Back Pain Treatment Near Me | Hinsdale, IL | Physical Therapy
Back pain can make daily activities challenging, but Indepth Physical Therapy offers personalized treatment that can help. More than 80% of people experience back pain at some point in their life. Despite being a leading cause of disability, there is no consensus on how to treat back pain. There are countless opinions and recommendations. This is good because it means you have different options for managing back pain. However, it can also make the treatment process seem overwhelming, especially if you receive conflicting advice from different sources. So where should you start? At Indepth Physical Therapy! Our skilled therapists can help manage your back pain from start to finish.
To best understand how to treat back pain, you first need to understand pain. Pain is a normal response to a stimulus that your brain perceives as a threat. Basically, it is your brain’s way of getting your attention. It is a warning that something may be important and may require action.
Pain is multifactorial, meaning multiple factors contribute to pain at the same time. All factors need to be considered when assessing pain and its contributors.
Back pain is not indicative of tissue damage. It is not a direct result from changes in structure. Bodies change as time passes. This is normal. You are not the same person that you were 5 minutes ago, let alone 5 months or 5 years ago. If changes are seen as non-threatening, then they likely are not the cause of pain.
There are a variety of ways to classify back pain. In most cases, imaging is not helpful in the treatment of low back pain. Best practice involves treatment focused on symptoms, not on a specific diagnosis. Therefore, conservative treatment, like physical therapy, is often the first course of action in managing low back pain. Treatment strategies differ depending on the primary cause of pain. If pain persists, your doctor may then order further testing, like blood work, x-rays, CT scans, or an MRI.
Mechanical back pain vs. Non-mechanical back pain
Mechanical back pain refers to pain that changes with position or movement. This pain is related to the spinal joints, vertebrae, intervertebral discs, or surrounding soft tissues. Physical therapy is often the first line of treatment for mechanical back pain. Examples of causes of mechanical back pain include herniated discs, pinched nerves, spinal stenosis, muscle strains, and vertebral fractures.
Non-mechanical back pain refers to pain that remains unaffected by position, movement, or activity. This type of pain can be caused by an abnormality in the back region or it can be referred from another body area. Addressing the underlying issue is the first step to treating non-mechanical back pain. Examples of causes of non-mechanical back pain include cancer, infections, aortic aneurysm, and gastrointestinal issues.
Specific back pain vs. Non-specific back pain
Specific back pain makes up about 10% of low back pain cases. Low back pain is classified as specific when there is a specific pathology that contributes to the pain. Physical therapy is commonly prescribed in these cases. However, if physical therapy does not alleviate pain, injections or surgery may be indicated.
Non-specific back pain accounts for about 90% of low back pain cases. Pain is classified as non-specific when there is no known pathological cause. This pain is commonly treated in physical therapy. Spinal injections and surgery are not indicated in these cases.
The Most Common Back Pain
Non-specific, mechanical low back pain is the most common type of low back pain. In these cases, pain is often the result of a change in the way our body is capable of moving. Once movement is restored, pain often resolves. Non-specific, mechanical back pain can be further categorized based on which movements aggravate the pain. Exercise prescription will differ for each category.
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A flexion intolerance refers to pain that is aggravated by bending the spine forward. To flex the spine, the spine needs to round forward and the pelvis needs to shift back. A flexion intolerance is often the result of an inability to either round the spine forward or shift the pelvis back.
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An extension intolerance refers to pain that is aggravated by bending the spine backward. To extend the spine, the vertebrae need to close and the pelvis needs to shift forward. An extension intolerance is often the result of a lack of segmental spinal movement and increased compressive forces on the back.
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A rotation intolerance refers to pain that is aggravated by twisting the spine. This requires a combination of strategies for flexion and extension and the ability to relax the front on one side of your body while simultaneously relaxing the back on the opposite side.
