August 30, 2018

Shoot, That Pain is Back

TruMove—promoting healthier living through movement care and education in Overland Park KS, the greater Kansas City area, and beyond.

If you are suffering from lower back pain, you are not alone. While varied in intensity, causes, symptoms and duration, low back pain is one of the most common and notorious health-related culprits for limiting activity and decreasing productivity. It is non-discriminant, affecting the masses. In fact, statistics show that approximately 80 percent of the population will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives. Furthermore, 25 percent of people in the U.S. report having experienced low back pain in the last three months. This prevalence and recurrence, however, does not mean that your low back pain should be dismissed nor should it be accepted. Whether your pain is acute or chronic, it is not something to be ignored.

TOP THREE TREATMENTS FOR LOWER BACK PAIN

With so many lower back pain sufferers shuffling about the globe, treatment options and pain relief trends are plentiful. The number of low back pain specialist clinics from which to choose in the Kansas City area alone and more specifically, Overland Park KS, can be overwhelming. How do you know where to start? How can you be sure you are not wasting time, that you are heading down the right path to restored health, pain relief, and unrestricted movement?

DIAGNOSING YOUR LOWER BACK PAIN

Some low back pain sufferers immediately seek chiropractic care or see a spine specialist, assuming that their pain stems from an issue with the spine itself. While this is true at times, it is not always the answer. Injections and/or surgery should not typically be viewed as initial go-to treatment options. Others who feel their pain is due to tight muscles may try massage or acupuncture. While all of these options and specialists have their place and value, often lower back pain is the result of movement dysfunction. In such cases, physical therapy provides the most effective path to pain relief, recovery, and prevention of future injuries.

Watch Top 3 Treatments for Lower Back Pain

With a multitude of physical therapy clinics available, selecting the one that will get you the quickest, most effective, and lasting results can seem like a daunting task. Here’s the good news: your search is over! TruMove has become a trusted source in Overland Park KS, successfully serving the Kansas City area for over a decade. Our patients find relief from their pain through a variety of Physical Therapy and/or Priority Care treatment options. TruMove patients also learn about their condition on a personal level, allowing them to address current limitations and how to better prevent the recurrence of lower back pain in the future.

CAUSES OF LOWER BACK PAIN

Let’s start with the source of your low back pain. It may be easy to “diagnose” the issue because, let’s be honest, we all know when our back hurts, but often the source of the pain is less obvious. While causes vary, there are some that seem to be more prevalent than others. Poor posture is one of the biggest culprits. Repetitive activities such as lifting, carrying, and sitting down can also cause low back pain issues. Flare-ups can occur if you find yourself in the same position for prolonged periods of time—driving, desk work, standing or sitting. Sudden trauma resulting from falls, sports injuries, heavy lifting and car accidents may also cause acute onsets of low back pain.

SYMPTOMS OF LOWER BACK PAIN

Your symptoms will likely depend on the root cause of your low back pain. They may include stiffness when trying to move, a feeling of being stuck in a position (stooped forward), or difficulty getting out of a chair or bed. Muscle spasms can also result from low back pain and may be so severe that they become temporarily debilitating. Your pain may be dull, burning or sharp. It can be felt in a single point of origin or in a broad band across the low back.

Watch Top 3 Treatments for Lower Back Pain

Often, low back pain does not stay localized but refers to the upper back, abdomen, hips, down the legs (sciatica) and into the foot. When the pain stems from muscular trigger points, it can easily be treated by physical therapists. Sometimes the pain may be a result of nerve irritation so if you notice numbness, tingling or an onset of weakness in the legs or feet, be sure to mention that to your physical therapist during your assessment. If your pain is accompanied by the loss of bowel or bladder control, please seek emergency care immediately.

LOWER BACK PAIN TREATMENT & PREVENTION

Since low back pain is so broad in its array of causes, symptoms and treatment options, it may seem difficult to zero in on the best path to pain relief for you personally. Before scheduling a consultation with a surgeon or specialist, receiving an injection (which may provide some relief, but only temporarily), or resigning to a lifetime of chiropractic adjustments, there are some movement-based recommendations that may bring about big changes for you in a natural way.

Watch Top 3 Treatments for Lower Back Pain

Exercise has been linked to a 35% reduction in the risk for low back pain. If low back pain has already set in, stay active and continue your normal activities if possible because bed rest can actually slow down recovery. Core strengthening often brings about significant improvement and pain reduction for low back pain sufferers. Maintaining proper posture and positioning at work, home and during leisure activities will help alleviate and prevent pain. Using proper body mechanics when lifting, keeping the load close to your body, is extremely important. Please ask for help when lifting heavy objects. One last piece of advice (for now anyway): Keep moving—consistent physical activity will improve your fitness level, strength, balance and emotional state of mind. Live healthier and happier.

If you have any questions about your low back pain symptoms, available treatments, or how to prevent future injury, please reach out to us or visit our clinic in Overland Park KS. We have been serving the Kansas City area for over a decade and continue to expand our outreach, always striving for Better Health Through Motion!