Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Back Pain


Comprised of some of the most active muscles and ligaments in the body, your back is always at risk for some degree of injury. The list of causes for back pains is vast and doesn’t exclusively affect older individuals as studies have shown. In most cases, the symptoms experienced are mild and easily dealt with by over-the-counter pain relievers. If not properly addressed, however, these small episodes of back pain can lead to far worse and immobilizing symptoms.
Your back is a puzzle that’s intricately made up of several highly active spinal joints, nerves, discs, and muscles. When one of these pieces begins to suffer from abnormal conditions, the entire area of the body is affected as a result. Some of the most common conditions include:
  • Herniated (or slipped) discs- When the soft tissues between the discs slides out. This painful event is caused by general wear and tear.
  • Spinal stenosis- When the spinal canal has narrowed due to aging. This can cause numbness in other parts of the body.
  • Sciatica- The sciatic nerve that runs from the lower back to the backside of the legs can be pinched and can cause severe dull or shooting pain.
  • Back spasms- Caused by improperly performing strenuous activities such as lifting or sports.
Day-to-day activities are the most popular catalysts for back complications. Whether you’re lifting frequently or sitting at a desk, the manner in which you perform at work can have a huge impact on your back’s health. However, your routine can have less stress on your body if you execute proper posture and quick exercises daily. Simple tips and exercises for healthy posture habits can always make a big difference.
Finding the root cause for your back pain can be tough. Luckily, there are physical therapists available to help. These specialists have all the tools and techniques needed for effectively alleviating pain all over the body. FYZICAL Buffalo has professionals who are certified to help you lead a pain-free life. If you’re in the area and suffering from pain, don’t delay making an appointment today!
Lower back pain is a common condition, with more than 80% of the population experiencing an episode of back pain at some point in their lives. Most cases of lower back pain subside within a few weeks; however, if the pain persists for more than 3 months, it is considered chronic. Chronic lower back pain negatively impacts your daily activities, work, sleep, and overall quality of life.

The physical therapists at FYZICAL Buffalo can determine the underlying cause of your chronic lower back pain and create an individualized treatment plan to decrease your pain, improve function, and enhance your quality of life.

Symptoms of Chronic Back Pain

Symptoms of chronic lower back pain vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of your pain. Common symptoms of chronic lower back pain include a deep pain or ache in your lower back and pain that increases with certain movements, including bending, twisting, or lifting. The pain may radiate down into your buttocks, legs, or feet and may be accompanied by weakness, tingling, or numbness. You may also experience lower back stiffness, muscle spasm, or muscle tightness. Symptoms of chronic low back pain can cause difficulties sleeping or resting and can make performing daily activities difficult.

Causes of Chronic Back Pain

Chronic lower back can be age-related, but can also occur due to pregnancy, overuse, injury, poor posture and body mechanics, unstable core muscles, gait abnormalities, and prolonged mental health conditions, such as stress or depression. Additionally, spinal conditions such as spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), compression fractures, or osteoarthritis, as well as disc issues, such as disc bulging or herniation, can cause chronic low back pain.

Benefits of Physical Therapy for Chronic Back Pain

Physical therapy helps to reduce chronic lower back pain, improve function, prevent further injury, and enhance quality of life.
If you or a loved one are struggling with chronic lower back pain, contact the physical therapists at FYZICAL Buffalo today to get started on a path toward pain-free living.

The Role of Physical Therapy for Chronic Back Pain

Physical therapy addresses the underlying cause of your chronic lower back pain. Physical therapists use a combination of therapies, including appropriately dosed exercise, manual therapy including manipulation, dry needling, electric stimulation, soft tissue therapy, and class IV Laser to relieve symptoms. Scientifically dosed stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as specific postural exercises to promote core stabilization, are the key to long-term functional improvements and prevention of further injury. Patient education in the science of pain is also extremely important as individuals with back pain often become very anxious and hyper-focused on their symptoms, resulting in fear avoidance behaviors.. Physical therapists educate patients on strategies to manage symptoms and prevent further injury so that they can continue to function and avoid the reoccurrence of pain.