What Causes Back Pain?

Struggling with back pain? You’re not alone! An aching back is a problem for many people in the Nashville metroplex. The pain can vary widely from a dull, chronic ache to a sudden, sharp pain. It can result from an accident, a fall, a sports injury, or lifting something heavy, especially when lifting improperly. Or, it can develop over time due to age-related degenerative changes to the spine. When dealing with back pain, you need a top-rated physical therapist like Dr. Javier Pere at Beyond PT in Franklin, TN. Beyond Physical Therapy at Berry Farms has the best doctors for chronic back pain. Call (629) 239-3170 or book an appointment online today with one of our Franklin back specialists.

Visiting a Back Pain Physical Therapist in Franklin, Tennessee

Back Pain Risk Factors

Although anyone can suffer from back pain, there are some risk factors that increase the chances. Some common factors include:

• Your fitness level – the weaker your core muscles are, the less support you have, resulting in strains, pulls, and other back injuries.
• Your weight – the more overweight you are, the more pressure you put on your joints and discs. 
• Job-related risks – if you have to lift, push, pull, bend, or twist frequently, stand for long periods, or if you sit in front of a computer every day, especially with poor posture, you increase the odds that you will develop back pain.
• Age – over time, your back can become stiff and your discs can wear down, resulting in chronic back pain. Many people over 45 experience pain to some degree. 
• Genetics – some people inherit disorders or diseases that result in back pain. 
• Health: People who smoke, drink alcohol excessively, or live a sedentary lifestyle have a higher risk of back pain.
• Mental health – depression and anxiety can lead to back pain.
• Overstretching
• Sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t offer support to your spine
• Pregnancy

Common Causes Of Back Pain

There is a wide range of issues that can result in back pain. Here are some of the common causes:

• Sprains – injuries to the ligaments that support the spine. These are typically caused by twisting or lifting improperly.
• Strains – injuries to muscles or tendons supporting that back causing muscle spasms and tension.
• Degenerative disc disease – the discs (or cushions) between your vertebrae wear down as you get older, causing pain from the bones rubbing together.
• Herniated or ruptured discs – pain caused by discs that become compressed or slip out of place and irritate nearby nerves. This is a common cause of lower back pain and can result in sciatica, which is a sharp and shooting pain that travels down the back of the leg. 
• Spondylolisthesis – occurs when a vertebra slips out of place.
• Spinal stenosis – a narrowing of the spinal column that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
• Fractures of the vertebrae.
• Scoliosis – curvature of the spine 
• Inflammatory conditions – these diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and enteropathic arthritis, cause swelling, pain, numbness, and limited mobility.  
• Osteoporosis – a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle.
• Kidney problems – kidney stones or kidney infections can cause back pain.

Symptoms of Back Pain

The symptoms of back pain can vary in intensity and can be localized or spread over the entire back, but in general, an ache or pain anywhere in the back is a symptom of back pain. Pain can also radiate to the buttocks, legs, arms, hands, and feet. Common symptoms of back pain include:

• Pain with lifting and bending.
• Pain when resting, sitting, or standing.
• Stiffness in the morning 
• Pain shooting down the buttocks and leg.
• Numbness and tingling in back or legs.
• weight loss
• fever
• inflammation or swelling
• urinary incontinence
• difficulty urinating

Should I Visit a Physical Therapist in Franklin, TN?

Physical therapy at Beyond PT in Franklin, TN treats injuries or conditions that impact the body’s movement and function. A physical therapist can develop a treatment plan that might include exercises, stretching, specialized equipment, and hands-on techniques to help alleviate the source of your back pain, improve range of motion, reduce the effects of your injury or chronic problem, and increase strength. They also educate you on how to manage your condition and prevent reoccurrence. 

Our experienced physical therapists develop individualized programs specifically for each patient, based on the problem, goals the patient wants to achieve, and their expected outcomes. Whether your back pain is a result of injury, accident, overexertion, disease, or has accumulated over time, a physical therapist in Nashville can treat your problem and improve your quality of life. Treatments can last from a few weeks to several months or more depending on the nature of your back pain. However, we don’t stop until you’re pain-free! Beyond Physical Therapy at Berry Farms offers a variety of back pain treatments in Nashville and Franklin customized for your back injury.

How Can I Prevent Back Pain?

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent back pain. Here are some of the common ways to prevent back pain:

• Exercise – regular physical activity can help ease inflammation, reduce muscle tension, and improve strength, balance, and flexibility.
• Reduce your weight – if you are more than 10 pounds over your ideal weight, reducing your weight can help alleviate extra pressure on your back muscles, discs, and vertebrae. 
• Quit smoking – smoking restricts blood flow to the spinal discs.
• Avoid sleeping on your stomach – sleeping on your stomach can put a lot of strain on your back. 
• Get a good mattress – most experts recommend a medium-firm mattress for those with chronic back pain. A too-hard or too-soft mattress can exasperate your back pain. 
• Check your posture – one of the best ways to prevent back pain is good posture. When you stand straight, your shoulders should be back and directly over your hips, and your head should be directly over your shoulders. 
• Sit properly – Keep both feet on the floor and your knees higher than your hips when sitting. Your back should be straight. Keep your head up (don’t lean forward) and engage your core. If you have to sit for long periods, get up every 15-20 minutes and walk around. 
• Check your desk – Center your computer monitor directly in front of you, about an arm’s length away. 
• Avoid using a laptop or phone for long periods – extended use of a laptop or phone causes your head to lean forward and puts pressure on the upper neck vertebrae. 
• Lift heavy objects correctly – never bend at the waist to lift heavy objects. Bend your knees and squat, pulling in your stomach muscles and holding the object close to your body as you stand. Don’t twist your body while lifting. When possible, push rather than pull heavy objects. Pushing is easier on the back.
• Avoid high heels – you might look good in heels, but they tend to shift your center of gravity forward and can strain your lower back. Don’t wear heels higher than a one-inch at the most. If you do wear higher heels on occasion, don’t wear them continuously for long periods.
• Don’t weigh yourself down – a heavy handbag, briefcase, or wallet can result in back pain. Distribute the weight frequently by swapping your shoulder for your handbag or hands for your briefcase. Always strap backpacks over both shoulders. Remove items from your bag, briefcase, or wallet that you don’t need.
• Warm up – before engaging in sports or other physical activities, always warm up first to lessen the risk of pulling or straining a tight muscle. 

What Treatments Do Physical Therapists Use for Back Pain?

Physical therapy is a great option for treating back pain as it involves nonsurgical strategies. Physical therapists incorporate a wide range of treatments, which vary depending on the symptoms and cause of the pain. Common treatments for back pain that our experienced Franklin physical therapists use include:

• Strength training for weak muscles such as abdominals of pelvic muscles
• Stretching tight muscles
• Demonstrating proper posture and joint mobilization
• Using ice, heat, and electrical stimulation. 
• Traction (pulling on the spine to open up the space between the vertebrae to decrease compression on the discs and the nerves.)
• Heated pools for aquatic therapy
• Flexibility exercises to improve range of motion
• Massage

Each case of back pain is different, and at Beyond Physical Therapy, we evaluate each Franklin back pain patient independently to develop the right therapy program for them. If you’re looking for the best physical therapist, look no further than Dr. Javier Pere at Beyond Physical Therapy in Franklin, TN.