The spine is a complicated biomechanical structure that supports the weight of the body. It allows people to bend, twist, walk and move, yet it’s one of the most abused and misunderstood areas of the body.Physical therapy provides effective methods to relieve back pain, treat injuries and maintain the spine in proper alignment.
More than 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Many injuries cause temporary pain through overuse or failure to warm-up sufficiently before exercise or sports. Other sources of back pain include deformities and degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, all of which can be alleviated with physical therapy.
Obesity and sedentary lifestyles are contributing to an increase in back pain complaints. Both are major causes of pain when individuals participate in new or unfamiliar activities, don’t prepare sufficiently for activity, or use inappropriate lifting techniques. Obesity increases the risk for poor posture and injury, and those experiencing back pain often develop awkward movement patterns that exacerbate the problem.