You can treat your back pain with physical therapy

Back pain is one of the most common ailments among American adults. In fact, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, an estimated 75-85% of Americans will experience some sort of back pain during their lifetime. Back pain is not only painful but can have significant effects on your lifestyle, mental health, and overall well-being.

While pain medication like opioids can provide short-term relief, these drugs can often lead to more problems than solutions. So, what’s one of the best ways to treat your back pain? Exercise! Because certain exercises are necessary to alleviate specific pain points, seeing a physical therapist is essential to ensure you’re receiving the proper care for your back pain.

What can I expect from physical therapy for my back pain?

Working with a physical therapist can not only improve your mobility and reduce tension but can significantly reduce your pain levels and decrease your chance of needing more invasive treatment like injections or surgery. When first starting, your PhysioHealth physical therapist will perform an evaluation to assess your current condition and put together a roadmap for your care. This may include manual therapies like stretching and massages or different techniques like dry needling.

PhysioHealth physical therapists are trained to diagnose and treat a number of back conditions, including but not limited to:

  • Muscle strains
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Herniated discs
  • Stenosis
  • Sciatica
  • Degeneration
  • Muscle spasms
North Attleboro Physical Therapist providing back pain relief

Frequently Asked Questions About Back Pain Relief and Physical Therapy

Not all back pain is created equal. Whether acute or chronic, back pain is caused by several factors. Your back pain may result from an injury or can be caused by an underlying condition like a herniated disc or stenosis. If an injury causes your back pain, it most likely occurred from a sudden impact (i.e., a car accident or playing sports) or by putting excessive stress on your back over some time from bending, lifting, and more.

While it may be tempting to rest and take it easy when experiencing back pain, lack of muscle activity can actually make it worse. It’ll be essential to take home the exercises you learn at Performance Evolution and perform them regularly. Of course, each patient’s exercises will differ depending on their diagnosis, but common exercises for back pain include walking, bridges, press-ups, and more.

Whether your back pain is acute or chronic, if at-home treatments like pain medication and/or stretching aren’t alleviating your pain after 2-4 weeks, seeing a physical therapist is the next best step. As always, be sure to consult with your doctor before starting any new type of treatment and ask if a prescription for physical therapy is right for you.

Yes! Our patients often use over-the-counter medications, cortisone injections, and more in conjunction with physical therapy. Each patient is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to back pain, so be sure to speak to your doctor and physical therapist about the best treatment plan for you.

How do I get started?

Depending on insurance, patients pay or may not need a referral for physical therapy. However, Massachusetts is a direct access state, meaning patients are free to choose the physical therapist of their choice without a referral. Give us a call today at (781) 859-4189 or request an appointment online

About Us

PhysioHealth Physical Therapy was founded by Dr. Christopher Gomes, DPT, OCS, CSCS. Our clinic provides specialized care within a friendly and professional environment. At PhysioHealth you will receive one-on-one treatment that is evidence-based and personalized to meet your goals. You will always receive comprehensive education on your injury and recovery plan in order to maximize your knowledge and results.