What is Causing My Back Pain?

Back pain is a common issue for people of all ages and activity levels. In fact, an estimated 80% of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain can affect any part of the spine from neck to lower back, and can vary in intensity and duration. It can be caused by poor posture while sitting, lifting heavy objects incorrectly or straining the muscles in your back, among other things.

Back pain can have a serious impact on quality of life as it can interfere with work, leisure activities and sleep. People who suffer from chronic back pain are also more likely to suffer from depression as well as physical limitations such as difficulty walking or difficulty performing everyday tasks with ease. Additionally, chronic back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide.

There are ways to manage and even prevent back pain.

Physical therapy is an effective way to treat back pain since it focuses on specific muscle groups that need improvement. Through focused stretching, strengthening and aerobic exercises, people can improve their mobility and strength in the affected areas while at the same time reducing the risk of further injury. Additionally, we, as physical therapists, can also provide advice on proper posture, ergonomics and lifestyle modifications that can help reduce back pain.

Physical therapy for back pain is often combined with other treatments such as medications or injections. However, physical therapy offers multiple advantages over these other treatments as it does not involve surgery or drugs which could have unwanted side effects. Physical therapy helps strengthen the muscles and increase joint mobility, allowing for increased activity and a better quality of life. It can help reduce the need for medications or injections in some cases.

Part of the frustration and the continued aches and pains in your back is not knowing and understanding what is causing you to experience issues with back pain.

Here Are Common Things That Could Be Causing Your Back Pain

1. Sitting for long periods of time – Sitting for extended periods of time can lead to poor posture, which can put strain on your back muscles and lead to pain.

2. Carrying heavy objects – Lifting heavy items or carrying them in a way that puts strain on your back can cause pain, as the pressure caused by the weight damages your spinal structures and soft tissues.

3. Doing repetitive motions – Repetitive motions such as bending over and lifting or twisting can cause muscle fatigue and tension, leading to pain in your lower back.

4. Poor sleeping positions – Not using good sleep positions is a common factor that contributes to back pain; this includes sleeping on a mattress that does not provide enough support or having a poor pillow.

5. Not exercising enough – Regular exercise helps to strengthen your core muscles, which provide support for your back; if these muscles are weak, it can cause pain and discomfort in the lower back area.

Daily habits such as sitting for long periods of time, carrying heavy objects, doing repetitive motions, sleeping on improper mattresses or pillows and not exercising enough can all contribute to back pain.

To reduce and prevent this type of pain, it is important to be mindful of posture when sitting or lifting objects, vary movements and exercises regularly, get good quality sleep with a supportive mattress and pillow and make sure to do some form of physical activity every day. Taking small steps to promote better physical health can help reduce and even prevent back pain.

These daily activities may seem small but they have the power to make a big difference when it comes to your long-term back health! Making sure you’re taking care of yourself in these ways is an important part of living an overall healthy lifestyle.

How Can Exercise and Physical Therapy Help With Back Pain

Physical therapy can be a great way to treat and manage back pain. Through physical therapy, you will learn exercises that will help strengthen the muscles in your back, reduce inflammation and stiffness, improve posture, and provide relief from your symptoms. We can also recommend other treatments such as heat or cold packs to help with pain relief or massage to aid in relaxation. With regular treatment sessions, you can greatly improve your quality of life and reduce the severity of any future episodes of back pain.

When it comes to treating chronic lower back pain, early intervention is key. It is important that you seek out medical advice if your back pain persists for more than three months or if you experience any numbness or tingling sensations. By starting treatment early, you can prevent the condition from worsening.

Exercises are an important part of any back pain treatment program. Regular exercise helps keep your body strong and healthy, which in turn can help alleviate any pain or stiffness in the area.

Exercise should include stretching to improve flexibility and strengthen core muscles as well as aerobic activities like swimming or walking which can improve endurance. Alongside regular exercise it is also important to maintain good posture throughout the day and avoid any activities that may strain your back such as lifting heavy objects without proper form. Additionally, if possible, try taking breaks throughout the day to allow your back time to rest.

Is Back Pain Keeping You From Doing the Things You Love?

Do you have back pain that is keeping you from doing the things you love, then make sure to visit us so we can get you on the road to recovery!

Nobody likes to live in pain, and we know that you are looking for answers when it comes to the back pain that just won’t go away. If that sounds like you and you are ready to start the conversation on treatment for your pain, then visit us and take advantage of our back pain assessment!

We have worked with many patients that suffer from back pain and have gotten no answers on what could be causing it. Because of this, we recommend that you seek treatment as soon as possible to help you identify the problem and get back to your life pain-free.

To find out how our rehabilitative experts utilize a variety of physical therapy techniques that can help you overcome your pain and stay active, schedule a time to come see us by completing our online contact form in under 30 seconds or call our friendly team on (425) 252-3908.

Unsure whether we are right for you?

We understand that you may not have visited a Physical Therapy clinic before and be unsure whether it’s going to help you deal with back pain. That is why we invite you to come in for a Back Pain Assessment.

Arrange A Back Pain Assessment at one of our five locations (Bellevue, Everett, Factoria, Kirkland and Lake Stevens) today!