If you are suffering from aches or pains, here are some important questions that can help you determine the root cause of the problem:
How long have you had your pain?
For example, acute low back pain may be from a muscle strain. Chronic low back pain is typical of restricted joints, tight muscle tissue and weakened muscle strength.
How is the pain? Achy, sharp, tingling?
Achy pain is typically a problem with movement due to poor functioning of muscles and joints. Sharp pain can be a muscle spasm or even an impingement of a joint. Tingling sensations and pain can be irritation to a nerve either from compression or inflammation of that area.
Does the pain impact a specific area or does it spread over a wide area?
Wide-spread pain is typical of muscle strain, inflammation and weakness. People will experience this type of pain with prolonged standing, walking and other physical activities. This happens because the muscles cannot support the spine or hips and thus become strained. Specific pain to a part of the leg or arm could be nerve related. In either of these cases, it is important for you to seek out the right professional help.
Is the pain worse at a specific time of day?
Achy, stiff pain in the morning can be due to muscle and tissue stiffness. Severe radiating pain to the lower back, buttock and leg with bending in the morning is an indicator of a potential herniated disc. Wide-spread pain is typically related to the lack of flexibility and guarding in the spine. Whereas pain towards the end of the day after moving and activity is an indicator of spinal muscle weakness as the muscles fatigue during the day.
Do you have difficulty with prolonged sitting, standing or walking?
Pain with prolonged standing and walking is typical of muscle fatigue in the spine as well as the hip muscles. It is typical to complain of pain to the low back and buttocks as your muscles cannot tolerate the activity. Most people with low back pain have a lot of weakness with these muscles.
How we can help
The good news is that with the right physical therapy treatment, you can relieve your pain quickly and prevent it from returning. The fastest way to relieve your pain is to find the true source and treat it. Our physical therapists have years of medical training, specializing in muscles, joints and nerves, to determine where your pain is coming from. With specialized hands-on therapy we can relieve your pain, get you stronger and put you on the right path to return to your favorite activities.
