Back pain: In the United States, it’s the second most common reason for adults to make a doctor’s appointment. Researchers estimate that at least 80% of people will experience some form of back pain over their lifetimes. In fact, many things can go wrong when it comes to our spines, so it’s important to know exactly what kind of physical therapy exercises and upper or lower back rehabilitation you might need after an injury.
Back pain can vary depending on the type of injury or condition a patient has suffered from. There isn’t only one segment of the population affected by back pain — anyone from professional athletes in peak physical condition to senior citizens with arthritis could experience problems with the spine, bones, and muscles of the back. To make matters more complicated, there isn’t only one treatment for back pain; a sufferer could be referred to a chiropractor, a sports medicine clinic, or even spinal surgery specialists in extreme cases.
You may wonder how to know which type of specialists to see if you suffer from back pain. Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear cut answer most of the time, and some back pain may require a combination of therapies and treatments prescribed by your primary care physician or another doctor. Some of the most common types of care for back pain include:
- Medicine In some cases, it may be necessary for a doctor to prescribe medication to a person suffering from back pain. While medicine won’t cure the pain, it can relieve it temporarily. Prescriptions will depend on the severity of the back pain.
- Chiropractics Some who have back pain find that they benefit from chiropractic medicine, which is a type of spinal readjustment or manipulation. Chiropractors can also diagnose conditions related to the neuromusculoskeletal system. However, this practice is controversial, as the benefits have yet to be fully explored.
- Physical Therapy Physical therapy (sometimes referred to as sports medicine for athletes) uses a program of exercises in order to rehabilitate a person after an injury or accident. It may also be used after a person has had some kind of surgery. Common physical therapy and back rehabilitation exercises include stretching, core strengthening, weight lifting, and walking, but all physical therapy programs should be tailored to a patient’s needs and situation.
- Surgery Finally, in extreme cases, someone with back pain may seek the help of spinal surgery specialists. Surgery is often used to correct anatomical conditions that cause pinched nerves or other irregularities. The invasiveness of the procedure depends on the type of surgery.
There are also home remedies a person can use if he or she suffers from back pain. Doctors recommend staying moderately active, without overexerting oneself, and getting plenty of rest. If back pain persists, however, it’s important to seek medical attention and get a referral, if needed, to physical therapists or spinal surgery specialists.
Do you have questions about your back pain? Be sure to speak with a medical professional. You can also leave a comment below if you have general questions about these back pain treatments.