Lower back pain is a condition that is estimated to affect about 4 out of every 5 people in the U.S. It’s a common condition to experience. It can affect daily activities and make even the most simple movements feel impossible to perform. It’s not uncommon to see someone with lower back pain struggle to walk long distances, stand up for long periods of time and maintain good posture. Common symptoms of lower back pain include stiffness, sharp pain, aching pain and limited range of motion. Older adults are more likely to develop this condition than younger people or adolescents.

If you’re someone who is struggling with lower back pain, it may be time for you to seek help from a physical therapist. Read below to learn more about at what point it may benefit you.

What is more likely to increase a person’s chances of developing lower back pain?

Just about anyone can experience lower back pain at some point in their life. However, there are certain factors that make it more likely that you’ll develop this type of pain. Some of these factors include:

• Muscle weakness.

• Poor posture.

• Degenerative joint disease.

• Injury.

• Weight.

• Age.

• Physical activity level.

• Occupation.

• Genetics.

What are some of the common causes of lower back pain?

You may have heard that lower back pain affects each person differently, and that’s true. One of the reasons for this wide range is that there are many issues that can trigger lower back pain, including:

• Arthritis.

• Spinal disc degeneration.

• Herniated disc.

• Muscle strain.

• Ligament strain.

• Tendon strain.

• Spinal fracture.

• Spondylolisthesis.

What are some of the daily effects of lower back pain?

People who are currently experiencing lower back pain likely don’t need a list of how it can affect their daily lives. However, a list of common effects can help you recognize that it’s time to get help for your pain or help you narrow down the source of your pain. A few common issues that lower back pain sufferers may live with day to day include:

• Pain in or radiating from the lower back.

• Changes in walking patterns.

• Stiffness in the back.

• Changes in posture.

• Muscle weakness or spasming.

• Trouble performing regular activities.

• Difficulty lifting heavy objects or doing strenuous activities.

What are some of the signs that someone should seek physical therapy for their lower back pain?

Seeking help for your pain may seem like an even greater inconvenience than the pain itself, but it’s actually much easier to ditch back pain if you seek help from a physical therapist sooner rather than later. Here are a few signs that it’s time for you to seek PT:

• Pain that doesn’t get better over time — If your lower back pain doesn’t improve within a few days to a week, this may be an indication that you should seek physical therapy. It may signal an issue that could use gentle exercise to help treat, rather than rest alone.

• Pain that radiates away from the lower back — If you notice that your lower back pain radiates away from just your lower back, this may be another indication that you should seek physical therapy treatment. When pain doesn’t remain localized and travels to other regions of the body, like the arms or legs, it may be indicative of a nerve problem.

• Frequent or intense muscle spasms — If you notice that you’re experiencing new or worsening muscle spasms in your lower back, physical therapy may be necessary. A physical therapist may be able to address your muscle spasms and reduce the instances of them occurring in the future.

• Changes in regular habits, like eating and bowel movements — If you experience changes in regular habits like eating or bowel movements, it may be time to visit your physical therapist. They can work to help reduce your lower back pain through exercises and research-backed techniques to get you back on track.

Let Lattimore PT be your physical therapy provider for your lower back pain

Our team of talented physical therapists spread across the state is dedicated to understanding the treatment that works best for you. We specialize in taking a “hands-on,” interactive approach with each of our patients to provide them with the best care possible. We love to see our patients thrive, which is why we’ll do as much as we can to help get them to that point. The physical therapists at each of our Lattimore locations take pride in their work and do their best to come to the clinic each day with a smiling face. We aim to make each physical therapy session enjoyable yet productive. The ultimate mark of success, to us, is a patient who feels positively impacted by our work. Are you ready to experience “the Lattimore way”?

If you’ve been affected by lower back pain and have also been unsuccessful in finding an effective long-term treatment solution, we’d like to help. Our team of licensed physical therapists is experienced in helping patients dealing with lower back pain. They have extensive expertise in providing treatment services to patients who seek relief from their pain and immobility. Don’t wait any longer to reach out to us.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.