There are a variety of causes of lower back pain. As such, figuring out the exact cause of your lower back pain will take a little investigation from your provider. In order to zero in on the cause of your lower back pain and to effectively treat it, you will have a detailed discussion about your symptoms with your doctor or physical therapist. The information you share will help them figure out why you’re feeling pain.
Here are some questions that your provider will most likely ask you regarding your lower back pain.
Where is the pain located?
Depending on the exact location of your pain symptoms, your doctor or physical therapist can locate the originating cause. For example, if the pain is localized in the middle of the lower spine, it could be a herniated disc. If the pain is in the tail bone and travels down one of your legs, it is likely sciatica. The location of the pain is a big clue on its cause.
When did the pain start?
Sometimes, pain develops due to a specific incident, such as a sports collision or car accident. Such pain is often acute but requires imaging and immediate treatment to prevent long-term complications. Many times, lower back pain is chronic, meaning it has been happening for weeks or months without a discernable event that could have caused it. Chronic pain is often caused by some forms of arthritis or lifestyle habits, such as obesity, improper posture, or living a sedentary lifestyle.
What does the pain feel like?
Doctors and physical therapists are often able to discern the cause of pain by understanding the type of pain you feel. For instance, if your pain is shooting or sharp, it may be sciatica. If it’s a dull pain, it could be a muscle strain. If it is an aching pain, the cause could be arthritis or a herniated disc. As such, you should take some time to think about what kind of pain you feel in the lower back and describe it correctly to your provider.
How bad is the pain? How have you been treating it?
Your provider will likely ask you how severe your pain is. For instance, they may ask you to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being slightly painful and 10 being severely painful. They may also ask you if the severity of the pain changes depending on the activity you’re doing. Does the pain get worse when you’re standing or exercising and get less intense when you rest? This can clue medical professionals in on various possible causes.
Your provider will also likely ask you how you’ve been treating the pain. If you are taking over-the-counter pain relievers and it’s not giving you relief, they will know to recommend a stronger treatment. If you have been taking prescription pain medication, injection therapy, physical therapy, or a combination of treatments may be appropriate.
Lower Back Pain Treatment in Round Rock, Manor, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Bee Cave, and Hutto, TX
If you are looking for a licensed and experienced physical therapist to help you recover from lower back pain, trust our experts at Endeavor Physical Therapy & Wellness. Our physical therapists regularly treat patients with spine, knee, hip, shoulder, hand, foot, and ankle issues.
Our highly personalized physical therapy programs help patients enjoy an improvement in their quality of life, and surgery patients report a relatively quick recovery time with our help. We will work with you as much or as little as you like.
To make an appointment with one of our excellent physical therapists, contact us at (512)-284-7192 or by filling out our convenient appointment request form online now. We look forward to serving you!
