Physical Therapy for Back Pain

– Find Relief and Increase Function

What Are You Missing Due to Back Pain?

Our multifactorial approach aims to improve your quality of life!
  • Decrease Pain
  • Increase Function
  • Provide Education
  • Empower You To Feel Safe In Your Activities
  • Return To A Life That Has Meaning For You
Schedule a FREE Discovery Visit or Phone Consultation.

Around 16 million adults in the United States suffer from persistent or chronic back pain.1 Are you living a limited life? Are you unable to pursue your passions, like tennis, skiing, hiking or playing with your kids or grandkids? Are daily activities challenging, like cooking, dishes, laundry, vacuuming or gardening?

You do not need to suffer endlessly! We provide treatments to relieve back pain by addressing the source of the pain.

Treating Back Pain with Physical Therapy

Woman with back pain

Our goal is to teach you how to use your body for optimal function.

First, we teach awareness of what is causing your symptoms. We begin by getting to know you to understand your specific lifestyle and challenges. This includes investigating current activities and movements that overload your structures.

Our treatment protocols use a variety of tools. We focus on manual therapies, education, motor control of your core muscles, flexibility and strength to address and resolve pain. We incorporate the Integrated Systems Model (ISM) and a comprehensive top to bottom whole body approach.

The result? You learn to move and exercise in ways that create optimal loading and efficient, pain-free movement.

Back Pain Physical Therapy Treatments

Core Stability for Back Pain Relief

For your body’s optimal function, you need both stability and mobility. Stability depends on the ability to transfer loads. Examples of load transfer include: standing on one leg, walking, running, squatting, lunges, single leg activities and lifting.

A stable core protects muscles and joints allowing fluid, pain-free movement.

If you’ve lost proper function or you experience back pain during normal activities, core weakness likely influences this issue. Reestablishing stability is a primary aim of physical therapy for back pain.

back pain check up

Active Physical Therapy – Back Pain Exercises

In-office visits provide a musculoskeletal diagnosis, education and hands-on treatment. Yet, long-term healing also requires time and daily changes. We provide a customized home exercise plan to maximize your treatment results.

You’ll receive instructions and education on how to properly execute each exercise. We’re always here to answer questions and support your daily healing.

Physical Therapy Benefits for Back Pain

The goals of back pain physical therapy are to decrease pain and increase function. We also provide education on a maintenance program to prevent recurrence.

You can expect:
  • Decreased Pain
  • Increased Mobility
  • Personalized Care
  • Support to Avoid Surgery

  • Avoid Dependency on Pain Medications

  • Limited Risk of Additional Injury
  • Reduced Risk of Falls

  • Restored Stability

Back Pain Physical Therapy FAQs

The two common forms of physical therapy include passive and active treatment options.

Passive physical therapy involves treatment administered to the patient. These options may include: joint mobilization, dry needling, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release and neuromodulation. The purpose of these treatments is to align the spine, relax the muscles and train them to activate with symmetry.

The Integrated Systems Model (ISM) focuses on functional movement. Functional movement requires the body to transfer a load, like standing on one leg. We are trained in the ISM which connects movement from the ribs to the neck, hips, back and feet.

In other words, we look at all of you! We want to understand the driving force causing your pain and address the entire system. You will be empowered with self-help home programs to retrain your brain on how to move correctly. Often the exercises are more cognitively than physically challenging.

The treatment plan varies for each person. In general, each patient should continue physical therapy until you meet the treatment goals that your therapist and you decided on.

Our collaborative approach to healing puts the patient at the center. Your treatment plan and timeline for healing tie directly to your unique condition. We’re beside you each step of the way.

We apply our knowledge and skill to build your confidence and encourage your healing. We take it one step at a time and work at the pace you need to feel safe and achieve results.

With so many videos and online resources, we know it is tempting to take a DIY approach to physical therapy. This is not a good idea. Physical therapists must complete specific training and obtain a professional license.

To receive the right musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment plan, you need the expertise of a physical therapist. In fact, you could do more damage if you simply follow online advice. Protect yourself and find the support you need with the help of our highly-trained and patient-centered healthcare professionals.

Back pain treatments include injections, pain medications and surgeries. However, most doctors recommend physical therapy as the first treatment approach.

Physical therapy produces positive results in most patients with less invasive treatment and more conservative care. We’re here to answer your questions!

Yes! Core strengthening is essential for back function. We use Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (RUSI) which allows both the patient and PT to clearly see your core musculature on the ultrasound monitor. Research supports the use of RUSI to see and feel your muscles working correctly and thereby obtain brain and body connection for optimal muscle function.

Without a stable core, you risk damage to your back. This results in pain and loss of function.

A strong core provides improved alignment which reduces stress on your joints. Your treatment plan will likely include a core strengthening element.

Your Path to Back Pain Relief

Start on your journey to healing! Overuse of prescription pain medications can lead to addiction and other side effects. Physical therapy offers a solution to your pain. We partner with you to reach your goals and find lasting healing.

Physical Therapy Specialists serve patients throughout the Denver Metro area at our Centennial clinic.

Contact us today to schedule a FREE phone consultation or discovery visit.
Sources
  1. Georgetown University, “Chronic Back Pain.”
pts-happy family at Physical Therapy Specialist

You have nothing to lose but pain or worry.

Come see for yourself what Physical Therapy Specialists can do for you!