Back Pain

Back pain is a source of discomfort and disability for millions across the United States. At their offices in Downtown Washington DC, the Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation team provides a range of effective therapies that can help you recover from back pain without relying on medications or undergoing surgery. To find out how you can get relief from back pain and return to a normal, active life, call today or book an appointment online.

What might be causing my back pain?

The causes of back pain are numerous. These are common among patients at Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation:

Poor posture

Poor posture puts continual strain on your back, leading to chronic aching and stiffness. It’s a common cause of back pain, not least because so many people spend their days sitting in front of computer screens. Adopting the correct posture and supporting your back properly when you sit or sleep could prevent a great deal of back pain.

Injuries

Your back has many muscles, tendons, and ligaments that could sustain strains and sprains. Fractures and misalignments can occur in the vertebrae too. These injuries could happen when playing sports, at work, or in an auto accident. They can also result from falls at home, especially in people with balance problems.

Disc herniation

The spongy discs between your vertebrae help keep your spine stable and absorb any shock. A weakness because of degenerative disc disease or a tear in the disc’s outer shell can result in the soft core pushing through (herniation).

Degenerative disorders

Degenerative conditions are those where years of use cause a deterioration in the bones, joints, and connective tissues. Common examples include osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, osteoporosis, and spinal stenosis (narrowed spinal canal).

Why do I have pain in my limbs as well as my back?

One of the most significant factors in back pain is radiculopathy, where the injuries and diseases affecting your spine result in nerve compression.

There’s limited space in the spinal canal that surrounds your spinal cord, so any kind of misalignment, disc herniation, damaged tissues, or degenerative changes in the vertebrae can result in pressure on one or more nerves.

If you have radiculopathy, lower back pain might spread into your hips, buttocks, and legs. Upper back and neck pain can radiate into the shoulders, chest, and arms. Depending on which nerves are under pressure, you might experience other symptoms too, such as:

These problems might affect one or both of your legs. Sciatica, a common cause of leg pain, results from pressure on your sciatic nerve, which goes down your legs from your lower back.

How is back pain treated?

Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation offers expert treatments for back pain that include:

Your provider at Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation designs a personalized treatment program for you after performing a thorough physical examination and biomechanical evaluation.

To achieve fast and effective relief from your back pain, call Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation today, or book an appointment online.