By Xavier Thompson, ATC
Back discomfort can be debilitating no matter what your walk of life. People living with back pain are often plagued by the inability to sleep, stiffness or difficulty with activities that they love. These may include running or hiking, gardening, walking the dog or playing with their grandchildren. Back pain is something we treat lots of patients for and they may be young athletes, active parents or older adults. At Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, our goal to help you treat your back problems through targeted strengthening and specific exercises so you can get you back to living life on your own terms.
Pain is a signal that something is wrong and often back pain is signal of issues up and down the chain. Your spine connects your upper body and your lower body so it is important that seek out the proper care as soon as possible to prevent other issues and to improve your quality of life.
Some common causes of back pain include:
- Poor Posture
- Core Weakness
- Poor Mechanics
- Weak Gluteal Muscles
- Degeneration
Like many conditions, when we have pain or discomfort in one area of the body, if we don’t handle it, it can start impacting another area of the body. Back pain is no different. Back problems can make it difficult for you to complete your daily routine whether that be going to the gym or just walking around the house to get various chores done. If you let this condition decrease your activity level, you are increasing your level dysfunction. As your dysfunction increases, you will increase your pain level. Then the cycle starts over. So you can see why it’s so critical that you handle any discomfort right away.
Physical therapy is an effective way to relieve your back pain and help you return to the activities that you enjoy. At Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, one of our expert physical therapists will evaluate your back and determine what’s causing your pain and discomfort. They will talk to you about your daily activities and goals so they are designing a plan of care that help you return to those things whether they include sleeping through the night, getting back to your fitness classes, going to ballroom dance class or walking to the bus stop with your grand kids. We will help you find the answers to ending your cycle of pain.
Some basic benefits of physical therapy include:
- Increasing your mobility
- Improving your posture
- Improve your movement quality
- Increasing the strength of muscles designed to decrease the load on your back
