Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Back Pain


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 Central Silver Spring 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.

Understanding Back Pain

Physical therapy addresses the underlying cause of back pain.

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 Central Silver Spring 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.