Back Discomfort Changing Weekend Plans

Lower back discomfort and pain is very prevalent in our society and can greatly limit our ability to carry out daily tasks such as standing, walking, sitting and sleeping.  The number one complaint is pain and stiffness localized to the lower back. The pain can range anywhere from a mild nagging pain to a severe pain.  people suffering from this type of pain may feel very stiff, especially in the mornings and may find that they have to change positions frequently to alleviate symptoms. You could also experience radiating pain into the buttock/legs or into the mid back and driving can be very challenging, especially if you are experiencing radiating symptoms down your leg.
Lower back pain and discomfort can stem from many different sources in the spine.
One of the most common causes is degenerative changes that can occur in the vertebrae and discs which will restrict your normal mobility and put abnormal stress on the muscles and ligaments of the spine. Degenerative changes can also put increased pressure on the nerves that exit small holes between the vertebrae which will result in muscle spasms in the back and hips and radiating pain or weakness into the legs.
Disc herniations are also a common cause of low back pain which can cause significant inflammation and result in muscle spasms, stiffness, and radiating pain. Weakness of the muscles that surround and support the low back are very common and often contribute to accelerated degenerative changes and put you at risk for herniated and/or bulging discs. These muscle imbalances may cause your low back pain to become chronic and “nagging” causing you to start to slowly modify your normal life style.
Back pain and discomfort is not something you just “have to live with.”  In fact, if you wait to treat your low back pain, it can progress into more severe pain and discomfort.  In more severe cases, as a result of nerve compression in the lower back, you can start to experience numbness and weakness that radiates from the back down into the leg that extends into the foot causing burning, shooting or stabbing pains.  This can make it very difficult to stand while washing the dishes, or walk the dog and will sideline you further from participating in your weekend golf game or planned family outing.
Physical Therapy is one of the most successful treatment options!
Physical therapy will improve the mobility of the joints and muscles of the low back, improve your flexibility, resolve muscle spasms, and improve your muscle strength and balance of the hip, core, and back muscles. At Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, our therapists will help identify the exact source of your discomfort and pain, and address mobility and strength deficits that will allow you to have lasting relief so you can get back to the important things in life like playing with the kids, or going fishing with your buddies.
By Angie Austin
Call Loudoun Sports Therapy Center TODAY, at 704-450-4300 to schedule your evaluation with one of our therapists. They will fully evaluate your lower back and associated symptoms and help restore your full function and get you back to your weekend sports games and playing with the kids in no time!
CLICK HERE for more information on preventing back issues.