One of the most common issues encountered by physical therapists is inflammatory back pain. Back pain manifests in various forms, such as sciatica, muscle spasms, general deep aches, and muscle tightness. Several factors can contribute to the cause of low back pain, given the connection between the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hips. Dysfunction and poor alignment may restrict the muscles’ ability to activate and stabilize the lumbar spine during daily activities like sitting, standing, walking, bending, and lifting. Each individual has unique movement patterns and compensatory movements, which can result in certain areas of the back experiencing more stress, leading to inflammation and pain. Even inadequate ankle mobility can exacerbate back pain, as improper distribution of ground reaction force through the legs can affect joints up to the lumbar spine during walking.
Back pain can escalate from acute to chronic if the inflammatory process triggering it persists over time. Effective treatment of low back pain requires addressing the mechanics of the hips, sacrum, lumbar spine, and other joints throughout the body. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation by a physical therapist is crucial to determine the root cause of your low back pain and to receive personalized manual treatment to correct dysfunction and alleviate symptoms. As patients progress through our treatment program, they will be prescribed specific exercises to support corrected movement patterns. For lasting relief from low back pain, schedule an evaluation with a physical therapist at Innovative Physical Therapy. Call to schedule a FREE discovery visit by calling (904) 280-2002 or visit mymanualpt.com.
