Battle Back Pain and Sciatica with Expert Physical Therapy Today!
Struggling with morning backaches or pain in your buttocks and thighs? Does the fear of throwing out your back dominate your daily life? You're not alone. The American Physical Therapy Association states most Americans report back pain, with 1 in 4 suffering in the last three months.
Back pain differs from sciatica, which causes widespread pain down your leg, but people often confuse them. Radiculopathy can also occur, a condition causing numbness, tingling, or sharp pain in your leg, usually due to a herniated disc or nerve entrapment when exiting the spine. Seek relief not from medication, which only covers up the pain, but from physical therapy - it tackles the root cause, avoids risky painkillers, and could help you dodge surgery.
What's the cause of my back pain or sciatica?
Put a stop to the constant battle against back pain, a nemesis that doesn't discriminate, assaulting our comfort unexpectedly with a sudden turn or as a result of troubling conditions such as herniated discs. This unwelcome intruder overshadows even the most basic joys of life, including the ability to simply stroll around. When the cushions between our vertebrae deteriorate, tasks that once seemed mundane now present themselves as herculean undertakings.
The period between your 30s and 50s is particularly critical, as this is when you should be on high alert for sciatica, a condition that doesn't necessarily emerge due to an injury. It could stealthily arise from other issues like arthritis or declining mobility, which in turn puts pressure on your spine and the extensive sciatic nerve. Embark on a journey to learn empowering strategies that help restore your body's natural balance and effectively shield against the pervasive disruption caused by back pain.
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How can I tell the difference between back pain and sciatica?
Back pain
Say goodbye to back pain with our Stride physical therapist's personalized treatment plans. Suffering from a car accident, a lifting mishap, or chronic poor posture? We'll create a specific strategy that addresses your distinct pain and personal health history. Experience the relief with a tailored approach to alleviate your acute or chronic pain, crafted just for your recovery.
Sciatica
Sciatica isn't just any back pain—it's a uniquely intense discomfort that's immediately recognizable. Luckily, it's straightforward to pinpoint. Those suffering from sciatica feel a distinctive pang tracing the path of the sciatic nerve, the body's most extensive nervous expressway.
Experience the jolt of sciatic nerve pain? Originating in the lower back, the majestic sciatic nerve branches out from the spine's base, meandering down through your buttocks to legs, and reaching the feet's very ends. But when compressed or inflamed, it fires up a sensation that zings like lightning – a searing ‘shooting,’ a fierce ‘stinging,’ or an intense ‘burning’ in your lower back, buttocks, legs, or feet.
Relieve your back pain or sciatica today:
Don't let back pain become your norm! Unbeknownst to many, those occasional aches are warning signs. Hidden beneath are culprits like stubborn joint movement, core vulnerability, and unruly muscle coordination. Neglect them, and you're setting the stage for a back injury that hits harder. Time to safeguard your future wellbeing!
Banish back pain and sciatic woes with expert physical therapy at Stride! Our dedicated therapists tailor a treatment blueprint just for you, anchored in your unique diagnosis. Dive into physical therapy that zeroes in on swift pain alleviation right from the get-go.
Watch as your discomfort melts away—our expert physical therapists will steadily enhance your core's power through targeted healing exercises and stretches. Our mission: bolster your strength and flexibility, forge a shield against spinal re-injuries. Plus, we’ll empower you with ergonomic wisdom and spine-care strategies to fend off any potential troubles ahead.
Find fast relief from sciatica with our professional physical therapists. They’ll expertly tailor leg stretches specifically for you, helping soothe your sciatic nerve and rapidly reduce pain.
Suffering from back or sciatica nerve pain? Request an Appointment with Stride Physical Therapy Freehold, NJ's expert physical therapists now! Our promise: no matter the intensity of your pain, we'll fast-track your journey to relief and recovery.
Health Blog
A Physical Therapist’s Perspective on Chronic Back Pain
At Stride Physical Therapy, we see a lot of chronic low back pain and it’s something we know how to handle. Understanding what causes this pain and how you can prevent it is important to us, so we always make sure our patients and their families are well-informed. Remember, having chronic back pain doesn’t mean you have to accept it as a normal part of getting older. You can still experience less pain and enjoy improved mobility, regardless of how long your back has been bothering you. Book an appointment with Stride Physical Therapy to get a personalized consultation. Keep reading to uncover five key insights our physical therapy team has learned about chronic back pain.
1. Most People Will Experience Back Pain at Least Once
Research shows that the majority of people (up to 80%) will have at least one episode of back pain in their lifetime. While not everyone will suffer from long-lasting pain, many cases resolve within a few weeks without special medical care. However, underlying issues like inflexibility or poor body mechanics can persist, increasing the likelihood of recurring pain and injury. Consulting with a physical therapist early can help uncover and address these hidden factors, reducing the risk of conditions like muscle strains, joint misalignments, degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, and nerve impingement.
2. Most Risk Factors for Chronic Back Pain Are Preventable
Many back pain risk factors are preventable. This means reducing your risk of chronic pain and alleviating symptoms is largely within your control. Common preventable risk factors include:
Sedentary lifestyle
Excessive weight
Smoking
Poor posture
Physically demanding jobs that require frequent sitting, bending, twisting, heavy lifting, or exposure to vibration
Stress, anxiety, and depression
At Stride Physical Therapy, we take a holistic approach to treatment, addressing both physical and psychological factors to help you achieve long-term relief.
3. Exercise Often Improves Chronic Back Pain
Moving around with chronic back pain can be challenging, but participating in daily movement is crucial for pain management. Exercise keeps muscles and tissues strong, boosts circulation, reduces chronic inflammation, enhances mood, relieves stress, and helps maintain a healthy body weight. Activities like walking, cycling, and specific exercises to improve tissue healing, strength, flexibility, and endurance are proven effective. A physical therapist can help you develop a safe, effective, and enjoyable exercise program tailored to your needs and goals.
4. Surgery and Long-Term Medications Aren’t Always Necessary
Contrary to popular belief, conditions like herniated discs don’t always require surgery. Invasive procedures like spinal fusions are usually not the first option for chronic back pain. Research indicates that only about half of first-time back surgeries alleviate symptoms, and repeat surgeries have even lower success rates. Surgery also carries risks such as prolonged recovery time and post-operative complications.
Physical therapy is recognized as a first-line treatment for chronic back pain, often reducing the dependency on opioid medications. This makes physical therapy a safer, more cost-effective option.
5. Chronic Back Pain Can Improve Even Without Knowing the Exact Cause
Many cases of back pain are "idiopathic," meaning the exact cause is unknown. Imaging studies like MRIs often don’t correlate with a person’s symptoms. A physical therapist is trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat spinal conditions. Even if the exact cause is unclear, physical therapy can still provide relief by addressing symptoms and contributing factors like poor posture, decreased hip and shoulder range of motion, and weak core muscles.
Ready to Make Chronic Back Pain a Thing of the Past?
If you're ready to reclaim your active life and start living with less pain, contact Stride Physical Therapy today. Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve long-term relief and improved function.
