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Why does my back hurt?
In the United States, people visit physicians for symptoms related to back pain almost as much as they do for a common cold. While most back pain and back aches happen irregularly and are hard to diagnose, the pain or discomfort felt in the back can become a chronic problem if it is not addressed properly. Back pain can be a result of an acute injury or may be associated with a more long-term injury or illness. Muscle strain is a very common cause of back pain and can be treated with physical therapy. Another cause of low back pain, buttock pain, hip pain or even leg pain may be attributed to dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint (SI joint). The symptoms of an SI joint dysfunction may feel very similar to pain caused by sciatica, which is also treatable with physical therapy.
Symptoms of back pain:
- pain or discomfort in upper back or lower back
- stiffness along the spine
- numbness in the back or legs
- tingling sensations in the back or legs
- sharp aches in the upper back or lower back
- soreness in the upper back or lower back
- muscle spasms in the back
- difficulty maintaining one position
Symptoms of back pain can often be felt in other areas of the body or even radiate to extremities such as arms or legs.
Possible reasons for back pain:
- Muscle strain
- Broken bones
- Scoliosis
- Herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Sciatica
- Degenerative disc disease
- Pinched nerves
- Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebrae)
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritic changes
- Weak core and low back muscles
- Poor sitting or standing posture
- Facet Joint Syndrome
It's OK if you don't have a prescription from your doctor.
Even if you don't have a prescription from your doctor, call one of our physical therapy clinics or use this form to book your appointment today. Learn more about direct access here.
Treatment for back pain
The treatment options for back pain will depend heavily on the condition at the root cause your back pain along with your symptoms and personal goals. Your physician can help you determine the best treatment options of your back pain, including physical therapy. If you don't have a prescription for physical therapy treatment from your doctor, you may still be able to visit an Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy location near you for treatment, depending on the rules of the state you live in.
Learn more about "direct access" policies in your state.
Treatment options for back pain include, but are not limited to:
Physical therapy is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of treatment methods for
injuries, conditions, and illnesses. At Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, we focus not
only on treating your condition, but also on helping you prevent future
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Aquatic therapy can be very effective when you have a condition that makes it painful to put weight on your lower extremities, such as arthritis, knee pain, hip pain, or low back pain. During aquatic therapy, the buoyancy of the water allows for less weight…
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The McKenzie Method is a way of assessing musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, ankle pain, and more. The McKenzie Method doesn't rely on x-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, medication, needles, or surgery. The goal of the…
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Our clinics that offer treatment for back pain:
