Sports focused physical therapy & performance training in Algonquin, IL
What We Treat
Lower Back Pain
OTHER AILMENTS
Back Pain Relief
Are you experiencing back pain and finally want to seek treatment? Back pain is common. In fact, 80% of people will experience back pain during their lifetime. Often back pain is recurrent and is the number one cause for missing work. Pain can be localized in the spine, or occur on one side, or travel to the buttocks and down into the legs as pain, numbness and/or tingling. When pain is in the leg, it is commonly referred to SCIATICA. This pain can become more prevalent after the age of 35, especially for those who sit for long periods of time, bend and lift heavy objects, or are in sports that involve frequent twisting or heavy forces of impact. If symptoms do not quickly improve, it’s important to seek the advice of a physical therapist to avoid the condition from becoming chronic (lasting over 3 months).
What Causes Back Pain
Sprain/Strain of Muscles and/or Ligaments
Strains occur when a muscle is stretched too far and tears, damaging the muscle itself.
Sprains happen when the ligaments are over-stretched and/or torn. Ligaments provide stability to the spine by connecting the bones together.
This can happen from falls, repetitive twisting, or lifting heavy objects. While sprains and strains do not sound serious and do not typically cause long-lasting pain, the acute pain can be quite severe. Sometimes, muscles will spasm to protect the body from further movement. Absolute rest is contraindicated and providing the body with guided progressive movement will promote healing.
Over time, poor posture can put undo stress on other body parts. This may cause muscle imbalance and decreased range of motion and often leads to pain and discomfort. It can be from prolonged sitting or poor lifting mechanics. Most often people are aware their posture is bad, but are unsure how to effectively fix it.
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
At birth, our intervertebral discs are full of water and at their healthiest. As we age, discs lose hydration and wear down. As the disc loses hydration and height, it is not able to resist forces as well which can lead to disc collapse, stenosis, or herniation. Degenerative disc disease occurs when the cushioning in your spine begins to wear away. The condition is most common in older adults. After age 40, most people experience some spinal degeneration and it is not known why some feel discomfort and others do not.
The jelly-like center of a lumbar disc can break through the tough outer layer and irritate a nearby nerve root. The herniated portion of the disc is full of proteins that can quickly cause inflammation and nerve root compression. The disc wall is also richly supplied by nerve fibers, and a tear through the wall can cause severe pain, including numbness and tingling down into the buttocks and legs.
This is a condition where one vertebra has moved out of place. Commonly seen in gymnasts, cheerleaders, and football lineman, as their spines tends to extend backwards with too much repetitive force. The pain can be caused by instability in the back or compression of the nerves.
Referred to as “osteoarthritis” of the spine. Often this leads to a decrease in flexibility and strength. As we age, these symptoms become more prevalent. Changes can occur with repeated trauma or microtrauma, occupations that involve heavy physical labor, or poor lifting mechanics.
The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum at the bottom of the spine to each side of the pelvis. It is a strong, slow-motion joint that primarily absorbs shock and tension between the upper body and the lower body. The sacroiliac joint can become painful if it becomes inflamed or if there is too much or too little motion of the joint. Women tend to have more SI related symptoms than men, due to their wider pelvic angle and lesser muscle mass. Often, gymnasts and dancers have SI pain due to their high need for flexibility.
A common condition that occurs when the sciatic nerve which runs from each side of your spine down to your legs becomes pinched or compressed by surrounding tissues or muscles spasm. With sciatica, inflammation at the nerve root can cause weakness in the legs or impaired sensation in the leg. Sciatica can be caused by degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or osteoarthritis.
This condition causes pain due to narrowing of the spinal canal where the nerve roots are located. The narrowing can be central (where the spinal cord is), foraminal (where the individual nerves exit), or both. Stenosis can occur at a single level or at multiple levels in the lower back. This can progress over time and become more severe. In severe cases, surgery may be indicated.
Our Physical therapists at Athletic Edge and Wellness in Algonquin will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the treatment plan that is right for you and your condition. The goal of the therapy will be to restore normal range of motion, increase flexibility, increase strength, and improve any functional imbalances. They will work with you to be able to return to the activities you enjoy.
Physical Therapy at Athletic Edge and Wellness should be your first choice when seeking intervention to relieve back pain. As movement experts, we assess the whole body and determine what may be at the root of your pain. We treat the cause, not just the symptoms. Treatment may include:
Manual therapy; including massage, cupping or myofascial decompression
Non-invasive modalities, like electrical stimulation and ultrasound
Therapeutic exercises, stretches, and evidence-based core stabilization protocols
Robust research has proven that physical therapy is effective for those who suffer from back pain or sciatica pain. It’s safe, cost-effective, drug-free, and non-invasive. Physical therapy treatment can even reduce the need for pain medications and expensive imaging studies like MRIs and X-rays! Early intervention for back pain consistently decreases your length of treatment and your cost. You don’t have to wait for the care you need to help you MOVE BETTER, PERFORM BETTER, and BE BETTER. Call us today, at 224-505-3343, for an appointment at our state-of-the-art performance training facility in Algonquin, IL and let us help you kick your back pain to the curb!
How Can Physical Therapy Help Provide Back Pain Relief?
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