Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Back Pain at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers - Hermitage North

Chronic back pain is very common. Most people experience it at least once in their lifetime. For most people, the pain is temporary. But back pain can become long-lasting (chronic) if a person has ongoing poor posture and body mechanics, unstable core muscles, ongoing walking (gait) issues, or if under stress and/or depression.
Low back pain can happen anywhere below the ribs and above the legs. The lower back bears most of the body’s weight. Therefore, there can be many causes for the pain, such as injury, aging, pregnancy, herniated disc, compression fractures, joint issues, illness, genetic spine issues and overuse.

Physical Therapy and Chronic Back Pain

Physical therapy is widely used to treat chronic back pain. Most patients receive a combination of treatments recommended by a physical therapist to get to the root cause of the problem.
Your back is highly complex, with interlocking elements of vertebrae, facet joints, discs, muscles, and ligaments. This complexity requires that chronic back pain receive a strong physical therapy-based treatment plan to ensure rapid and complete recovery.

What to Expect at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers

The first step at your initial appointment at the FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center in Hermitage, TN, is a comprehensive assessment. Your physical therapist conducts tests and a thorough exam to determine the underlying causes of your chronic back pain.
Then, they develop a customized treatment plan for short-term pain relief and long-term recovery.
The foundation of physical therapy treatments is hands-on manual therapy. Your physical therapist targets pain points to reduce inflammation and increase mobility.
Once your pain reduces, you will work to improve your strength and stability. Your physical therapist may even provide ergonomic advice for your home or workplace to reduce the risk of future chronic back pain.

Therapy for Chronic Back Pain

Active and passive therapy are two types of physical therapies that relieve chronic back pain. At the FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center in Hermitage, TN, your physical therapist combines these treatments to ensure rapid results, so you can return to the activities you enjoy.

Passive PT

Early on, your physical therapist uses passive therapies to reduce your pain and inflammation, making it possible for you to engage in more active therapies. They may use:

• TENS units
• Heat/ice packs
• Ultrasound
• Hands-on manual therapy
• Massage
• Soft tissue or joint manipulation

Active PT

Active PT is vital in the process of rehabilitating the spine. To get effective results, your therapist will develop a specific program for you that may include a combination of:

• Stretching
• Strengthening exercises
• Lumbar stabilization exercises
• Low-impact aerobic conditioning
• Specific symptom-mitigating therapeutic exercises

If you have been struggling with aches, pain or an inability to do the things you enjoy, isn’t it time to choose a physical therapist at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers in Hermitage, TN?