Back pain makes it difficult to live out your daily life. With back pain, simple tasks like walking, picking up objects, or even sitting or lying down can be challenging. Because back pain is discomforting and makes life difficult, people who suffer from it look all over for treatment. 

Back pain has many causes. It is often minor and goes away on its own after a few days of rest and pain medication. However, some types of back pain may be the sign of something more serious that requires professional health care assistance. One treatment that benefits people with back pain is physical therapy.

Common causes of serious back pain

Back pain that is severe or lasts for more than a few days may be related to one of the following:

1. Herniated disc — The vertebrae in your spinal column are separated by soft discs that help cushion the vertebrae. These discs can herniate — slip or burst — which causes pain in your back by putting pressure on the nerve in your spine.

2. Arthritis — More than 100 types of arthritis can affect your body, especially as you age or if you are overweight. Some forms of arthritis can affect your spinal column by wearing out the cartilage in your spine or causing the spine to grow narrow, which puts pressure on the nerve.

3. Osteoporosis — This condition causes the bones in your body to grow fragile and break easily. With osteoporosis, the vertebrae in your spine are at a higher risk for fractures and injuries.

4. Sciatica — Pain in your lower back and one of your legs is usually related to sciatica. This is a condition that affects the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back into your legs. Inflammation puts pressure on this nerve, which causes pain and numbness.

Treating back pain with physical therapy at Franklin Rehabilitation

Chronic back pain often grows worse over time or can lead to other severe problems, like permanent disability. Even strains/sprains, tightness and weakness can change how you move, causing minor back pain to progress to serious back pain over time. Coming in early for treatment can oftentimes prevent minor pain from progressing to a serious problem. If you’re suffering from back pain and would like help reducing pain and improving your strength and mobility, then you should talk with a physical therapist at Franklin Rehabilitation. Contact our team today for more information about back pain treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.