Back pain occurs in at least 80% of people at least one time in their life – so more than likely, you’ve had or will have it at some point. I think that means it is common 🙂
Does this mean you are doomed and will have to stop all the activities, sports or workouts you love?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
More often than not, back pain is temporary and not anything that requires surgery or other invasive procedures. Studies are continuing to show that a movement based approach is the way to go in most of these “not as severe” cases.
Movement based treatment can include (but not limited to), mobility, flexibility, strengthening, aerobic exercise, breath work and also hands on treatment to assess and assist in movement and blood flow.
Studies are also showing that biopsychosocial approaches are important for the full and long term management of low back pain. Biopsychosocial (BPS) refers to addressing biology (mechanics of how the body is working), psychology and socio-environmental factors all together.
What does that mean???
This means that we have to address more than just movement – it means we need to look at your environment (where you work or live and how you function in it) as well as your mental state (you need to think you will get better – be positive about what’s happening in your body).
Remember pain is just information letting us know something isn’t right – we need to change something.
So what do you do if you have back pain?
The answer is not straight forward and able to be given here, because every body is different.
The answer is you need to get assessed – but that doesn’t mean you sit still and do nothing until you can. You need to keep moving as much as you can without pushing through pain. Move until you begin to feel pain – right now, that’s your threshold.
As you continue moving, your threshold should improve and you will be able to move further. If it doesn’t or it gets worse, then a visit to the doctor is in order.
If you feel like you need an assessment to see what’s going on – I’d love to chat and see if PT is what you need.
Click here and send me a message about what’s going on and I’ll be in touch so we can work together to get you BACK to life 🙂