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Chronic Back Pain

Back Pain in Mechanicsburg, PA

Back pain is a common problem that affects millions of people each year. Most people experience some type of back pain at least once in their lifetime. For some, the pain is temporary and will resolve with time. For others, however, the pain can persist and become chronic. Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, such as muscle strain, poor posture, injury, or degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. The symptoms of back pain can be debilitating and may affect quality of life.

If you are experiencing back pain, you are not alone. At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers in Mechanicsburg, our physical therapists see lots of people with back pain. We are here to help with a range of treatment tools to alleviate the symptoms of back pain and restore movement. We also offer a wide range of information and resources to help our patients understand and manage their back pain.

To find out more about back pain therapy, schedule an appointment with our experienced physical therapy team in Mechanicsburg.

Man suffering from back pain Mechanicsburg

The Spine Is Complex And Back Pain Is Common

The spine is made up of four main regions: the cervical region (the neck), the thoracic region (the upper back), the lumbar region (the lower back), and the sacral region (at the base of the spine). Throughout each of these regions are important structures in the spine, including the vertebrae (spinal bones) and the muscles, ligaments, and soft tissue. The nerves run through the protected channels in the vertebrae and travel out to the limbs to provide sensation and control movement in the arms and legs.

All these structures work together to provide both strength and flexibility in the spine. This allows for various movements, including bending, straightening, tilting, twisting, and lifting. However, due to this complexity, the spine is susceptible to pain and injury at times. 

Chronic Back Pain in Mechanicsburg

As a result, our team sees many cases of acute and chronic back pain in Mechanicsburg. For every patient that walks through our doors, we make sure to diagnose the underlying cause of the pain and design an individualized treatment plan to help restore function.

Back Pain Therapy Mechanicsburg

What Is Back Pain? 

Back pain is the general term for the discomfort or pain felt in the upper, middle, or lower back. The symptoms can be dull or sharp or may be felt as a throbbing or shooting sensation. The pain can be experienced anywhere along the back, and may sometimes even radiate into the arms or legs. There are many causes of back pain, including injuries, specific conditions like herniated discs, and musculoskeletal issues.

Diagnosing Back Pain

As there are so many different types of back pain, it’s important to consult a health professional to get an accurate diagnosis. At our clinic, diagnosis involves a thorough discussion about any symptoms, relevant medical history, and aggravating or easing factors. Our physical therapists also perform a physical examination to assess strength, range of motion, flexibility, sensation, and more.

In some cases of severe or persistent pain, or if there is a history of trauma such as an accident, imaging may be required. Imaging can help determine the affected structures and make an accurate diagnosis. We liaise with local doctors to help with this. An accurate diagnosis is important before any treatment begins to ensure the right course of action and to prevent symptoms from getting worse.

Common Signs And Symptoms Of Back Pain

Back pain is unique to each person who experiences it. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, or dull to sharp. Some people only experience symptoms in the morning or in the evening, whilst others may experience symptoms intermittently throughout the day. 

However, there are several common signs and symptoms associated with back pain. These can include:

  • Muscle aches
  • Joint stiffness
  • Shooting or stabbing pain
  • Tingling or numbness in the legs or arms
  • Pain with standing or walking
  • Limited range of motion in the back
  • Pain that radiates to other parts of the body, such as the legs or arms
  • Pain during everyday tasks like shopping or working 

There are also some rare signs and symptoms, called “red flags” that can indicate a serious underlying medication condition. If any red flags signs and symptoms are present, it’s critical to seek urgent medical attention. These can include bladder or bowel incontinence, unrelenting or night pain, sudden loss of strength or weakness, dizziness, fever, loss of consciousness, and more.

The Types Of Back Pain

There are several types of back pain, each affecting a different area of the spine. These include:

Cervical Pain: This type of pain affects the neck and upper back. It is often caused by poor posture, injury, or degenerative conditions such as arthritis. Symptoms can include stiffness, headaches, and pain in the shoulders and arms.

Thoracic Pain: This type of pain affects the middle to upper back. It can be caused by poor posture, injury, or conditions such as scoliosis or osteoporosis. Symptoms can include muscle spasms, stiffness, and discomfort in the upper back.

Lumbar Pain: This type of pain affects the lower back. It is one of the most common types of back pain and can be caused by poor posture, injury, or conditions such as herniated discs or degenerative disc disease. Symptoms can include muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain in the lower back and legs.

Sacral Pain: This type of pain affects the lower back and hips. It may be caused by injury, poor posture, or conditions such as sciatica. Symptoms can include shooting pain, stiffness, and pain in the lower back, hips, and legs.

It's important to note that back pain can be caused by a variety of factors so it is always best to consult a medical professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Causes Of Back Pain

Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injuries, musculoskeletal issues, or specific conditions that affect the spine. There are many potential causes of back pain, but some of the common causes include:

  • Muscle strain or injury
  • Ligament sprain
  • Joint spasms
  • Specific conditions that affect the spine, such as a herniated disc
  • Age-related conditions such as osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis
  • Genetic conditions such as ankylosing spondylosis 
  • Trauma, including car accidents or falls 
  • Pregnancy
  • Illness 
  • Overuse or overload (more commonly seen in sports or manual jobs)
  • Stress 

It's important to note that not all back pain is caused by an underlying medical condition, and some cases may be related to everyday activities, such as poor posture or lack of exercise. Additionally, issues such as anxiety or depression may also contribute to worsening symptoms. However, there are some cases where an underlying medical condition is the cause of the pain and requires immediate medical assessment. This includes trauma, fractures, infection, tumors, and more.

Ways To Get Rid Of Back Pain

Treating back pain can involve a combination of different approaches, depending on the underlying cause of the pain and the severity of the symptoms. At our clinic, we use several tools to treat back pain, including:

  • Exercises in the clinic and at home
  • Techniques like massage and dry needling 
  • Education for strategies, such as sitting with good posture 
  • Lifestyle changes including general health and fitness
  • Clinical Pilates and other exercise classes 
  • Referrals to other therapies, such as occupational therapy

The best course of action will depend on the cause and severity of the pain, as well as overall health and medical history. For those experiencing back pain in Mechanicsburg, PA, consider seeking help from our physical therapists for a personalized back pain therapy plan.

How Our Physical Therapist Help 

Our physical therapists work with each patient to identify the underlying cause of their pain and develop a treatment plan to help alleviate it. We understand that every person with back pain is different, so we design and tailor each treatment plan to our patient’s specific needs and goals.

At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, one of the primary ways that our physical therapists can help with back pain is through exercises that target the muscles of the back, core, and legs. These exercises can help to strengthen and stabilize the spine, which can reduce pain and improve function. Our physical therapists also use manual therapies to alleviate pain and relieve muscle tension, including massage, taping, and acupuncture. We also use education to teach our patients how to reduce pain during everyday activities. This can include education about the condition, ways to correct posture or strategies for everyday life to prevent further injury. 

Our physical therapists get to the root cause of the symptoms, helping patients to find relief from back pain in Mechanicsburg. Speak to our experienced team of physical therapists to discover your treatment options.

Don’t Let Back Pain Hold You Back

Low back pain is very common. The symptoms can be debilitating and persistent – but there is help available. Our trained physical therapists in Mechanicsburg can design and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. 

If you have been struggling with pain, discomfort, or limitations with the things you enjoy, then it's time to seek back pain treatment at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers in Mechanicsburg, PA. Browse our website to learn more about managing and treating this common problem.

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