Causes of Back Pain You Might Not Know About & Solutions for Relief
Back pain is a common complaint, largely because it can stem from many different causes. Many of these causes you probably already know, such as lifting something too heavy or using improper lifting techniques. But back pain can have other causes, too–and finding effective back pain relief starts by understanding exactly what’s causing yours.
At Smith Physical Therapy & Wellness, we specialize in women’s health issues, and we know that there are several surprising causes of back pain that often go unnoticed–especially in women. Today, we want to explore some of these causes and examine what our physical therapists can do to help you find lasting back pain relief.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Back Pain: A Surprising Connection
Your pelvic floor muscles are a group of internal muscles at the base of your core. Their primary purpose is to support your pelvic organs (such as your bladder, bowels, and uterus), but they also help stabilize the spine and support the lower back. When these muscles are weak or overly tight, they can contribute to lower back pain.
What We Can Do to Help You Find Pelvic-Floor-Related Back Pain Relief
Our physical therapists can assess your pelvic floor muscles to determine what dysfunction is present and whether or not it’s contributing to your back pain. If so, we’ll create a personalized treatment program to address any pelvic floor impairments.
This might include manual therapy techniques to release tension in overactive muscles and targeted exercises to strengthen and balance your pelvic floor.
Prolonged Sitting: The Importance of Movement
If your job requires you to sit at a desk for long hours, it might be contributing to your back pain, especially in the lower back. Prolonged sitting puts pressure on the spine and can cause muscles in the lower back and core to weaken. This position can also contribute to poor posture, which places additional strain on the spine, potentially leading to stiffness and discomfort.
How We Can Help You Manage Sitting-Related Back Pain
We can provide personalized postural corrections to help ensure your spine is in alignment throughout your day and targeted exercise to help improve posture overall. However, we can also help you with strategies to move more regularly. Setting a time to get up and move around every 30 minutes can do wonders!
Weak Core Muscles: A Surprisingly Common Source of Back Pain
Your core is a group of muscles that wraps and supports your spine. It includes more than just your six-pack muscles; it includes your back, hip, deep abdominals, and diaphragm muscles. A weak core can place extra pressure on the back muscles. Without sufficient core strength, your lower back may overcompensate, leading to pain or discomfort.
How Physical Therapy Helps Strengthen Your Core
Our therapists will develop a personalized core-strengthening program that suits your unique needs. If your back pain seems too intense for exercise, we can also provide acute pain management using manual therapy and other non-invasive techniques.
We’ll also work with you to identify and address any lifestyle issues (such as poor posture or prolonged sitting) that contribute to a weak core.
Take Control of Your Back Pain
No matter the underlying cause, back pain relief is within your grasp! Our team of TX-based physical therapists will work with you to develop a personalized, comprehensive program to address your back pain.
Don’t let back pain interfere with your life—contact Smith Physical Therapy & Wellness today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward lasting relief!