Is Physical Therapy Right For My Low Back Pain?
When you have low back pain the first thoughts that come to mind are how do I get rid of the pain? Should I see my physician or get myself to a chiropractor? We know back pain is frustrating and that there are more options than getting an appointment with the chiropractor, massage therapist, or physician. One of the most effective ways to treat low back pain is through physical therapy. An experienced physical therapist can discover what is causing the pain, provide hands-on care for pain relief, and give you specific exercises or movements to help you get rid of your pain.
A big challenge in today’s world of healthcare is that when you have an injury or suffer from pain you often must see your primary care physician (PCP) first before a specialist. A PCP has limited knowledge in muscle and joint problems. The chances are high that you will be given some pain medication and then told follow up in a couple of weeks if you are still hurting. If your pain persists then you are referred to a specialist. If you are lucky you may get an appointment with your physicians quickly, but often you will be waiting weeks. Hopefully, your low back pain will resolve on its own. But if it does not then the ‘waiting game’ can take you from an acute phase of back pain to one that becomes chronic. By the time you get to your specialist you are in more pain. The chances are your specialist will offer you the options of an injection or surgery. If you decide on an injection you may be referred to a physical therapist or chiropractor. If you are not a surgical candidate or do not want surgery, chances are you will be referred to a physical therapist or chiropractor. You have waited weeks to months only to end up where you could have started and have had someone help you to get out of pain from the beginning.
Did you know that in most states, you can see a physical therapist directly? While at some point you may have to get a prescription from a doctor it’s likely you can be evaluated, gain an understanding of why you are hurting, gain some peace of mind and have a plan to get yourself out of pain.
Why wait and deal with the frustration that comes with navigating the healthcare system. Why not get help now before your symptoms worsen? Playing the waiting game is costly, financially, and more importantly to your health and well-being.
Now here are times when it is best to see a physician first. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below then you will want to see your physician.
Persistent fevers
Unplanned weight loss
Blood in the stool or urine
Progressive numbness or weakness in the legs
Inability to urinate or have a bowel movement
Loss of bowel/bladder control (this is can be an emergency)
Pain at night
Sexual dysfunction
Balance problems
Pain not alleviated or worsened by different positions
Recent IV drug use
Progressive worsening of pain despite relative rest
Recent trauma
Some symptoms can come on suddenly while others can ramp up gradually.
If you are unsure whether you should see your doctor first or be seen directly by a physical therapist you can contact one beforehand. At Body Evolution we prefer to talk with our patients before being seen in-person or our patients can come in for a free Discovery session to find out if therapy is the best option. This gives you a chance to find out whether you should see a physician, at no cost to you. We believe that your health and well-being is a priority. Contact us if you are having back pain and we can help give you the right direction to get yourself back to being active again.
