Back pain can creep up on us after simply sitting too frequently and for long periods of time, after a bad night’s sleep, after strenuous activity such as repeated lifting, or after participating in leisurely sports. This could even prevent us from standing straight, and bending over to tie our shoes or do the laundry.
Signs and symptoms:
- Muscle ache
- Shooting or stabbing pain
- Pain that radiates down your leg
- Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, standing or walking
- Pain that improves with reclining
Some common causes:
- Muscle or Ligament Strain/Sprain
- Bulging or Ruptured Disc- (compression of the intervertebral discs resulting in bulge outward (herniation) or rupture
- Radiculopathy- compression, inflammation and/or injury to a spinal nerve root
- Arthritis
- Skeletal Injuries/Deformities
Why You Should Address Back Pain Right Away:
It is important to address the cause of your back pain when it starts. An appropriate plan of care can prevent you back issues from getting worse. If left untreated, common back injuries can become more complicated and lead to increased pain and joint damage which can make just sitting at your desk in the office difficult. If back pain is not addressed it may even lead to difficulty driving or sleeping.
How Physical Therapy Can Help:
Surgery is not always the answer for back issues. There are ways that physical therapy can help. At Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, our Physical Therapists will help you improve your strength, stability and posture so you can stand straight once again.
A Physical Therapist can assess your injury and come up with a plan of care that will help you get back to your daily activities so you can stand straight and tall once again. Why wait to get started when we can help you today! Receive a personalized evaluation and plan of care that is specific to your individual needs and goals.
By Shannon O’Donnell, MS, ATC