As previously stated, there is no single way to treat low back pain. And because so many factors contribute to pain, no two pains are alike. Therefore, the best treatment strategy will vary person-to-person. Below are some of the most common treatments for low back pain:
Exercise
Exercise is one of the best treatments in managing low back pain. Exercise should focus on increasing available movement of the back in a painfree range. Exercises may target range of motion, mobility, strength, and stability. There is evidence to support Tai Chi and yoga in decreasing low back pain.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy, including joint and soft tissue mobilization, can be very helpful in the short term and when combined with other treatment strategies, like exercise.
Modalities
Modalities, such as heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and laser therapy, can help decrease pain in the short term, but have little effect in the long term. Research suggests exercise is the gold standard in long term pain management.
Acupuncture
Research also supports acupuncture in the treatment of low back pain. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Eastern medicine that helps balance the normal flow of energy in your body. Science suggests that acupuncture helps stimulate the nervous system, which can directly decrease pain.
Psychological Intervention
Psychosocial factors play a role in the development of chronic pain. Chronic pain is associated with passive coping, catastrophizing, fear-avoidance, depression, and anxiety. Addressing these factors and implementing an active coping style can help in pain management, especially when combined with other treatment methods.
Medication
Medication is not the first choice for management of back pain. However, medications can be helpful at times. The most commonly prescribed medications to treat low back pain include NSAIDs and muscle relaxants. Less commonly, your doctor may prescribe anti-depressants, anti-convulsant medications, or opioids to help manage your back pain.
Surgery
Most cases of low back pain resolve without surgery. However, if you have specific low back pain that does not improve with conservative treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. Common back surgeries include discectomy, laminectomy, and spinal fusion. There are some emergency cases that do require immediate surgical intervention, although this is rare.
Education
Understanding pain science can actually help decrease your pain. Understanding what is causing your pain and how to best manage pain is also important in decreasing pain levels.
Not all back pain is the same. There are countless causes and treatments for low back pain. If you are experiencing back pain, a physical therapist can help determine what is causing your pain and the best way to treat it. Physical therapy treatment uses a combination of exercise, manual therapy, modalities, and education to help decrease pain in both the short and long term.
The therapists at Indepth Physical Therapy are experts in managing back pain. They are skilled in joint and soft tissue mobilization and create customized exercise programs to address the specific causes of back pain. They also specialize in correcting postural imbalances, which is vital in improving mobility and alleviating pain.
But physical therapy at Indepth Physical Therapy is more than just a treatment; it’s a partnership in your journey to better health. With our expert guidance and personalized care, you can overcome back pain and regain control of your life. Whether you’re experiencing mild discomfort or severe pain, we’re here to help you achieve lasting relief and improved well-being. Contact us today!
Stephanie Korso, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Founder
Stephanie is a licensed physical therapist in Illinois. She earned her doctorate in physical therapy from University of Illinois Chicago and has 10 years experience working as an outpatient physical therapist and treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
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Stephanie founded Indepth Physical Therapy to provide personalized, quality care to her patients. She has advanced training in using a multi-system approach to manage pain and in Pilates-based physical therapy. Her treatment plans emphasize manual therapy, exercise, and patient education. She works closely with other healthcare professionals to optimize patient care.
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Along with treatment of a variety of musculoskeletal and orthopedic issues, Stephanie specializes in treating chronic pain, persistent tightness, and postural issues. She is especially interested in complex cases and working with patients who haven't had success with other treatments.
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Stephanie continually strives to listen to her patients, respect their experiences, and empower them to improve their overall well-being.
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Oswald, William. “Low Back Pain: Examination and Treatment Strategies for the Low Back Pain Patient.” Summit Professional Education. Summit Education, September 2024.
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Cupples, Zac. “The Human Matrix.” November 2023.
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Butler, D & Moseley, L. (2003, 2001). Explain Pain, Second Edition. Noigroup Publications.
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El Sayed, M & Callahan, A.L. “Mechanical Back Strain.” National Library of Medicine, August 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542314/