Chronic low back pain is a common ailment that affects so many people today. Take action today and call Complete Physical Rehabilitation to schedule a one-on-one consultation and evaluation. Our physical therapists will get to the root cause of your back pain and create a personalized treatment plan just for you.
What Is Chronic Low Back Pain?
Low back pain is chronic when it’s been present for more than three months. It may result from stresses, disease or an injury on the structures of the body. It can vary and may be experienced as muscle pain, nerve pain or bone pain. The pain may be stabbing, achy, sharp, dull, vague or well-defined. And the pain can range from mild to severe. The pain may occur all of the time or when you perform certain actions, such as getting up from a chair or when driving. If you have chronic back pain, it’s time to call a physical therapist.
Causes and Symptoms of Chronic Low Back Pain
“Lower back pain is a common cause for visits to the doctor. According to the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Strokes (NINDS), low back pain is the most common cause of job-related disability. At least 80 percent of Americans will experience low back pain in their lifetimes.”
Low back pain can be due to a variety of things, including:
- Strains
- Disc Injury
- Sciatica
- Abnormal Spine Curvatures
- Spinal Stenosis
The ligaments and muscle in the back area can tear or stretch due to activity, such as lifting and recreational sports. You may experience stiffness, pain and muscle spasms.
The lumbar discs are prone to injury, especially with age. If you have a herniated disc, the cartilage surrounding the disc pushes against the nerve roots or spinal cord. It can result in compressing the nerve roots and cause pain. Typically, a herniated disc occurs from twisting the back or lifting.
Sciatica can occur if a herniated disc presses on the sciatic nerve. This nerve is long and connects the spine to the legs. Pain can occur in the lower back region and radiate to the legs and feet. You may feel pain, burning and pins and needles.
Spinal stenosis is a condition when the spinal column narrows. Most often, this is due to disc degeneration, which results in compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. Symptoms of spinal stenosis include cramping, numbness and weakness and may worsen when walking or standing.
Abnormal spine curvatures like lordosis and scoliosis can cause lower back pain, too. These are congenital conditions that put pressure on the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the back.
Other conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia can also cause chronic low back pain.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
A physical therapist uses both passive and active methods to alleviate chronic low back pain. Passive treatments include ultrasound, electric stimulation, massage, and hot and cold therapy. Active treatments include stretching and specific exercises.
Call Complete Physical Rehabilitation to set up an appointment with one of our physical therapists if you’re suffering from chronic low back pain. We’ve helped many others alleviate their pain and can help you, too.