Physical Therapy Treatment for Back Pain in Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Back pain affects people of all ages and activity levels. It can come on suddenly after an injury or develop slowly over time. Either way, back pain can make it hard to work, exercise, sleep comfortably, and perform daily activities. Physical therapy treatment for back pain in Egg Harbor Township, NJ can help you manage your pain and discomfort without surgery.

At SMC Physicians, our physical therapy programs are designed not only to address the cause of your back pain, but also to increase strength and flexibility while promoting long-term spinal health.

The spine is made up of many working parts, including bones, muscles, ligaments, discs, nerves, and joints. Injury or irritation to any one of these structures can result in pain or dysfunction. Physical therapy can pinpoint the cause of your pain and create a tailored rehab program to promote healing.

Common Causes of Back Pain

Back pain is usually the result of an underlying medical issue, injury, or repetitive activity. Some people experience sudden back pain after lifting a heavy object. Chronic back pain can develop over time due to aging or from years of poor posture.

Some of the most common causes of back pain include:

• Muscle strains
• Ligament sprains
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica
• Arthritis of the spine
• Spinal stenosis
• Poor posture
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Sports injuries
• Workplace injuries
• Recovery after spine surgery

It is important to determine what is causing your back pain in order to experience significant relief.

Symptoms That May Benefit From Physical Therapy

Back pain is different for every patient. Some people experience minor aches while others can be completely disabled by their back pain.

Symptoms that may respond to physical therapy include:

• Chronic lower back pain
• Upper or middle back pain
• Muscle stiffness
• Decreased flexibility
• Pain that extends into your hips and legs
• Pain while standing or walking for long periods of time
• Pain with bending or lifting
• Muscle weakness
• Decreased range of motion
• Recurrent back pain

If you experience severe back pain along with numbness, weakness, or bowel or bladder changes, you should seek prompt medical evaluation from an SMC Physicians provider.

Comprehensive Physical Therapy Evaluation

After you visit with one of our providers, your physical therapy journey will begin with an evaluation. Your therapist will work to identify what factors are contributing to your back pain. They will assess your posture, movement, flexibility, muscle strength, balance, and functional limitations. After the evaluation is complete, your therapist will design a personalized treatment plan just for you.

Your physical therapy evaluation may include:

• Review of medical history
• Pain evaluation
• Strength testing
• Range of motion testing
• Flexibility testing
• Walking and movement analysis
• Posture analysis
• Functional movement assessments

Treatment Techniques Used in Physical Therapy

Physical therapy programs are tailored to each patient’s specific diagnosis, activity level, and goals. Patients can expect to utilize a variety of treatment techniques throughout their rehabilitation.

Therapeutic Exercise

Stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve spinal stability, increase flexibility, and promote proper body mechanics. Exercise programs are progressed as the patient improves.

Manual Therapy

Therapists may provide hands-on techniques to help decrease muscle tightness, increase joint mobility, and decrease pain.

Core Strengthening

Having strong abdominal and back muscles is important for spinal support. Therapists will teach you how to properly stabilize your core to help take pressure off your back and improve your balance and posture.

Postural Education

Learning how to maintain good posture while sitting, standing, lifting, and performing your daily activities is essential to help decrease your back pain.

Functional Movement Training

Your physical therapist will instruct you on how to properly move for your job, recreational activities, and daily tasks. This will help you decrease the risk of injuring your back again.

Benefits of Physical Therapy for Back Pain

Just about any patient can benefit from physical therapy for back pain. Benefits of physical therapy include:

• Decreased pain
• Increased flexibility
• Stronger muscles
• Improved posture
• Better balance
• More spinal stability
• Increased mobility
• Quicker recovery time after injury
• Decrease use of pain medications
• Decreased risk of reinjury

Physical therapy can help you return to your normal daily activities.

Rehabilitation After Back Surgery

Physical therapy can also help patients recover after spine surgery. Therapy can help increase strength, improve flexibility, decrease stiffness, and help you return to your normal activities.

During rehab, it is important to focus on proper movement patterns to help protect your spine.

Personalized Care Close to Home

If you are searching for physical therapy treatment for back pain in Egg Harbor Township, NJ look no further than SMC Physicians. Our therapists will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to meet your goals and help you return to your normal activities.

To request an appointment, call (609) 770-7804 directly or use our online form. Check out our new Egg Harbor Township PT location at 3100 Hingston Ave, Suite 103, Egg Harbor Twp, NJ.