Receive Premier Back Pain Care at One of the Top Physical Therapy Centers Near Abingdon, MD
Back pain is a common issue, but physical therapy offers a safe, drug-free way to relieve it and restore movement.
From Our Friends at the APTA
If you’re dealing with low back pain, you’re in good company. About 1 in 4 Americans report experiencing low back pain within a three-month period. While it’s often mild and resolves on its own, back pain can sometimes linger or return—impacting your daily life and, in some cases, leading to long-term disability. Fortunately, physical therapy is a proven way to reduce pain and restore mobility, helping many people avoid more invasive treatments.
Despite how common low back pain is, it’s frequently treated with outdated or overly aggressive approaches—like unnecessary surgeries or prescription opioids—that don’t align with current research or best practices.
So, what does effective treatment look like today?
In March 2018, The Lancet highlighted a shift in clinical guidelines. Rather than relying on medications and surgery, experts now recommend a more holistic approach that focuses on self-management, physical therapy, psychological support, and select complementary treatments.
If your back pain isn’t the result of a recent injury, here are the treatment options you should prioritize.
Low back pain can show up in many different ways. It might feel dull, burning, or sharp, and it may affect one specific area or radiate across a broader region. You might also experience muscle stiffness, spasms, or pain that travels into one or both legs.
There are three main categories of low back pain:
Acute: Lasts less than 3 months
Recurrent: Acute pain that comes back
Chronic: Persists for more than 3 months
Most people who experience an acute episode will have at least one recurrence. While the exact cause of back pain is often unclear, symptoms usually improve over time. Interestingly, psychological and social factors—like confidence in your ability to manage pain—can influence how well you recover. We now understand that low back pain is a complex condition, not solely related to physical damage.
Although it’s rarely a sign of a serious medical issue, low back pain can be associated with conditions like:
Degenerative disc disease
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Herniated discs
Fractures
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Spinal tumors
That said, many people have these conditions on imaging—even if they’re not experiencing any pain.
Your physical therapist will begin with a detailed evaluation, which includes:
A review of your medical history
Questions about your current symptoms and how they affect daily life
A physical examination focused on how you move, including patterns that may contribute to pain or delayed healing
Screening tests to rule out serious conditions like fractures, infections, or tumors
An assessment of how you use your body at work, at home, and during activities or sports
In most cases, imaging like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs isn’t necessary for low back pain and can lead to unnecessary costs. In fact, a recent study found that patients who received an MRI before trying physical therapy spent nearly $4,800 more—with no improvement in outcomes. If your physical therapist suspects a more serious underlying issue, they’ll refer you to the appropriate medical specialist for further testing.