Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain

Timely physical therapy care is highly effective in treating this common condition

Low Back Pain

Low back pain. If you are experiencing low back pain, you are not alone. Lower back pain is a common condition that many individuals experience at some point in their lifetime. In fact, back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a physician or miss work. From an acute episode directly caused by an injury to long-lasting limitations and pain due to a chronic injury, low back pain is a complex condition with substantial effects on healthcare spending and utilization.

Fortunately, physical therapy is becoming an accepted and recommended course of care for many patients suffering from low back pain. Your physical therapist is an affordable, accessible, and effective low back pain resource that can successfully restore your movement, protect you from further injury, and reduce or completely eliminate your pain. Join the many patients in the Greater St. Louis area who have experienced significant low back pain relief and a return to normal activities because of the expert care and patient-centered approach of Axes Physical Therapy. Discover how we can help you achieve lasting low back pain relief by sending us a message or selecting the location nearest you today.

Prevalence of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is a common issue that an estimated 80% of individuals experience at some point during their lifetime. Due to its high prevalence, it is also one of the most common causes of disability and of missed workdays in adults in the US, accounting for approximately 149 million lost workdays per year. There are many different causes and types of lower back pain, each with different risk factors, but in general lower back pain is most common in adults in their 50’s and 60’s, with the first attack typically occurring between the ages of 30 and 50.

Low back pain is generally categorized as either acute or chronic. The majority of lower back pain cases are acute, with a duration of a few days to a few weeks. Often, people suffering from acute low back pain find relief within a few days without the need for major treatment.

However, about 20 percent of individuals experiencing acute low back pain develop chronic or recurring episodes of pain with a duration exceeding 12 weeks of persistent pain. Most of the patients in this category are still able to find relief from their pain through physical therapy and related treatments.

Lower Back Pain Causes

Lower back pain is a complex issue and there are commonly multiple factors for your physical therapist to consider when determining the proper course of treatment.

Thus, when seeking treatment for low back pain, the first step for your medical provider(s) is understanding the cause. As physical therapists, we are experts in movement and movement dysfunction. When you attend your initial evaluation or come for a free injury screening. One of our licensed physical therapists will work with you to understand where your lower back pain issue arises through the following:

  • A review of your medical history
  • An interview about your symptoms and limitations
  • A physical examination
  • Screenings to rule out other serious health conditions
  • An assessment of your movement

Common causes of low back pain:

  • Congenital
    • Skeletal irregularities
    • Spina Bifida
    • Scoliosis
  • Injuries
    • Strains and sprains
    • Spasms
    • Traumatic spine injuries
  • Degenerative Conditions
    • Spondlyosis
    • Inflammatory Disease (ie: arthritis)
  • Nerve and spinal cord issues
    • Spinal nerve compression, inflammation
    • Hermiated and ruptured discs
    • Nerve disorders such as sciatica
    • Spinal stenosis
    • Infections
  • Non-Spine Related Sources
    • Pregnancy
    • Tumors
    • Kidney Stones
    • Some Infections

Lower Back Pain Treatments

As lower back pain is a condition commonly caused by multiple factors, it is often appropriate for a lower back pain treatment course to include different treatments. Your St. Louis area low back pain physical therapist may treat your pain with:

  • Manual therapies
    • Joint mobilization/manipulation
    • Soft tissue mobilization
    • Trigger point massage
  • Strength training
  • Aerobic exercise
  • Core stabilization
  • Stretches and flexibility exercises
  • Ice and heat applications
  • Ultrasound therapy
  • Trigger point dry needling
  • Education on back and spine safety
  • Education regarding proper posture and body mechanics for activities such as lifting, sitting, and sleeping
  • When appropriate, other lifestyle adjustments such as diet and reaching a healthy weight

At Axes Physical Therapy, your low back pain will be evaluated and treated by highly qualified physical therapists with years of experience treating complex spine and back problems like yours in the St. Louis region. Our evidence-based treatments have been proven successful in managing and eliminating lower back pain for many of our patients. However, in some rare cases, lower back pain is caused by a more serious issue that requires additional treatment such as steroid injections or surgery as an alternative if conservative care doesn’t resolve your condition. We partner closely with your referring physician to determine the best course of management if you are not responding as expected.

Physical Therapy for Lower Back Pain

As a patient at Axes Physical Therapy, we tailor your lower back pain physical therapy program to your individual needs. This patient-centered approach allows us to provide quality, outcome-based, and personalized care to each patient we see. This is especially valuable in low back pain treatment, which is often complex and multifactoral.

Success in low back pain treatment depends upon proactive care and timely intervention. driven by your feedback as the patient. Recent data suggests that recovery and symptom reduction is directly influenced by the timing of interventions during an acute episode of low back pain. Rapid accessibility to a physical therapist has been shown to reduce opioid use and results in a reduction in downstream medical costs. Physical therapy is an excellent form of treatment for low back pain, as it addresses the source of your pain effectively with little to no side effects, while its ability to provide relief is supported by substantial evidence.

Our team of highly trained spine specialists has years of experience and multiple certifications as experts in the management of low back pain and other painful spinal conditions. Treatment by our spine and back experts not only provides relief from pain but also helps protect you from further damage or injury. Our dedication to restoring your ability to live and move without pain means you receive the safest and most effective treatment solutions available.

Greater St. Louis Low Back Pain Treatment at Axes Physical Therapy

If you are living with back pain, it is time to try physical therapy treatment and enjoy relief. Receive evidence-based treatment and individualized care designed and administered by the talented licensed physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy. We will put you on the track towards complete recovery, restoring your movement, eliminating your lower back pain, and preventing further back issues or disability. In our hands, your lower back pain will soon be a thing of the past.

Receive premium physical therapy care at one of our conveniently locally owned and operated St. Louis County area locations right away. Take the first step toward effective, affordable Greater St. Louis low back pain treatment by selecting the location nearest you or sending us a message online today.

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