Back pain impacts nearly two-thirds of Americans at some point.
We’ve all had those days when we wake up, our back feels a little stiff and seems to stay that way throughout the day, no matter how much we stretch. But for a lot of us, that pain only lasts for that day, and we feel better when we wake up the next morning.
For millions of Americans, though, back pain is part of everyday life. In fact, nearly two-thirds of people in the U.S. will experience lower back pain at some point in their life, according the American Physical Therapy Association. In today’s blog, Horizon Rehab will take a look at what causes back pain, and what you can do to treat and prevent it.
Causes of Back Pain
Back pain can actually mean you’re dealing with pain in one of several areas, from your muscles and bones to joints and ligaments. Back pain can be acute, in which the pain lasts a limited time (usually about a month) or chronic. Chronic back pain lasts at least three months, and is more rare than acute pain. Acute back pain is often brought on by some form of injury, such as a muscle strain or a ruptured disk. However, conditions like osteoporosis and arthritis can lead to long-term back pain.
Treatment for Back Pain
There a variety of treatment options for back pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers and prescribed muscle relaxants are often used in cases of acute back pain. But for chronic pain, sustained treatment—like the treatment available at Horizon Rehab— is often a better option. We offer stabilization and conditioning programs and manual therapy that not only help reduce pain, but also help patients build strength and add flexibility. We even offer back support fittings, and our “Spine Health – For Kids” program evaluates children for spinal conditions while training them in home exercise techniques to maintain flexibility.
If you are experiencing lower back pain, let Horizon Rehab help you with one of our spine rehabilitation programs. Contact us to learn more about the physical therapy options available to you.
Tags: acute back pain, back pain causes, back pain treatment, chronic back pain