How You Can Overcome Your Lower Back Pain or Sciatica Without Surgery, Resting, or Taking Painkillers

If you suffer from back pain, this article may help you find relief sooner that you ever imagined.

 

It turns out seeing a Doctor of Physical Therapy may not only get you pain free faster, but your individualized program can help you avoid a trip to the doctor entirely!

 

Here’s why…

 

If you are one of the many unfortunate people who suffer from back pain, you already know what a powerful, negative impact it can have on your life.
The reality is, four out of five people will experience back pain during their lifetime.

 

It’s so common that lower back pain is THE leading cause of disability worldwide!

 

A frightening statistic.

 

But these numbers don’t matter when you’re suffering with pain…

 

You just want to know what’s causing it, and how you can make it stop. Fast!

 

Which of these symptoms do you have?

 

You need fast relief for those all too familiar signs and symptoms:

 

• Muscle ache
• Shooting or stabbing pain
• Pain that radiates down your leg
• Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, standing or walking
• Pain that improves with reclining

 

Well, science has now proven that physical therapy is central to becoming pain-free, as we’ll see…

 

There are many causes for back pain. Knowing the cause of your pain will have a direct effect on your treatment plan. Here are the most common causes:

 

• Muscle or ligament strain
• Bulging or ruptured disks
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Skeletal issues in the spine (i.e. scoliosis)

 

Are You Doing Everything You Can?

 

Now, before we talk about how physical therapy can help, let’s discuss things you can do to minimize your risks of developing back pain…

 

Here they are:

 

Age (ok, so this one you can’t control…just know that the older you are the higher the risk).

 

Lack of exercise.

 

Excess weight.

 

Improper lifting.

 

Psychological conditions.

 

Smoking.

 

Note that aside from age, all of these contributors are largely under your control.

 

All too often, because you’re in such pain, doctors may prescribe powerful pain medication. And while your first call may be to your physician, here’s why you should insist on getting a proper physical therapy program in place as soon as possible…

 

“Researchers reviewed insurance claims for approximately 150,000 adults, ages 18 to 64, who had been newly diagnosed with low back pain. They found that those who first consulted a physical therapist had an 89% lower probability of receiving an opioid prescription compared with those who saw another type of medical provider. They were also less likely to have an MRI or CT scan or to seek out emergency care for their pain.”

 

– Source: Health Services Research

 

 

But Why Physical Therapy?

 

So what makes physical therapy such a key part of your treatment?

 

Not too long ago, if you suffered from serious back pain, you would most likely be told to immobilize your back and rest.

 

It turns out that advice is dead wrong…and may even cause a bout of back pain to stick around longer!

 

“Babying” the back does not bring relief.

 

Another treatment that once was far more common is surgery. But studies now show that surgery is rarely needed to treat back pain. And in many cases, it provides little or no relief.

 

The conclusion? “Physical therapy and exercise are likely to offer the most relief.”

 

Physical therapists – such as those at Back in Motion Physical Therapy & Performance– are extensively trained on very specific strengthening movements and flexibility movements, which speed healing by increasing blood flow to the injured area.

 

In addition, because the back is such a complex structure, the treatment plan must be highly individualized. A “cookie cutter” solution simply won’t work.

 

Our Fort Myers Florida Physical Therapy clinic and Cape Coral Florida Physical Therapy Clinic provide these highly individualized treatment plans.

 

There are three primary reasons to see a physical therapist for your low back pain:

 

1. To get relief from pain! This is the most obvious reason.
2. To have a trained eye there to make sure you are performing your treatment exercises correctly
3. To put together an exercise program that is specific to you and your needs!

 

A Common Trap…

 

Because low back pain can be so debilitating, people are often driven to extremes…

 

There are numerous products on the market that promise prevention or relief. But, you should know there’s no definitive evidence that special shoes, shoe inserts, back supports, or stress management programs help in any way!

 

Many people invest in expensive mattresses promoted as “cures”…only to be disappointed when their new purchase doesn’t take their unique cause of pain into account.

 

In fact, the only thing these options do is cause you to delay proper treatment and prolong your pain!

 

So What’s the Next Obvious Step?

 

If you suffer from low back pain, the fastest path to pain relief is to work with a physical therapist trained to create and implement an individual exercise and flexibility plan designed for you.

 

Odds are most of us will have to deal with back pain at one point or another, just don’t fall into the default—and dangerous–pattern of prescription pain medication and possible surgery.

 

In fact, the studies now indicate that NOT contacting a qualified physical therapist will only prolong your pain.

 

If you’re one of the millions of people dealing with new or ongoing back pain, we invite you to call one of our Back Pain Experts today.

 

We’ll discuss your unique situation and recommend a logical course of action for you.

 

There is no obligation here.

 

We’ll simply offer proven advice that could save you an unnecessary trip to the doctor’s office, along with weeks or even months of excruciating pain.

 

We look forward to helping you eliminate your back pain, and get you back to your healthy life!

 

Your path out of pain starts with a phone call…

 

Call our office at 2392230484 and schedule your appointment today!

 

We offer Physical Therapy in Fort Myers, FL, and Physical Therapy in Cape Coral, FL.

 

 

About Author: Dr. Scott Gray

 

Dr. Scott Gray is an internationally recognized and expert physical therapist specializing in sport, athletic, and back and neck injuries. He is the inventor of a revolutionary form of treatment called the GRAY METHOD. This type of treatment unlike others, addresses the CAUSE rather than just your SYMPTOMS with a full body approach. For more information on how to ease or overcome your injury, go to www.backinmotionsspt.com.