Back pain is no joke. Regardless of what type of back injury or pain you may have, it hinders your ability to live a healthy life. If that sounds like an exaggeration, consider the fact that practically everything you do every single day impacts your back. Sitting, standing, walking, bending, even coughing and sneezing. Even laughing! If you have back pain, you want to get back to a normal way of life–without the pain. Physical therapy is a great option.

What Kinds of Back Injuries Are There?

There are a few different types of back injuries and pain. Some may result from severe trauma (like a car accident), a genetic condition may be the cause, and many are the result of a strain.

• Lumbar spine: The lumbar region, which consists of the five largest vertebrae and the strongest of the muscles necessary to provide stability for the spine, is often injured in car accidents. This area can sustain sprains (ligament damage) or strains (stretching of ligaments, muscle, or tendons), and the subsequent bruising, swelling, tenderness, and limited movement are not only painful, and they also impact your day-to-day life.

• Thoracic spine: This part of the spine is in the upper back and connects to the ribs and chest. You can only imagine the pain this type of injury causes! Thoracic spine injuries are generally severe, usually the result of high-velocity, high-impact car accidents. Unfortunately, these types of injuries in nearly all cases cause permanent nerve damage.

• Spinal cord: These are the most serious of back injuries. Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or total paralysis, loss of feeling in certain parts of the body, loss of reflex, plus many related secondary medical conditions that could require long-term care and treatment. These injuries are the result of the spinal cord being bruised or suffering other types of trauma.

• Herniated discs: One of the most common back injuries, a herniated disc occurs when a disc–a soft cushion between each vertebra that helps protect the spine–becomes displaced due to trauma in the back. The displaced disc usually presses against the spinal cord and/or nerves surrounding the area, causing a sharp pain in the lower back and numbness in the legs. Herniated discs can result in chronic back pain and affect your daily life in many ways.

Can Physical Therapy Help Back Pain?

Absolutely, though it does depend on the severity of the injury. If the back pain is caused by a serious or traumatic injury, it may require surgery or other forms of treatment before moving on to PT.

However, most types of chronic back pain can be managed with physical therapy. PT can improve mobility and help you regain strength by targeting certain areas in the back to strengthen. A solid course of PT can also help you manage pain over time and quite possibly, eliminate your back pain altogether!

Physical Therapy for Back Pain

Physical therapy may be just what you need. We’ll explore various treatment options for back pain to find what works best for you. Physical Therapy Now is ready to help. Call us today at (800) 481-4582 to get back on your feet… pain free!