Lower Back Pain and Lumbar Pain Physical Therapy: Live Without Pain Constraints

Come to OneEssential to solve your lower back pain issues, whether it’s acute sprain-induced swelling and pain or joint pain suspected to be caused by overuse and degeneration. Our physical therapists provide comprehensive lower back pain treatment and clinical examinations, helping you fundamentally eliminate the pain.

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What is Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain refers to discomfort or pain between the lower back and the buttocks. This pain can sometimes extend to the thighs and even the feet, especially when nerves are compressed, making the pain more pronounced.

Lower back pain is a health issue that troubles many modern individuals. Whether you are someone who sits for long periods, engages in physical labor, or are a sports enthusiast/athlete, you may suffer from lower back pain. In fact, lower back pain is one of the most common health problems globally, with an estimated prevalence rate of about 7.3%.

Causes of Lower Back Pain

Acute Strain
Poor Exercise Posture
Overuse from Work and Exercise
Prolonged Sitting or Maintaining the Same Posture for Long Periods
Excess Body Weight
Lower Back Pain During Menstruation and Postpartum
Internal Medical Conditions, such as Tumors

Long-Term Causes and Symptoms of Lower Back Pain: Poor Posture Isn't the Main Cause?

Common Symptoms of Lower Back Pain

Limited range of motion, especially when bending forward
Severe or dull pain in the back
Pain and numbness extending to the buttocks, legs, or feet
Muscle soreness from prolonged sitting and standing
Difficulty falling asleep due to discomfort or pain

Potential Structural Issues Causing Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain can be caused by various factors, and the best treatment plan is one tailored to the patient. The value of physical therapy lies in its diverse methods, effectively addressing various health issues and providing professional guidance on your path to recovery. We aim to share some clinical knowledge here to help you better understand your underlying issues and trust our professional expertise.

Lumbar Ligament Strain

When the ligaments in the lumbar spine are injured due to excessive stretching or sudden movements, it can lead to ligament strain. Ligament strains typically occur during sports or accidental twists, where the ligaments cannot withstand excessive tension and become damaged, causing lower back pain and local stiffness. Severe cases may even result in numbness and pain radiating to the buttocks and lower limbs.

Lower Back Muscle Overuse or Strain

Lower back muscle overuse and strain are among the most common causes of lower back pain. Lifting heavy objects frequently leads to muscle injuries, and some people may even strain their back muscles from sneezing or coughing. Prolonged sitting can cause lower back muscles to become tight and weak, making them more susceptible to strains and sudden spasms.

However, do not underestimate muscle issues just because they are common. If the pain is severe and persists for a period, it is recommended to consult a professional physical therapist for a detailed diagnosis. Improper handling can affect joint health and lead to recurrent issues.

Lumbar Joint Degeneration (Bone Spurs)

Bone spurs formed due to lumbar joint degeneration from aging and lifestyle factors can irritate or compress lumbar nerves and surrounding soft tissues, causing lower back pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. Proper stretching and strengthening of surrounding muscles effectively improve lumbar health.

Lumbar Disc Herniation

Disc herniation occurs when the gel-like center of a spinal disc (nucleus pulposus) protrudes outward, compressing the surrounding annulus fibrosus. If the disc is severely worn or injured, the nucleus pulposus may completely extrude. Disc herniation typically happens during activities like lifting heavy objects, pulling, bending, or twisting the body. Disc herniation does not always require surgical treatment; physical therapists can guide you through stretching exercises and strengthening routines to enhance back muscle strength and improve flexibility, addressing disc herniation issues.

Lumbar Nerve Root Pathology (Nerve Root Compression)

When the lumbar nerve roots are compressed or irritated, it can lead to lumbar nerve root pathology, typically causing severe lower back pain that extends to the buttocks, the back or outer side of the thighs, and even the calves and the tops of the feet, accompanied by tingling, numbness, or weakness.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are autoimmune diseases that attack the joints of the lumbar spine, causing pain and stiffness. This disease triggers chronic inflammation, leading to joint swelling, stiffness, and gradual destruction of the surrounding lumbar spine tissues. Patients often experience worsened symptoms in the morning or after long periods of inactivity, particularly increased stiffness and pain in the lower back.

Postpartum Lower Back Pain

Many women experience lower back pain after childbirth, related to changes in the lumbar spine and pelvis during pregnancy. As the abdomen enlarges, the pelvis naturally tilts forward, and hormonal changes weaken the ligaments, causing increased pressure on the lower back muscles and lumbar spine. Without proper postnatal recovery exercises, this pain can persist for some time.

