Advice For Low Back Pain

Don’t take advice from your neighbor or friend about your back pain, because what helped them might hurt you!

60-70% of Americans will experience back pain in their lifetime.  If you have experienced back pain, chances are you talked to someone other than a healthcare professional about it.  It’s very possible they have also had back pain and shared their experience with you.  Sharing stories is fine.  However, taking advice from someone who is not a medical professional may be harmful to you, as your back pain could be caused by a different condition..  

Here’s an example:  

Joan saw a PT, who determined she had a bulging disc.  She was given exercises that focus on backward bending to relieve the pressure that the disc was putting on a nerve.   When you have disc pathology, USUALLY the disc is pushed backwards into or near a nerve, so forward bending will push the disc further into the nerve and will likely make this problem worse.   Upright or extended postures improve your symptoms and decrease your pain.   

Ted saw a PT for a diagnosis of spinal stenosis.  He was given exercises that focus on forward bending and tilting the pelvis to create more space for the pinched nerves.   Stenosis is a condition known as narrowing of a space, usually nerves.  Bending backward would decrease the space where the nerves are already irritated and aggravate his pain. . 

If you are experiencing back pain, physical therapists can perform an evaluation that can determine the cause of your pain and prescribe treatment appropriate to your condition.  Call today to set up an appointment or to talk to a therapist about your pain.  303-900-2282.