Stop living with the symptoms of back pain, treat the cause

One of the most common sources of pain in adults is low back pain. According to surveys conducted by the American Physical Therapy Association, "Nearly two-thirds of Americans experience low back pain, but 37 percent do not seek professional help for pain relief." While most people have or will experience low back pain at some point or another in their lives, many people don't realize that they can prevent or treat the condition with the help of physical therapy.

For those living with low back pain, everyday tasks can even be a challenge. Most adults say that their back pain affects their ability to engage in everyday tasks, exercise and sleep. Low back pain isn't just for those who spend a lot of time on their feet. In fact, more than half of the people who experience low back pain spend their workday sitting. The majority of adults turn to pain medications and heat or cold packs as a way to relieve their symptoms.

While low back pain is a common problem, it doesn't have to be a common part of everyday life. At Pinnacle Physical Therapy we advise staying as active as possible and sticking to a normal routine. Bed rest for longer than a day can actually slow down the recovery process. Most low back pain is not serious; much of the time it is caused by overuse, strain or injury. Rarely, low back pain is caused by a more serious condition such as a herniated disc or osteoarthritis. If pain lasts more than a few days or gets worse, it may be advisable to make an appointment with a physical therapist.

At Pinnacle Physical Therapy we get to the source of your problem and develop a treatment plan based on your individual needs. This plan may include a combination of exercises to strengthen the back, manual therapy to improve the mobility of joints and soft tissues, and education about how to take better care of the back to relieve pain in the long term.

If you are suffering from back pain, it's time to stop focusing on the symptoms of your back pain and get to the cause to alleviate this pain altogether. Movement will provide you with the best long-term relief for your pain. At Pinnacle Physical Therapy our physical therapists are experts at restoring mobility, reducing pain and improving quality of life. Call one of our two convenient locations today to stop living with this pain! Post Falls (208) 777-4242 or Coeur d'Alene (208) 665-2000.