Back Pain? You're Not Alone
Parents unable to play with their children, athletes unable to play their sport of choice, and employees unable to do there job efficiently. The unbiased pain of the lower back can be detrimental to any lifestyle. In fact, approximately 65 million adults are affected by lower back pain annually, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Many patients suffering from low back pain need to consider physical therapy as the first line of treatment for their condition, according to Luke Madigan, MD, Attending Physician at the Knoxville Orthopedic Clinic.
"Physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the cornerstones of nonsurgical treatment," cites Madigan.
Often times repetitive strain can cause discs in the back to weaken, and as a result, the disc is unable to hold the vertebrae in the correct position. This lack of stability can cause back pain. Physical therapy treatment includes strengthening of the core muscle groups and education of how to correct body mechanics and imbalances that may contribute to the condition.
"As a physical therapist, I am determined to educate patients and help them achieve a level of independence from their condition," said Mark Bengtson, MPT and Owner of Pinnacle Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine. "My goal is to help people decrease their pain and increase their quality of life, by getting patients back to what they are used to doing, like walking, golfing, biking, or just being able to cook and clean pain-free."
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) cites, "Many types of pain and inflammation can be reduced with the help of a physical therapist, including low back pain, which affects up to 80 percent of Americans during their lifetime. Physical therapy that mobilizes the spine along with specific exercises can help alleviate the pain and can have long-lasting effects."
The proper identification of the cause of pain coupled with the proper strategy will undoubtedly improve the effectiveness of care. Physical therapists are trained to recognize and provide the most appropriate treatment strategies for individual patient' s conditions. In addition to building core muscle groups and hands-on therapy, the incorporation of proper exercise has been shown to improve function and decrease pain in adult patients with chronic low back pain.
"Providing individualized care to enhance the well-being of my patients is what my staff and I strive to accomplish through comprehensive and high-quality physical therapy," said Bengtson.
Pinnacle Physical Therapy is dedicated to helping their patients achieve independence from their pain. With 2 locations to serve you in Post Falls and Coeur d' Alene and an Aquatic Therapy program, Pinnacle can help you live a more enjoyable, pain-free life. For more information please visit www.pinnaclephysicaltherapy.org or call Adam at (208)777-4242.