Low Back Pain? Choose Physical Therapy First.

So you have low back pain? Maybe its acute, maybe it's chronic. Either way, don't think you have to live with it.

So what do you do?

Seek medical attention. Receive medication prescriptions. Get advanced imaging of the spine. Rest. Perhaps be out of work. Consider surgery when pain continues.

All of the above are common occurrences.

Does the health care system over treat for low back pain? Are we over treating and not helping? Are these health care steps instilling fear in our low back pain patient population? Is this the best care option?

There is a place for advanced imaging and surgical intervention, but where does physical therapy fit into the equation?

Benefits of seeing a physical therapist for low back pain are proven.

1) Recently studies have started to show that physical therapy can be effective and there is no difference in outcomes between physical therapy treatment and fusion surgical intervention.

2) Physical therapy utilization early on can lead to decreased health care costs. With 1 in 4 people reporting low back pain in the last 3 months, costs for low back pain is estimated to be between "$85 billion and $238 billion....and reoccurring low back pain occurs within 1 year in 25% of patients."

These studies provide us with some very important information.

But you say...my MRI shows severe arthritis....I have a herniated disc...My nerve is pinched.

So!? It's possible some of these findings were present prior to your pain onset. The take home message is....take your imaging results with a grain of salt and discuss these results with your MD and physical therapist.

Get physical therapy treatment for your low back pain

Low back pain is one of the most frequent pain sources that our patients seek treatment for. We will evaluate you with specific movements and tests & measures. We look at you individually and realize your needs are different than the next person who comes in for physical therapy treatment for their lower back pain. One size does not fit all.

Maybe I am a little biased, however physical therapy seems like a very viable option. Making a commitment to this conservative treatment option may allow you to spend less money, reduce your pain and feel better faster. To me, this seems like an equation to a happier, pain free life.

Find a physical therapist, and build a lifelong relationship with them. Your pain free progress is our success. Believe. Trust us. Choose physical therapy first!