Back Pain Slowing You Down? Physical Therapy Can Help!
Here’s a fact about back pain that may bring you some comfort: it’s one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in the world. Around 80% of people will have back pain at least once. So, if you’re suffering now, you probably aren’t the only one!
Of course, that thought does little to help if your back pain keeps you from performing day-to-day activities — as it often does. Back pain is often accompanied by mobility restrictions that make walking, rising from sitting, or bending over difficult. And if left untreated, it can sometimes lead to long-term pain and dysfunction.
At Suburban Physical Therapy, we know how debilitating back pain can be. Our team of dedicated physical therapists will help you understand the cause or causes of your back pain and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that will let you get back to the activities you love to do.
Call our clinic today to set up your initial consultation!
What Causes Back Pain?
One of the reasons that back pain is so common is that it’s associated with several different injuries, underlying conditions, or lifestyle factors. That said, most back pain is non-specific, meaning it’s not caused by a specific disease or specific structural problem, but caused by mechanical issues. Mechanical issues are difficult to pinpoint and may include multiple tissues in and around the spinal joints.
The first step in treating your back pain is understanding what’s contributing to it. Our therapists will perform a comprehensive evaluation to help us learn as much as possible about your experience with back pain, including screening for any mobility limitations or weakness you’re struggling with.
Here are some of the more common sources of back pain that we see at our clinic:
- Strains and Sprains: A strain occurs when you injure the muscles in your back. A sprain occurs when you injure the ligaments that link your spinal vertebrae. Both can cause pain and limited mobility, and they often result from lifting with improper form (such as twisting while lifting) or attempting to lift something too heavy.
- Herniated Discs: Soft, flexible discs separate and cushion your spinal vertebrae. If one of those discs herniates — that is protrudes out — and irritates a nearby nerve, it can lead to intense pain, feeling “stuck” in a stooped over position, and often pain down the leg known as sciatica.
- Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world, occurring when the cartilage and bone tissue in a joint degenerate and become inflamed. While we often associate it with the hips, knees, or hands, it can occur in the spine, too. Spinal osteoarthritis is sometimes called spondylosis.
- Lifestyle Factors: Several factors can contribute to lower back pain, including improper posture, prolonged sitting, or weakness in the muscles that wrap and support your spine (your core muscles).
Why Physical Therapy at Suburban Physical Therapy Is Your Back Pain Solution
While back pain often resolves on its own within 1-3 months, physical therapy is an excellent choice for people with particularly intense pain or extremely restrictive mobility. It’s also useful for people with chronic back pain — defined as pain that lingers past that three-month mark.
We customize all our back pain treatment plans according to your specific needs: the location and severity of your back pain, any mobility restrictions, your ability level, and overall goals. We’ll work to address the underlying issues causing your pain rather than simply masking the symptoms.
How will we do this? Through a blend of the following techniques:
- Manual therapy helps manage pain, promote blood circulation, and improve mobility.
- A personalized therapeutic exercise plan improves the strength, flexibility, and endurance of your back and core muscles. Muscle weakness significantly contributes to lower back pain, so exercise is a must.
- Specialized training, such as proper techniques and activities that simulate functional movements you’ll need to perform (i.e., squats, lunges, lifting, etc.).
- Prevention strategies help reduce future back pain incidents. These strategies might include postural corrections or suggestions for at-home exercises, such as a walking program or regular strength and mobility practice.
Get Moving Again with Physical Therapy!
Back pain is more than just pain. It can severely restrict your mobility, leading to less exercise and movement, further contributing to pain and dysfunction. The Suburban Physical Therapy team is here to help you break that cycle and find relief from back pain for good.
Call us today to schedule an appointment!
Sources: https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-low-back-pain, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32669487/, https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004057.pub3/full
Exercise of the Month
Prescribed by the Suburban PT team to support your recovery.
Bird Dog
Start on your hands and knees on a mat or table. Brace your abdominals and keep your back flat. Slowly raise one arm straight out in front of you while simultaneously raising your opposite leg back behind you until both limbs are straight and parallel with the ground. Lower them back down and repeat with your other limbs. 3 Sets, 10 Reps.
Hear From Our Satisfied Patients
Inspiring Stories Of Recovery And Renewed Health
“This is Daisy dancing up a storm just 4 months post-operation for a total hip replacement!! Shout out to Lisa at our Twinsburg location for getting Daisy back to doing the things she loves! We are so happy you are back to Zumba and line dancing, you go girl!”
“The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. They helped me recover from a sports injury faster than I thought possible.”
“I suffered from chronic back pain for years. Suburban PT found the root cause and gave me my life back.”
“Clean facility, professional therapists, and they actually listen to your concerns. Highly recommend!”
“After my knee surgery, I was terrified of physical therapy. The team made it a great experience and my recovery was seamless.”
“Best physical therapy clinic in Twinsburg. They truly care about their patients’ long-term health.”
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Recipe of the Month
Halloumi Curry
This vegetarian Halloumi Curry is a speedy and fuss-free midweek vegetarian family meal. It’s packed with goodness and is perfect for those days when you need to whip something up from the store cupboard but also fancy something comforting, rich and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1.1 lb Halloumi, cubed
- 2 tbsp Corn starch
- 2 tbsp Vegetable or Avocado oil
- 1 Onion, Halved and sliced
- 11 oz Broccoli, 1 head, cut into small florets
- 3 tbsp Curry paste of your choice
- 14 oz Coconut Milk, 1 can
- 14 oz Chickpeas, Drained and rinsed
- Naan bread, to serve
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the halloumi with the Corn starch and toss well to coat.
- Heat the oil in large frying pan over a high heat and add the cheese cubes.
- Cook over a high heat for 5 minutes until nicely colored all over.
- Remove from the frying pan and set aside on a plate. Add the onion and broccoli to the empty pan (if your pan is not non stick you may need to add a little more oil here).
- Cook for 5 minutes until they are starting to soften.
- Add the curry paste and stir for 1 minute.
- Next, add the coconut milk and chickpeas and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes until everything is mixed and the chickpeas are hot and the broccoli is cooked through.
- Add the halloumi back to the pan and stir.
- Serve with naan bread.
Recipe Tip:
If you want to make this recipe alongside a meat curry, for example if you have one person who wants a meat dish and another is vegetarian, you can follow this recipe for both at the same time, just in different pans.
Simply add 1lb of chicken to the pan you’re using for the meat curry. Everything else is OK to be the same.
