Daniel (not his real name) was a busy professional in his 40s–and he was dealing with persistent back pain. He tried rest, over-the-counter pain medications, and even a few stretches he found online, but nothing seemed to make a lasting difference. When he eventually visited a physical therapist, it turned out that understanding the causes of back pain was the key he was missing.
Daniel’s physical therapist assessed his strength, posture, and overall movement and eventually determined that Daniel’s office job was straining his lower back, leading to his seemingly never-ending symptoms. By uncovering the root cause, his therapist was able to design a targeted treatment plan that eased his pain in both the short and long term.
Stories like Daniel’s are common. Back pain is a widespread issue with many underlying factors. Whether it’s caused by an injury, an underlying condition, or simply how you sit and move, finding relief often requires identifying the true source of the problem.
That’s where physical therapy at Millennium Physical Therapy comes in. With a customized approach based on your specific needs, our team can help you address the actual causes of back pain and get back to feeling your best. Today, we want to explore some of those causes in more detail. Keep reading to learn more!
Five Common Causes of Back Pain
As Daniel’s story showed, understanding the underlying cause of back pain is key to finding lasting relief. Our physical therapists can identify these causes and develop targeted treatment plans that address both the symptoms and the root of the problem.
Here are some of the reasons for back pain we frequently treat:
Back Muscle Strain
- Overuse and heavy lifting are some of the most frequent causes of back pain. These movements can strain the muscles in your back, leading to pain and restricted mobility. We can treat these injuries with strengthening exercises, mobility work, and manual therapy. Improving core strength also helps prevent future injuries.
Sedentary Lifestyle and Poor Posture
- Frequent sitting–especially if you slouch–puts unnecessary stress on your spine, which can lead to persistent pain over time. We can provide corrective exercises that help you maintain better alignment and reduce the strain on your back. We’ll also help you develop strategies to ensure you’re moving regularly.
Herniated Discs
- A herniated disc occurs when the soft material inside a spinal disc pushes out, irritating nearby nerves and causing sharp, radiating pain. Through specific exercises and techniques, physical therapy can relieve pressure on the affected area and promote healing.
Spinal Arthritis
- As we age, the joints in our spine can become inflamed, leading to stiffness and pain. Fortunately, physical therapy plays a vital role in managing arthritis symptoms through mobility and strengthening exercises, which help improve joint function and allow for more comfortable movement.
Spinal Stenosis
- Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal column narrows, putting pressure on the nerves and leading to pain, tingling, and weakness in the lower back and legs. To relieve pressure on the spine and help you move more comfortably, we’ll suggest exercises that improve mobility, strength, and posture.
What’s Causing Your Back Pain?
Are you dealing with persistent back pain? The best way to resolve it effectively is to figure out what’s causing it–and then treat the cause accordingly. If you’d like to find relief from back pain, schedule an appointment with the team at Millennium Physical Therapy. Our Flushing, MI-based physical therapists will find the best solution for your needs!
Tags: injury prevention, back pain relief, posture correction
