Do you suffer from back pain that limits you from doing day to day activities? Many people struggling with pain make the mistake of leaning on prescription medications for relief, but drugs only mask the symptoms. They don’t target or correct the source of the pain. Thankfully, there is something that has been proven to work: physical therapy. Back pain is such a common condition that many people consider it a normal part of life and it can be reoccuring — but you don’t have to suffer. To start, know when to see a physical therapist for your pain, learn how to choose the right physical therapist to treat it, and ask smart questions about the tests and treatments your PT suggests.
Finding the right practitioner can be the key to solving your back pain problem
Here are some important questions to ask a licensed PT:
Are you comfortable treating back pain problems using a conservative, holistic (non-surgical) approach?
What percentage of the patients you see have back pain problems?
What type of exercise can you teach me that will lead to a successful recovery?
In general, the goals of physical therapy are to decrease pain, increase function, and educate the patient on maintenance to prevent further occurrences.Be an active partner with your physical therapist in the treatment of your back problem.
The following will help you get the answers you need from your PT:
Why are you recommending this treatment for me?
Is there any problem doing this treatment along with the other treatments I am pursuing?
Are there any possible problems that can occur with this treatment? What should I do if these occur?
What are the best types of exercises to do for back pain?
Is there anything I shouldn’t do if I have back pain?
Warning Signs: When to see a PT for your back pain
Weakness in one or both of your legs and/or feet
A serious trauma to your spine, such as a car accident or fall or sports incident
Back pain that awakens you at night that is throbbing and aching
Problems with your bowel (loss of feeling), bladder (trouble with urination), or numbness in your groin area
To be best prepared, make a full list of possible factors that may be contributing to your back pain including everyday activities, job, stressful life events, sports, accidents, falls, and family history.
Physical therapists don’t only treat the pain but they find the root cause in order to restore mobility and overall function. If you are experiencing back pain, let us help you. Call us at 281-888-0047 to schedule an appointment.