with physical therapy. The key here is building strength in the lower back muscles, as well as the core, to avoid future strains and improve flexibility.
Chronic Low Back Pain
Chronic low back pain is defined as persistent pain that lasts for more than three months, even after an injury has healed. It can be triggered by factors like poor posture, stress or poor sleep quality. For those suffering from chronic pain, physical therapy focuses on retraining your body to maintain proper posture and improve movement mechanics, allowing you to live with less pain and discomfort.
Why Can’t I Get Rid of My Back Pain?
If you’ve been dealing with back pain for an extended period of time, you may wonder why it’s so difficult to get rid of. Back pain is often a multi-faceted issue that requires a thorough analysis from a medical professional. Unlike a straightforward injury like a sprained ankle, back pain can stem from a variety of sources—muscle imbalances, nerve compression, posture issues and more.
This makes diagnosing the root cause of back pain tricky, and without a proper assessment, your symptoms may persist. That’s why seeing a physical therapist who can conduct a comprehensive evaluation and develop an individualized treatment plan is crucial for long-term relief.
How Can Physical Therapy Treat My Back Pain?
Physical therapy offers a non-invasive and effective approach to back pain relief. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific needs, but here’s a general breakdown of what physical therapy for back pain might include:
1. Core Strengthening
Your core muscles play a key role in stabilizing your spine and supporting your back. Physical therapy will focus on exercises that target the deep abdominal muscles (like the transverse abdominis) to improve spinal stability and reduce strain on your back.
2. Flexibility Training
Tight muscles in your lower back, hips and legs can contribute to back pain. Stretching exercises for your hamstrings, piriformis and hip flexors can reduce muscle tightness, which often causes discomfort in the lower back.
3. Postural Training
Bad posture can lead to or worsen back pain. Physical therapists will work with you to develop better posture habits both during physical activity and while sitting, standing and sleeping.
4. Spinal Mobilization and Manipulation
Gentle hands-on techniques may be used to improve mobility in the spine and surrounding areas. This can help reduce stiffness and pain, particularly if you have a herniated disc or a muscle strain.
5. Functional Movement Training
Physical therapists will teach you how to move safely and efficiently to protect your back. They’ll focus on training you to bend, lift, twist and squat in ways that minimize the stress on your spine.
6. Activity Modification
During your recovery, you may still be able to engage in light activities that won’t aggravate your pain. A physical therapist can guide you in modifying your activities to avoid further strain while maintaining mobility and strength.
Get Back Pain Relief Now – Physical Therapy in Maryland
If you’re ready to take control of your back pain, physical therapy might be the solution you’ve been looking for. At Herlong Sports Physical Therapy, we specialize in treating all types of back injuries, from muscle strains to chronic low back pain. We understand that every person’s experience with pain is unique, which is why we take a personalized approach to every patient.
No doctor’s referral is required to get started and we are in-network with all major insurance plans! Simply schedule an appointment with us, and our team will evaluate your condition and create a tailored treatment plan to help you find relief.
