Do you or someone you care about suffer from back pain? Back pain is a common condition affecting most people at some point during their life. Back pain can range from being a nuisance to being so severe that it limits your ability to move and function in daily life. Common back conditions that can result in pain include: disc problems, arthritis, stenosis (narrowing in the spine), compression fractures, and muscle strains. Fortunately, there is a conservative, non-invasive treatment option available to help those suffering from musculoskeletal back pain no matter where it falls along the lines of severity.
This effective treatment option is physical therapy. Physical therapy is provided by healthcare professionals who hold a master’s or doctoral degree in physical therapy and are licensed as a physical therapist (PT) in their state of practice after passing a national licensure examination.
When someone suffering from back pain goes to receive help from a physical therapist, the PT does a clinical evaluation which involves taking a medical history and performing an examination. The examination includes assessing your spinal range of motion, strength, joint mobility, posture and biomechanics, and other special tests. The PT uses this information to formulate a physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plan to help relieve your problem and return you to optimal functioning. Results from diagnostic tests such as x-rays, MRIs, or bone scans that may have been ordered by your medical doctor will also be considered.
The PT treatment plan will be designed to meet specific goals such as reducing pain and improving function. Common treatment strategies within the scope of practice of physical therapists include: exercise to improve range of motion, strength, flexibility and stabilization of the spine; manual therapy (or hands-on techniques) including joint mobilization and manipulation to help restore normal motion in the spinal joints; soft tissue mobilization and massage techniques; posture and body mechanics training, workstation ergonomics; and other adjunct treatments to help promote healing. The PT will teach you how to play an active role in your recovery and how to help prevent future episodes of back pain.
Physical therapy is covered by health insurance. In most states including Maryland, you have the right to directly access the services of a licensed PT. This means that a person suffering from back pain does not have to wait to be referred from another health care provider to seek help from a physical therapist; therefore, a person can get the treatment that will help get them on the road to conquering their back pain as soon as possible!
Angela Lewis, PT is a licensed physical therapist at A. Lewis & Associates Physical Therapy in Canton. 3500 Boston Street – Canton - 410.276.1640 – www.alewisphysicaltherapy.com.