Hear from Customers with Lower Back Pain

Alan of OneEssential is HIGHLY Recommended! I can assure you that OneEssential's tagline, 'Return to 120%', is not a marketing gimmick. His level of professionalism not only helped me tackle all my injuries (i.e. Achilles Tendonitis, Back-pain, Stiff Shoulders etc.), but he also helped me improve my performance in all three disciplines in Triathlon (Swim, Bike, Run.). All this led to finishing my first Ironman 70.3 race in 5 months. 2 years is now passed since i started with OneEssential and now I’ve completed a full Ironman race. Alan is also not the usual Physiotherapist in town; his methods would include understanding the patient's objectives and goals carefully to ensure the treatment he provides is effective. For instance, he works closely with my Triathlon coaches to ensure my rehabilitation and training progress are met.

JP De Guzman

Different from typical physical therapists on the market.

I went to Alan for an ankle strain and issues with my lower back. In both occasions Alan was very knowledgable and went through all the after-care activities to ensure that I would on the road to recovery. After seeing Alan, not only have the knowledge to help myself recover but I was pain free. Thank you Alan!

Edward Cheung

Completely free from pain.

Have been treated by Alan for a lower back injury just before my race (Ironman). He is super knowledgeable, very professional and helped fix my injury so I could race pain free! He not only treatsed the injury but also gave me very helpful rehab exercises to improve the injury and strengthen my lower back. Very happy with his treatment and I definitely recommend OneEssential! Alan is great!

JJ Middendorp

Absolutely recommend OneEssential!

Alan is the best physiotherapist I have ever seen, very professional and caring. Gave my waist back 🏃🏻‍♀️Highly recommended!

Tsz yan Shum

The best physical therapy clinic I’ve ever visited.

Diagnosing Lower Back Pain

Diagnosing and assessing lower back pain are crucial steps to identify the root cause of the problem. Through professional and comprehensive examinations, more accurate determinations can be made regarding the cause, allowing for the development of corresponding treatment plans.

Most Accurate Treatment and Prevention Methods for Lower Back Pain

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One-on-One Consultation

During the consultation phase, our physical therapists engage in detailed one-on-one discussions to help determine whether your lower back pain is caused by trauma or overuse. Different structural injuries often present different pain patterns. Based on these causes, we plan the appropriate treatment and the proportion of strengthening training.

Clinical Examination

In addition to medical tests, clinical examinations are also an effective method for assessing lower back pain. Physical therapists will test various movements and areas, observing the location of pain to determine your condition. These may include:

Specific Tests, such as the Slump Test
Lumbar Range of Motion Testing
Muscle Strength Testing
Palpation
Posture Testing
Peripheral Joint and Fascia Testing, such as Hip Joint Strength

Medical Testing

If lower back pain is accompanied by severe nerve compression symptoms or if symptoms persist without improvement, doctors and physical therapists may recommend imaging scans like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans. These imaging techniques help confirm conditions like disc herniation and rule out fractures and tumors. Physical therapists can combine imaging reports, patient symptoms, and clinical examinations to formulate a suitable treatment plan.

Why Choose OneEssential's Lower Back Pain Physical Therapy?

One-on-One Treatment for Lower Back Pain

We design personalized physical therapy and rehabilitation plans based on the causes and symptoms of your lower back pain. Led one-on-one by professional physical therapists, we aim to address the root causes of lower back pain efficiently.

One-Stop Prevention of Lower Back Pain

Leveraging years of experience in pain management and rehabilitation, OneEssential provides a one-stop solution for handling lower back pain issues. From acute sprain treatment to chronic overuse-related pain management, we guide patients through appropriate rehabilitation exercises and lifestyle adjustments to strengthen back muscles and the lumbar spine, further preventing the recurrence of lower back pain.

Professional and Reliable

Through comprehensive clinical evaluations, we accurately identify the true causes of your lower back pain and provide treatment based on scientific evidence. You can fully trust our professional judgment without worrying or guessing about other factors.

How Does OneEssential Treat Your Lower Back Pain?

Focused Shockwave Therapy

Using “electroacoustic shockwave” technology, we generate stable high-energy shockwaves directed at the areas affected by lower back pain, including thigh muscles and tendons, as well as ligaments and cartilage around the lumbar spine. This stimulates self-repair of degenerated tendon cells, rapidly alleviates pain, and accelerates healing.

Rehabilitation Exercises

Based on your current activity level and condition, we teach you personalized stretching and strengthening exercises to address the root causes of lower back pain and prevent recurrence. The teaching process emphasizes gradual improvement, starting with low-risk levels and progressively enhancing training intensity, aiming for comprehensive recovery.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy involves techniques like joint mobilization and sports massage to restore lumbar mobility, focusing on relaxing back muscles and related structures like the hip joints to alleviate lower back pain. These techniques are safe and non-invasive and are typically used in conjunction with other physical therapy methods.

Acupuncture Therapy

Dry needling, also known as modern acupuncture, is one of the techniques used by physical therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain. By inserting fine needles into the muscles and tendons near the lumbar spine, we stimulate healing and blood circulation, instantly relaxing tight muscles and relieving lower back pain.

