The pain management specialists of IMC Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in New City, New York treat one of the leading causes of disability in the United States – chronic back pain. This is also one of the top reasons people decide to see a physical therapist in the first place. Through integrative medicine that offers a variety of treatment modalities, IMC Physical Medicine helps those suffering from back pain find relief.
There’s no easy answer to this question because back pain is a symptom of a number of problems, most easily identified with the proper testing. Back pain is linked to:
Any one of these conditions can cause destabilizing back pain that lasts for weeks if left untreated.
While back pain can happen to anyone, there are certain things that put a person at risk for it, such as age, for example. Back pain becomes more common as you grow older and the structural elements of the spine begin to break down.
Lifestyle is another critical component. Poor exercise habits mean muscles that grow weak and lose their mobility. If you end up doing something physical like moving furniture, they sprain easily. Excess weight comes into play, as well. Carrying those extra pounds makes weak muscles work even harder. Mood tends to be a factor, too. People prone to depression or anxiety are at risk for chronic back pain, as well.
The exact diagnostic method depends on different things, but it usually starts with a full medical history and a discussion about lifestyle. Where the pain comes from along the spine can help pinpoint the problem, too. The doctor also examines your back and may ask you to sit, stand walk, or lift your legs as part of the assessment.
In some cases, the physician may use imaging to figure out what’s going on. A simple x-ray can show if the bones are in alignment or if there’s inflammation that might be related to arthritis.
IMC Physical Therapy uses a number of services in the treatment of back pain. Physical therapy is the cornerstone of most care plans because it works to strengthen the musculoskeletal structure and naturally relieves the chronic pain. Through osteopathic manipulative treatment, the physician uses a series of hand movements to examine and potentially realign the joints in the back. Chiropractic care offers adjustments that realign the spine to take the stress off our back, too.
