Low Back Pain Specialist

What causes back pain?

Many factors can cause back aches and lower back pain. Back pain can usually be grouped into four categories including:

• Injuries- fractures and sprains to the bones and muscles frequently caused by trauma like a fall
• Mechanical- a mechanical issue with the way the spine moves
• Infections and tumors- Osteomyelitis is an infection and tumors can put pressure on the spine, causing pain
• Conditions and diseases- Scoliosis, arthritis, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, and ankylosing spondylitis as well as conditions such as pregnancy and fibromyalgia

Emotional and stress-related pain can also be a cause. When the lower back is involved it is frequently the result of sciatica. However, other causes including trauma, osteoarthritis, repetitive/overuse injuries, and spinal conditions like spondylolisthesis, where one vertebra slips forward over the other, and spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal can also be to blame.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition which occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched or aggravated at the spot where it leaves the spine at the lower back. Sciatica is frequently connected with the occurrence of a herniated disc. This can cause swelling which presses on the nerve. Since the sciatic nerve travels through each leg, symptoms including discomfort, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness are commonly felt along part or all of the nerves path, including in the thighs and buttocks. Sciatica is more prevalent among people who are overweight, those who wear high heels on a continual basis, people who sit or stand for extended periods of time, and people whose mattresses do not offer the proper support. The condition is also frequent in pregnant women as their belly grows and puts increased pressure on the spine and the nerves.

How does physical therapy help relieve lower back pain and sciatica?

Physical therapy helps to relieve the condition by reducing swelling which can cause pressure to build up on nerves in addition to reducing stiffness in muscles and other soft tissues. This increases the person’s range of motion and flexibility. Both exercises and hands-on techniques can assist to encourage healthy circulation for quicker and more successful healing. In addition, special exercises and strengthening techniques assist patients with developing a stronger core, allowing them to avoid painful symptoms in the long term. Each therapy program will be created based on the patient's unique symptoms and his or her goals for treatment.