Back pain is commonly the result of damage to the back muscles or ligaments attached to the spine or to the spinal discs. It does not always result from a single event but can result from the cumulative effect of repeated activities or trauma. Our lifestyle, the way we work, play, sleep, eat, handle stress or exercise all play a factor.

Common causes of back pain:

poor posture injury during physical labor exercise sports activities repetitive motion

poor work habits lack of physical fitness motor vehicle accidents poor sleeping habits obesity

Other causes of back pain may be caused by chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, infection, and tumor.

Low back pain is most prevalent between the ages of 25-55. 80% of the population will experience some low back pain during their lifetime, and once experienced, there is a likelihood the pain may be episodic.

Physical therapy can help acute and chronic neck and back pain resulting from a variey of diagnosis. Types of conditions include but are not limited to:

• neck and lumbar sprains and strains
• degenerative disc and joint disease of the spine
• bulging or slipped discs
• stenosis
• myofascial pain of the back and neck
• chronic headaches
• TMJ dysfunction

Although there is a belief by most patients that back pain occurs as a result of a traumatic event, most often it begins with no specific reason. Or a patient may relate an event that occurred several days before the low back pain actually began. With further investigation, it can be determined that it is poor postures and positions in which the person is in after that activity that aggravates or causes the back pain not the activity itself. So it is important to learn the proper postures during sitting, lifting and bending, and ways to minimize the likelihood of developing low back pain. Activities that aggravate the patient's symptoms should be temporarily avoided until the pain is under control.

Available treatment for back pain depends on its causes and severity. It usually begins with rest to allow inflamed or injured tissues to heal. As the healing completes, a prescribed program of corrective and strengthening low back exercise may be implemented. Physical therapy may be necessary to learn and practice the exercises along with the possible addition of heat/cold therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, soft tissue mobilization, and iontophoresis.

Once pain has been controlled, an aerobic conditioning program can be implemented to assist in bringing nutrients to spinal structures, like the discs, which have a relatively poor blood supply. Body movements and aerobic activity help with this and to keep the spine healthy.

Flexibility and strengthening exercises may also be incorporated into the physical therapy program to help return the patient back to optimum quality of life. Careful movements suggested by your therapist can safely ease pain by providing nutrition and lubrication to injured areas. Flexibility helps to reduce pain by keeping the spine in a more neutral position as does strengthening the muscles that support the spine.

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