Overview of Physical Therapy Services

Cure Lower Back Pain with the Best Physical Therapy

Understanding the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention methods of lower back pain can help you take early action against this common lumbar issue, avoiding long-term pain and gradual worsening. We will create a personalized treatment plan for you, allowing you to overcome lower back pain quickly.

If you wish to have a preliminary consultation, please fill out the form below. Our physical therapists will assess your current condition and provide you with the most professional advice.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain does not always require X-rays, CT scans, or MRI. These imaging diagnostic tools are primarily used to rule out internal medical conditions such as cancer or fractures. Common lower back pain symptoms, such as localized lower back pain or soreness from prolonged sitting, are often due to overuse. OneEssential's physical therapists can determine the injured structures and causes through detailed consultations and clinical examinations, including issues with muscles, intervertebral discs, or bone spurs. Most of these issues can be treated safely and effectively without relying on imaging scan results.

To prevent lower back pain, you can start by establishing good lifestyle habits, including:

Maintaining regular exercise and strengthening lower back muscles
Performing appropriate warm-up exercises before intense physical activities

OneEssential not only addresses your immediate lower back pain and deeply treats the root causes but also guides recovered lower back pain patients through preventive exercises, learning how to prevent the recurrence of lower back pain.

Pain patches can provide localized anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects with fewer side effects compared to taking anti-inflammatory medications. They are suitable for mild inflammation and occasional overuse, such as muscle fatigue and soreness after lifting heavy objects. These can be applied for a few days to provide simple relief. However, if the pain persists after using pain patches or if you experience severe strains with symptoms beyond localized lower back pain, such as impaired mobility and numbness in the lower limbs, it is recommended to seek assistance from a physical therapist.

OneEssential's lower back pain physical therapy services offer one-on-one consultations and treatments, targeting the underlying causes of lower back pain to address the pain at its source.

Many people believe that lower back pain is primarily caused by muscle tightness, so in clinical settings, lower back pain patients often report a lack of stretching. In reality, if your lower back pain is due to a short-term muscle strain, simple stretching exercises can indeed alleviate discomfort. However, many studies have found that much of lower back pain is not due to a single structural issue but is influenced by factors like exercise habits and lifestyle. Additionally, tight muscles often result from long-term lack of training and activity, leading to muscle degradation. To truly eliminate muscle soreness, strengthening exercises are a better choice.

If you want to completely cure your lower back pain, consider having a detailed assessment with OneEssential's physical therapists to understand the underlying factors of your lower back pain and the corresponding solutions. Combining proper rehabilitation exercises with appropriate training will gradually improve your lumbar health.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lower Back Pain Physical Therapy

This depends on the injured structure, cause, and severity of the lower back pain.

Muscle Strains: Generally recover within two to four weeks.
Severe Ligament Strains and Disc Herniation: May require two to three months of recovery.
Nerve Line Compression Causing Leg Numbness and Pain: Often requires several months to a year for recovery.
Recurrent Overuse-Related Chronic Issues: Require comprehensive evaluation of lifestyle habits and other factors to resolve the problem.

OneEssential's physical therapists will discuss the treatment plan with you after the initial consultation to ensure that each patient clearly understands every step of the treatment process.

Chronic lower back pain generally does not require medication assistance. Even if the pain persists for a period, such lower back pain is usually not caused by structural damage or inflammation, and medications can only provide limited relief.

For acute lower back pain, it depends on the severity of the injury. Since lower back pain can significantly affect daily life and even make it difficult to sleep, this can hinder the recovery speed of the injured area. In the early stages, using medication to control the condition allows patients to engage more effectively in rehabilitation exercises and combine with other physical therapy techniques for better results.

OneEssential's physical therapists can make medical judgments based on your actual condition. Our goal is to help patients gradually reduce dependence on painkillers and improve quality of life.

Lower back pain can usually be treated through physical therapy. In most cases, only acute injuries involving fractures or symptoms of central nerve damage, such as paralysis of both legs and loss of bladder or bowel control, require urgent surgery. If you experience any of these conditions, seek assistance promptly.

Conversely, lower back pain issues often involve complex causes, including structural problems, lifestyle habits, and lack of training, which surgery cannot address. Lumbar spine surgeries are typically aimed at disc herniation and severe degenerative nerve compression. These injuries have the potential to heal and adapt on their own. A series of detailed examinations and treatments are necessary to decide, so please consult with doctors and physical therapists.

OneEssential also provides professional pre- and post-surgery consultations, as well as comprehensive post-operative treatment and training programs to help patients completely cure lower back pain issues.

OneEssential's lower back pain physical therapy service is priced at $1,400 for a 60-minute session, which includes all examinations and treatment techniques. Since lower back pain often has multiple causes, including factors beyond structural issues such as lifestyle stress and posture habits, our physical therapists conduct comprehensive evaluations without charging separately for each examination part. Relevant rehabilitation guidance is also provided during the treatment process.