Back pain touches almost everyone
Eighty percent of Americans suffer from low back and neck pain at some point in their lives. With such high odds that you, or someone close to you, will one day become a statistic, it makes sense to arm yourself with preventive strategies and knowledge. Physical therapy is a good place to start.
What a physical therapy evaluation looks like
By performing a thorough evaluation, a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) can identify the muscular, postural, and skeletal limitations that could one day lead to an episode of back pain. As part of the assessment, a DPT will observe you performing a series of exercises and gather an account of your daily activity level and environmental factors, such as operating machinery or working at a desk 40 hours a week. The DPT then uses this information to design a personalized exercise program.
APTA-approved strategies to prevent back pain
Your DPT will teach you a few American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)-approved strategies to prevent back pain: use good body positioning at work, home, and during recreational activities; keep the load close to your body during lifting; ask for help before lifting heavy objects; and maintain a regular physical fitness regimen, since staying active helps prevent injuries.
Lifestyle plays a big role in back pain. In fact, inactivity and incorrect body mechanics during everyday activities are two of the biggest contributors. It also helps to pay attention to small things throughout your day that can add up to bigger problems down the line, think about that desk job for a minute: how often do you get up to walk, stretch, and move? A good rule of thumb is to stand up or move every 30 minutes. You may even get bonus points with your boss as your productivity rises along with your activity.
When to see a physical therapist
While low back pain rarely becomes serious or life-threatening, it can be quite painful and interfere with daily life. Working with a DPT can help you identify the factors that might contribute to your back pain and develop a prevention plan. A DPT is also a great resource when you are seeking treatment for back pain or hoping to prevent a recurrence.
With such good odds that you could one day become a low back pain statistic, why not do everything in your power today to change your trajectory? It's another good reason to find an activity, or better yet, two or three activities, that you enjoy, make it a regular part of your day, and stick with it. Join Tribeca Runners for a fun, healthy way to energize and connect with the community.