Reasons people in Grand Rapids, MI, may need physical therapy for low back pain

Low back pain is a very common condition that affects millions of Americans every year. For many, back pain is a temporary condition that is treatable with a little rest and home remedies. However, for others, back pain is related to a long-lasting condition that cannot be treated with home remedies. 

Chronic back pain limits your range of motion can spread into other parts of your body, such as your shoulders, arms or legs. It can grow worse over time without treatment, resulting in further problems and potentially requiring surgery for treatment. Fortunately, many conditions that cause low back pain can be treated with physical therapy. 

Reasons you may need physical therapy for low back pain

At Advent Physical Therapy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, our team treats a variety of conditions that cause back pain. Several of these conditions are long-lasting and recurring, and others are more sudden and sharp. 

Physical therapists specialize in many treatments for the conditions that cause low back pain. You may need to see a physical therapist for low back pain treatment if: 

• You have muscle tension — Tension in the muscles in your back and abdomen can reduce your range of motion and put pressure on your spine. This pressure on the spine can affect the nerves running through it, which causes pain and other issues.Physical therapists can help reduce the tension in your muscles to improve the stability for your spine and reduce the pressure off your nerves.
• You have a herniated disc — The discs between your vertebrae are supposed to protect the vertebrae from friction and to absorb shock from an impact. An injury or debilitating condition can cause the fluid in the disc to burst out of its shell, which puts pressure on the nerves in your spine.Physical therapists can use exercises and manual therapy to help reduce the pressure and pain caused by a herniated disc.
• You have sciatica — Pressure in the lower back can cause inflammation in the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve strand in your body. The sciatic nerve stems into each of your legs, so it’s common for sciatic nerve pain to spread from your lower back into your buttocks and thighs.Physical therapists can guide you through stretches and exercises that reduce the pressure off the sciatic nerve. They may also use manual therapy and electrical stimulation to help reduce the pain and improve your range of motion.
• You have arthritis — Arthritis causes the cartilage in your spine to break down, which creates friction between the vertebrae. There are more than 100 types of arthritis that can affect you. Physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment for your arthritis based on its cause and other factors like age, weight and medical history. 

Visit Advent Physical Therapy for low back pain treatment

Do you have long-lasting pain in your lower back or have you recently experienced a sudden sharp pain? Our physical therapists at Advent Physical Therapy in Grand Rapids can help. Contact our team today for more information about low back pain treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.