Why PT for Low Back Pain?
Low back pain is often over treated in today’s era of unhelpful imaging, costly surgery and narcotic prescriptions: physical therapy is proven to treat low back pain, and is also cost effective! None of us are strangers to low back pain, and up to 25% of us will experience it in a given three month period. Most people will notice that mild back pain goes away on its own, but in some cases it lingers or gets worse, which can decrease your quality of life.
When Should I Visit a Physical Therapist?
Pain is personal, and can vary from sharp and localized to broad and throbbing, it all depends on the person and what may be causing the pain.
The three different types of low back pain are:
- Acute pain lasting less than 3 months
- Recurrent pain, which is acute pain that comes back
- And Chronic pain, which lasts longer than 3 months
Most people will find they have acute back pain with one or more occurrence, and pain often resolves on its own. It can be difficult to determine what may have caused the pain, but important to remember that low back pain is complex and may not be directly related to specific tissues.
How Do PTs Diagnose Low Back Pain?
Your PT will ask you a variety of questions, assessing the quantity and quality of movements you make on a daily basis, and discuss any movement patterns that may slow down your recovery. Your PT also conducts a number of tests that assess you for symptoms of serious diseases or health disorders. Imaging reports like x-rays and MRIs may not actually be that helpful for recovery, and recent studies indicate that patients who have received imaging before physical therapy end up with similar outcomes as those who have not received it- and spend more money!
How Will Physical Therapy Help?
Physical therapy can help by restoring your mobility and lessening your pain, WITHOUT drugs, side effects and expensive surgeries. If you are having back pain right now, try to maintain your normal routine as much as possible, because bed rest for more than a day can actually be detrimental to your recovery. If your pain lasts for more than a few days or gets worse, then you should definitely make an appointment with a physical therapist.
A physical therapist will help you create a safe and effective physical activity routine that will improve your overall health, as well as giving you specific strengthening and flexibility exercises that will help your back. Treatment for low back pain is also about education on safe lifting and bending practices at home. Prevention of low back pain also includes many of the same things.
Physical Therapy can help you recover from your low back pain in a drug-free, side-effect free, and surgery-free way. Choose physical therapy at Siskiyou PT, schedule your appointment today!
Jesse Elliott, DPT, Licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy with Siskiyou PT
We offer Same Day Appointments for those that are post surgical or medically urgent. We offer discounts or payment plans for those that have high insurance deductible health plans, no insurance, or have a financial hardship.
Call now to get your life back 541-479-6936 or visit SiskiyouPT.com
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