Rigby Back Pain Specialist

Back pain is widespread among people from all walks of life. Some back pains naturally go away, but others are persistent and cause various challenges. If you experience persistent pain in your lower or upper back area, it’s vital to seek professional help. Involving a specialist can help diagnose the cause of your back pain and identify the best remedy. 

One of the risks of back pain is that it will limit your ability to enjoy the things you love to do. The Rigby Pick PT team wants you to live life moving! An elevated life is a life with little to no back pain.

What Are the Main Back Pain Symptoms?

Pain is the prevalent symptom, but you may experience other varying signs, depending on what’s causing the back pain. Some patients experience dull pain, while others are burning or sharp.

The pain may also be local or across a broad area and cause muscle spasms and stiffness. In some cases, the pain spreads to one or both legs. Back pain can fall into acute, recurrent, and chronic categories.

Acute pain lasts for less than three months, while recurrent back pain involves acute symptoms that disappear and recur. Chronic pain lasts for more than three months without fading.

Back pain is generally non-life-threatening, but you might need emergency treatment if the following symptoms accompany the pain:

• Loss of bowel/ bladder control
• Numbness in the groin area
• Inability to sit, stand, or walk properly
• Sharp, burning pain that’s persistent

It’s vital to get a proper diagnosis from a specialist since back pain may stem from serious issues. Some symptoms result from degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, fractures, lumbar spinal stenosis, spine tumors, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis.

How Is Back Pain Diagnosed?

When you visit a back pain specialist for diagnosis, they’ll review your health records. The doctor will also ask specific questions to understand your symptoms and determine the best assessment.

You can expect a thorough evaluation of your movements and pain threshold. The therapist in our Rigby clinic will also test the symptoms to rule out serious health issues like fractures and cancer. Other assessments include outlining your routine work, leisure, and sports activities.

If the physical therapist suspects severe underlying issues, they’ll send you to a healthcare professional for further examination. X-ray and MRI may be necessary in cases involving severe/chronic pain resulting from accidents and disease.

What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain can result from various issues, ranging from accidents and injury to poor posture/routines and disease. About 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point. Some people experience one-time sharp pain after intense physical activity. Others suffer recurring or chronic pain stemming from different factors. Here are some of the prevalent causes of back pain:

• Poor workout techniques and form
• Weak core muscles and muscle strain
• Poor posture when sitting, standing, or sleeping
• Sitting or standing for extended periods
• Decreased spinal mobility
• Disc herniation (slipped disc)
• Trauma to the back area
• Age and lack of exercise

How to Relieve Back Pain

Back pain can disrupt everyday life and result in psychological issues. Seeking medical help can help relieve the symptoms and treat or manage the underlying condition for a better quality of life. Each case is unique, so you need expert diagnosis and recommendations. Here are some of the popular treatments for relieving back pain:

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is the ideal solution for most cases of back pain. It involves workout and mobility sessions to reduce the pain and increase function and range of motion.

Physical therapy can resolve back pain stemming from various conditions, including lumbar cervical, bulging disc, and sciatica.

Physical therapy can also improve lower back sprains and strain, lumbar stenosis, kyphosis, lumbar radiculopathy, spondylolisthesis, and general weakness.

Physical therapists can use various modalities to relieve the pain and treat the condition. Popular treatments include hot/cold packs, TENS (transcutaneous electrical stimulation), spinal manipulation, strength, stretching, and low-impact exercises.

Pain Medication

Back pain can make it difficult to accomplish routine tasks and activities. Your physical therapist may recommend pain medication to help relieve severe pain while you recover.

Medication is only necessary in severe chronic cases where the patient cannot endure the pain, and it is constantly interfering with daily life. If you experience mild discomfort, physical therapy will suffice, so medication is unnecessary.

It’s crucial to discuss with your doctor before using any medication. Some drugs can aggravate back pain or underlying condition or impair recovery.

Surgical Operations

Back pain resulting from herniated discs and fractures may require reconstructive surgeries. Discectomy is a popular surgical procedure for herniated discs.

It involves removing the portion of the disk, causing pressure and pain on the nerve roots. Laminectomy is another popular surgery for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Other surgeries include vertebroplasty, foraminotomy, spinal fusion, nucleoplasty, artificial disk replacement, and more. Surgery is necessary in rare cases, such as accidents.

Lifestyle Changes

Most back pain, except for those caused by injury, stems from lifestyle choices and disease. If your back pain stems from poor lifestyle choices and routines, you can achieve relief by making adjustments.

Patients who work in office/desk setups should get suitable chairs and tabletops and maintain proper posture. You can also take frequent breaks to avoid staying in the same posture for extended periods.

Back pain specialists will also recommend getting enough sleep, regular workout, and quitting vices like smoking or avoiding specific medications. Other lifestyle adjustments include using comfortable mattresses and pillows to support your neck and back during rest.

Reputable Back Pain Doctors in Rigby, Idaho

If your back pain stems from an accident and direct force/trauma to the back region, you should consult a specialist as soon as possible. Pain resulting from straining activities, intense workout sessions, and poor posture can resolve with physical therapy.

You can consult a back pain specialist at Pick PT to identify the best remedy for your symptoms and preventative measures against future pain. Our Rigby, Idaho, back, and neck specialists will assess your condition and deliver a personalized recovery program.