Lower Back Pain Specialist

What is low back pain?

Low back pain is characterized by pain in the lower, or lumbar part of your spine. This part of your spine bears the bulk of the load of your body, and your mobility is dependent on its intricate system of bones, muscles, nerves, and ligaments.

The complex system of the lumbar spine is responsible for your ability to twist, bend, bear weight, and walk correctly. The nerves that provide sensation and mobility to the lower half of your body stem from your lower back. This system makes your lower back prone to injury, and when this happens your ability to move freely can be significantly hindered.

Some of the symptoms that indicate your low back has been injured or damaged include:

• Muscle aches
• Pain shooting down your legs
• Limited range of motion
• Lack of flexibility
• Shooting or stabbing pain

These symptoms may be short-lived and resolve on their own, but if they last more than three days you may need to see a professional at Empire Physical Therapy.

What causes low back pain?

Usually, low back pain is the result of injury to the muscles, discs, joints, or ligaments of your lower back. Damage to your lower back may be caused by:

• Fall or other trauma
• Bulging or herniated disc
• Degenerated disc disease
• Arthritis
• Joint disorders
• Spinal abnormalities
• Muscle strain

Once the cause of your lower back pain has been determined, your treatment plan can be specialized for you by your physical therapist at Empire PT.

How can physical therapy help my low back pain?

Physical therapy (PT) can effectively treat low back pain and help you regain your flexibility and mobility, with an emphasis on decreasing pain, increasing function, and preventing future injury. Physical therapy sessions usually involved two different types of therapy:

Passive

Treatments like heat therapy, ice therapy, and electrophysiological stimulation allow the tissues of the low back to be receptive to and recover from active physical therapy (see below).

Active

Treatments include muscle manipulation, exercises, and stretching. The bulk of physical therapy treatments for back pain are of the active type.

Because the muscles and tissues around your spine are so essential for stability, the physical therapists at Empire PT focus treatments on healing and strengthening of these muscle groups to relieve pain and improve mobility.

For a consultation and specialized treatment plan that addresses your lower back pain, call Empire Physical Therapy & Athletic Rehabilitation, PC in Manhattan or book your appointment online today.