Like many American adults, you might suffer from creeping back pain that thwarts your daily activities. Whether you notice the pain spreading to different areas or staying in one place, you could suffer from one of the common back problems discussed below.
Our team at Virginian Rehabilitation & Wellness, serving the DC area including Chantilly and Fairfax, VA, discusses these issues and how physical therapy might relieve the symptoms.
What are the most common reasons for back pain?
Sporadic and chronic back pain can develop for myriad reasons, including bad posture, a sedentary lifestyle and inadequate mattresses and pillows. However, you can also struggle with spinal stiffness and achiness from particular conditions.
Our role as physical therapists treating back pain in Chantilly, VA is to identify the primary causes of your back pain and develop a custom plan of care to solve it.
Treating Degenerated or Herniated Discs Pain
Discs sit between each vertebra in your spine, preventing the vertebrae from grinding up against each other. Sometimes, the soft tissues that make up these discs degrade, resulting in degenerative disc disease. Other times, you might move in such a way that causes a disc to slip out of place, causing a herniation.
Both conditions can cause painful symptoms like tingling limbs and recurring discomfort. You might also struggle with leg weakness when moving your limbs.
Even with herniated discs, you can still do all your normal activities if it’s treated properly. Hear from one of our patients about how we helped them relieve back pain from herniated discs:
“After a severe herniated disc in my lumbar region, and to avoid surgery I attended very well designed, managed and choreographed PT sessions... They devised a PT program that slowly but surely brought back my strength to a point that I can now go back to the gym for routine exercises and rejoin the High Intensity Training (HITT) at my gym.” – Kazem S.
Treating Sciatica Pain
Sciatica is a condition characterized by pain that radiates from your lower back down through your legs. This occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your feet, is compressed or irritated. Common symptoms include sharp pain, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness.
Treating Spinal Stenosis Pain
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This condition often leads to pain, numbness, or weakness, particularly in the legs and lower back. It can be caused by aging, arthritis, or other degenerative conditions.
Treating Arthritis Pain
As you age, the joints that connect various bones may become inflamed due to a condition called arthritis. Numerous tiny joints make up your spine and can swell if arthritis affects your back. You are more at risk of developing back pain because of these inflammatory conditions if you:
Consume inflammatory substances like a lot of red meat or sugary foods.
Struggle to maintain a healthy weight.
Use substances like tobacco or alcohol.
Reducing these risk factors not only helps you avoid developing arthritis but can lessen its symptoms. However, many people need professional guidance to manage their arthritic struggles.
Treating Scoliosis Pain
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that often develops during the growth spurt just before puberty. While mild cases might not cause significant problems, severe scoliosis can lead to back pain, reduced lung function, and other complications. Regular monitoring and physical therapy can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Treating Pain from Previous Injuries
Spine injuries are incredibly sneaky, and you may not discover them immediately. One day, you could wake up and take pain relievers to ease an achy back, believing the symptoms developed because you slept in a strange position. In reality, it could be an old misstep coming back to haunt you.
Back injuries can develop from seemingly benign everyday activities, like:
Playing contact sports
Participating in intense workout routines
Not stretching before physical movements
Constantly twisting, turning and bending for your job
How Physical Therapy in Chantilly & Fairfax, VA Treats Back Problems
Fortunately, physical therapy providers near you can provide long-lasting pain relief and help you recover from these common back problems. Many first-time patients assume their therapeutic regimen will consist of light stretches guided by a physical therapist. However, modern technology and a deeper understanding of the musculoskeletal system have influenced considerable treatment evolutions.
Develop Programs to Strengthen Your Muscles
Physical therapists still use traditional methods, like PT exercises and stretches, to help patients improve their flexibility and build strength. After all, many effective treatment plans are built on the foundation of getting patients up and moving again. Once you increase your core and leg strength, you can better support your spine.
You can also supplement your physical treatment with massages and other touch-based therapies. Gentle repetitive movements encourage circulation, helping prevent post-workout pain.
Implement Lifestyle Recommendations
Physical therapy doesn’t end when you leave the clinic. You must consistently integrate therapeutic activities into your lifestyle. Your Virginian Rehab & Wellness physical therapist might suggest the following habits:
Daily stretches
Routines to increase balance, mobility and flexibility
Diet changes to enhance your recovery
Monitors and equipment to improve sleep quality
Nutrition, consistent movement, and rest are integral to managing back conditions and relieving back pain.
Utilize Physical Therapy Technological Innovations
As mentioned above, many clinics use advanced technology to help their patients manage their back conditions. You might benefit from:
Electric stimulation: Electric stim devices, like NEUBIE therapy, send electrical impulses into significantly weakened or stiff muscles. They can encourage blood flow and help muscles stay active.
Hot or cold therapy: Delivering heat to your muscles expands blood vessels, which may improve nutrient and blood cell delivery. Cold therapy can lessen inflammation in agitated tissues.
Dry needling therapy: Dry needling is ideal for individuals experiencing acute or chronic pain, muscle tightness and mobility limitations. It is particularly effective for those who have not seen improvements with traditional therapy methods and are looking for an alternative solution to enhance muscle function and pain relief.
Find Back Pain Relief at Virginian Rehab & Wellness
Managing common back problems doesn’t have to be an insurmountable challenge. Relief is available!
The physical therapists at Virginian Rehab & Wellness will listen to your concerns and address your conditions and symptoms. Book a consultation today by calling us at (703) 844-8599 or by filling out our contact form here.