August 7, 2020

When Backs Go Bad – Part I

How can Physical Therapy help me?

How can Physical Therapy help me?

Physical Therapy is a trusted healthcare industry dedicated to evaluating and treating certain injuries and illnesses. The goal of Physical Therapists is to ease pain by helping you to move, live, and function better. [Source: bls.gov]. Also known as...

read more
When Backs Go Bad: Part II

When Backs Go Bad: Part II

Back pain is very common, yet many people are unaware of actual causes, types and cures for back pain. We are here to help and educate you for those moments when your “back goes bad!”  Follow along and learn with us as we continue our “When Backs Go Bad” Blog...

read more

Not Sure if Therapy is Right for You?

Have a free discovery call to talk with one of our therapists.

Schedule Today

Did you know that 80-90% of people have low back pain at some point in their lives? Back pain is very common, yet many people are unaware of actual causes, types and cures for back pain. We are here to help and educate you for those moments when your “back goes bad!”  Follow along and learn with us as we share our “When Backs Go Bad” Blog Series!

Arthritis/Degeneative Disc Disease

What Does it Look Like?

  • Pain with bending backwards or side to side
  • Pain with prolonged standing
  • Pain with lifting heavier objects
  • Weakness in the core muscles
  • Change in walking pattern due to pain
  • Pain mostly in the Low back but can radiate into the buttock or the leg.
  • There may be nerve irritation.

What Does it Sound Like?

  • “My back is always sore”
  • “My back hurts when I lift something too heavy”
  • “I have pain when I stand for too long or stand up from sitting too long”
  • “It feels like I keep pulling muscles in my back”
  • “I have pain on one side of my low back and sometimes it moves down into my buttock region”

What Are Some Other Names For Arthritis?

  • Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Spondylosis
  • Lateral Foraminal Stenosis
  • Old Age

5 Facts About Arthritis/Degenerative Disc Disease

  1. 80-90% of people have low back pain at some point in their lives.
  2. 80% of people, over 40 years old, have some degree of arthritis in their low back.
  3. Nerves may get “pinched” due to arthritis, this is why there will be pain into the buttock and even into the leg.
  4. Your body may compensate due to pain, you may experience hip, knee, or even foot pain that may be a result of your low back.
  5. Arthritis is a normal occurrence, this does not mean that you have to have low back pain.

How Can Physical Therapy help With Arthritis?

  • While we cannot reverse any arthritis that is present, we can get your low back joints moving better. This takes pressure off of any  structures that have arthritis, as well as nerves that may be compressed due to arthritis. We also address any compensations that come from the low back pain and alleviate any pain or poor movement that results.
  • In addition to this, we can give you a specific set of exercises that will help to address specific muscle weaknesses as well as keep the low back joints moving and help to decrease any compensations in the hip, knee, ankle, foot, etc.

At Precision Rehabilitation, we can answer any questions that arise in order to help you understand your specific issue. Our team strives to instill confidence in your health and allow you to live a healthier lifestyle. We will teach you how to move properly and help you to take control of your own health.

Find your nearest location and schedule an appointment with us!

Written by Beau Saunier PT, DPT