Five things to do about your chronic back pain

Chronic back pain is often defined as back pain that consistently lasts for 12 weeks or longer. If you’re dealing with this type of pain and any related symptoms, like tingling or muscle weakness in the extremities, you know how taxing it can be on your quality of life, your relationships and your job.

It’s important to keep a positive attitude as you seek lasting relief from your chronic back pain. There are effective treatment options out there and it can often take some degree of trial and error to find the right combination of therapeutic options for your back pain.

Our team of highly trained and credentialed professionals at Peak Performance Sports and Physical therapy believes that patient education is often the first step of the treatment journey. Here, we’re sharing a practical guide with five things to try for your chronic back pain. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us for more information about how we can help you find relief.

Try these five options for chronic back pain relief

Here are treatments that are a common part of many effective chronic back pain relief plans:

• Heat therapy — Using a heating pad or other heat source for short periods of time at home can help relax tense muscles and improve blood flow.

• Cold therapy — An ice pack or a cold compress can temporarily numb back pain while also helping to relieve inflammation.

• Walking — Taking a walk offers many benefits for back pain sufferers, including loosening stiff muscles and joints, improving circulation and helping with weight management.

• Posture improvement — This simple lifestyle change can have a big effect because it helps relieve pressure on the spine and back muscles while simultaneously strengthening the core.

• Physical therapy — Working with a physical therapist who can evaluate movements and imbalances that are causing back problems helps many back pain sufferers find relief.

It is important to never self-diagnose and self-treat when dealing with chronic back pain. Always work with a qualified medical professional to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.

Peak Performance can help with your chronic back pain

Physical therapy for back pain with Peak Performance will include a full one-on-one evaluation from one of our expert physical therapists to discover the causes of your pain. We will then work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan designed to improve the strength and mobility of your back through a wide range of treatment options, including manual therapy, massage and therapeutic exercise.

To schedule your initial appointment, contact one of our dedicated representatives today.