Battling Back Problems As A Physical Therapist

On a day to day basis, one of the top problems you’ll treat as a physical therapist is back pain. But there are a variety of factors that can be the root cause for back pain. Below, you will find a variety of reasons a patient might experience back pain.

Battling Back Problems As A Physical Therapist

1. Improper lifting/Bad Exercise Form

Lifting heavy weight with support from your knees is incredibly important. You’d be surprised how many patients may improperly lift heavy objects during a household move or during exercise. Proper education can go a long way to preventing this kind of muscle strain.

2. Stress

Stress and anxiety can have a larger effect on our lives than most of us think. A stressful job, problems at home or depression can all lead to a patient having back pain. Physical therapy can still help with this type of pain, but reducing stress in one’s life will also be a big step in the right direction.

3. Poor Posture

Yes. Slouching at work or at home can take a toll on the way you feel overall. It is important to be mindful of your posture throughout the day. American sit an average of 13 hours a day! Which means that is a long stretch of time for poor posture to set in. Fortunately, there are chairs out there that can help combat poor posture. Feel free to inform your patients about chairs with strong lumbar support. Also, never shy away from taking 10-15 minute breaks in order to relieve your back.

4. Obesity

The added pressure of being overweight can put a lot of strain on a patient’s joints. Exercise to lower one’s weight can go a long way in reducing a patient’s back pain. Although physical therapy will help, it’s important to encourage your patients to eat healthy and partake in physical activities

5. Age

It can be an unfortunate fact of life. We all get older. Age can have a big impact on the way our body feels. As you get older, your bones and muscles will not be as strong, which can lead to achy back. Fortunately, mild exercise and staying active can always help to combat that pain.

Prevention Is Your Best Friend

Of course these are just a few examples of what could be causing back pain for your patients. But the list goes on and on. In the end, exercise and a healthy life style can help a patient to avoid these types of ailments. As a physical therapist, your patients trust your opinion. Don’t be afraid to give them some heartfelt advice! Have more to add? Feel free to comment down below.