Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Back Pain Therapy in Austin, TX

Having back pain is one of the most common reasons people miss work. In fact, it is a leading cause of disability in Austin. If you are coping with pain, you know how it can influence your life.

You may feel a dull ache constantly, a quick, sharp pain occasionally, or a tingling or burning sensation. Chronic back pain is endless discomfort. You hesitate to do regular things like work in the garden, play with your kids or grandkids, or even go for your regular neighborhood walk.

Is there really such a thing as just having a “bad” back? Did you roll over in bed, and that was enough to cause an old sports injury to flare up? Or did your fall on the ice last winter cause lasting damage and chronic pain? Maybe the pain radiates down your leg, with pain so intense, the risk of falling increases. Simple, everyday activities like standing, bending, lifting, twisting, or walking may make the pain worse.

Research shows that about 80% of Americans have back pain at some point. About 8% of the population has regular chronic back pain.

But most chronic back pain has root causes in underlying conditions, not a one-time event.

Symptoms of Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain symptoms tend to start gradually and creep up over time and last at least six weeks. Chronic back pain can’t always be traced back to a specific event or injury, but you may remember a moment when you hurt your back. Always seek physical therapy for back pain after a fall, a blow to the back or another injury.

A car or work accident, fall or sports injury can start a cascade of chemical and mechanical reactions in your body that set the stage for chronic pain. But once the pain lasts more than six weeks, it won’t just go away or heal without treatment.

Because chronic pain affects you over a longer time, it is natural to avoid physical activity and make other compensations. This process can make your pain worse and set up chronic issues in the long run.

Causes of Chronic Back Pain

Many cases of chronic back pain have several contributing factors. That’s why the first step in your chronic back pain therapy in Austin is a comprehensive assessment.

Some chronic back pain was initially caused by an injury, such as a car accident, a fall or a blow to the back. But as time goes on, spinal degeneration tends to set in, increasing inflammation and causing more pain.

Often, there isn’t a cause that would show up in any test or imaging, so physical therapists are experts at assessing your condition by observations and hands-on exams.

Conditions commonly linked with back pain include:

Muscle and ligament strains. Heavy lifting repeatedly or sudden awkward twisting or lifting movements strain the muscles in your back and the spinal ligaments. If you are in poor physical condition, consistent back strain may even cause muscle spasms.
Bulging and ruptured disks. Disks are the cushions that provide support between the bones in your spine. Soft materials inside the disks may bulge or even rupture, which then presses on spinal nerves. Some bulging and ruptured disks do not directly cause back pain but may contribute to other conditions.
Arthritis. Arthritis in the bones of your spine leads to space narrowing around your spinal cord, which is called spinal stenosis.
Osteoporosis. As the vertebrae in your spine become brittle and porous with osteoporosis, painful breaks develop.
Ankylosing spondylitis, or axial spondylarthritis, is an inflammatory disease that causes the bones in the spine to fuse together, reducing the flexibility of the spine.

Chronic Back Pain Risk Factors

While chronic back pain is common enough that anyone could develop it, there are some factors that increase the risk:

Exercise. A lack of exercise leads to weak back muscles and less core ab strength which contributes to chronic pain.
Age. Back pain becomes more common as people age, starting between 30 and 40.
Weight. Carrying excess weight puts extra stress on back muscles, causing pain and inflammation.
Smoking. Smokers have more back pain, perhaps from coughing, which leads to herniated disks. But smoking also decreases blood flow to the spine, which increases the risk for osteoporosis.
Improper or constant lifting. Lifting with your back instead of your legs leads to back pain. Constant lifting of heavy loads can put a strain on back muscles.
Diseases. Some diseases like arthritis or cancer can be contributing factors to ongoing back pain.
Mental health. Depression and anxiety increase the risk of chronic back pain. Stress can also cause muscle tension, making your back hurt even more.

Fortunately, you no longer have to live with chronic back pain. There are solutions, and you could be feeling better very soon!

Physical Therapy for Chronic Back Pain in Austin, TX

The first step in your Physical Therapy for chronic back pain is a complete assessment of what factors contribute to your pain.

Your physical therapist will consider issues such as:
Any accidents, falls, blows or injuries in your past, recently or long ago
Your medical history
Lifestyle and exercise
Your posture and gait (how you walk)
A physical exam

With the results of your assessment, your physical therapist designs a customized program to reduce your back pain immediately. Plus, the recovery plan includes ways to make long-term changes to reduce or eliminate your discomfort.

Why Choose FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers for Chronic Back Pain Therapy in Austin

Fyzical Therapy and Balance Centers - Brodie Lane is a natural choice for Chronic Back Pain Therapy in Austin. Here are some of the reasons our patients choose us.

Highly Credentialed Physical Therapists. The Physical Therapists at Fyzical Therapy and Balance Centers - Brodie Lane, are leaders in chronic back pain rehabilitation treatments. They expertly combine proven therapies to enhance your recovery while providing regular reassessments.
State-of-the-Art Proven Techniques. Our patients access state-of-the-art, proven physical therapy techniques and technology combined with traditional hands-on approaches. Our patients benefit from this high-level, cutting-edge physical therapy combination approach.
Individualized Treatments. Every patient begins with a complete evaluation and receives one-on-one treatments by highly qualified, licensed physical therapists. Regular reassessments ensure your physical therapy in Austin gives you the quickest, most complete recovery possible.
Post-Rehab Program. Without a post-rehab program, the risk of reinjury is very high. This is how people end up with a “bad back” in the long term. Formerly injured body parts are at an increased risk of reinjury. So, people frequently reinjure themselves during workouts and when they return to previous activities. This post-rehab program is for patients who progress past the need for physical therapy for back pain but want to safely continue their fitness program under direct supervision from their physical therapist. The program is also available as a preventative, even if you have not received physical therapy for an injury.

When you suffer from chronic back pain in Austin, TX, Contact FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers. We’ll help you feel better soon.

FAQs for Chronic Back Pain Therapy

Which therapy is best for back pain?

The best treatment for your chronic back pain is often Physical Therapy. A physical therapist can help to reduce your pain and inflammation, retrain your posture, plus increase your flexibility, strength, and range of motion.

What causes chronic back pain?

Chronic back pain often gets worse with age but may result from a prior injury. The most common chronic back pain causes include:

Arthritis – Gradual thinning of spinal cartilage
Spinal stenosis – Spinal canal narrowing that leads to nerve pain
Disc problems – Herniated or bulging discs
Myofascial pain syndrome - Muscle pain or tenderness which may have no specific explanation

Can a physical therapist fix lower back pain?

Yes. Even though there are different causes for lower back pain, physical therapy can reduce the pain and inflammation in acute and chronic back pain. Most patients require a combination of physical therapy modalities to recover fully in the shortest possible time.

How long does physical therapy take for lower back pain?

Most patients recover fully within 4 to 6 weeks. If you have underlying conditions, poor posture, a sedentary lifestyle, or other contributing factors, your physical therapist may recommend treatments that extend beyond this timeframe.