Are you someone who pushes through those mysterious aches and pains that crop up occasionally? Do you just assume your lower back pain will get better on its own? While this can work out, it’s not a guarantee. If you’re struggling with back pain, make an appointment with Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy and seek the treatment you deserve.
Lower back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal ailments globally, with an estimated 80% of people experiencing it at some point. But just because it’s a common experience doesn’t mean it can’t cause complications: around 23% of the world’s population suffers from chronic back pain, pain that lingers for longer than three months.
The good news is that physical therapy can resolve most cases of back pain through techniques like manual therapy and therapeutic exercise — no surgery or dangerous pain medications required. Even better, our therapists can often help you improve your back strength and mobility so your back functions better than before your injury.
But to get to that point, you have to take the first step and make an appointment with the physical therapists at Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy.
Need a little extra push? Keep reading to learn why you shouldn’t ignore lower back pain.
Three Reasons to Seek Treatment for Lower Back Pain
It could get worse.
People develop lower back pain for all kinds of reasons. If you suffered a sudden injury, your pain might indeed resolve on its own. But sudden injuries aren’t the only cause of back pain.
Many people will develop back pain due to prolonged sitting, which can contribute to a weakening of the core muscles that stabilize the spine — and puts undue strain on your lower back. Your pain will never fully resolve until you work to strengthen those muscles and address those postural issues.
It could indicate a serious underlying condition.
Not all back pain results from an injury or poor posture. Certain medical conditions, such as spinal fractures, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, can all cause back pain. If left untreated, your symptoms will get worse, and they might bring friends, such as restricted mobility or additional complications.
Our team of physical therapists can help you determine the exact cause of back pain and suggest appropriate treatment methods. If you have developed a chronic condition, we can help you manage your symptoms and work with you to delay the disease’s progression.
You deserve a pain-free life.
Back pain may be common, but it can also be debilitating. Intense, persistent pain can keep you from staying active, which only worsens your symptoms and delays healing. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps you from fully enjoying your life.
Rather than waiting for your pain to resolve, take a proactive approach with physical therapy. We’ll give you the tools to build strength, improve your posture, and get moving — so you can experience lasting back pain relief.
How Does Physical Therapy Help with Back Pain, Anyway?
When it comes to back pain, movement is definitely the best medicine. Research repeatedly shows that regular exercise can reduce back pain and keep it from occurring.
The problem is that exercise might feel like an impossibility when you’re in pain. That’s why physical therapy is such an excellent treatment option: we make movement the center of our treatment.
Once you’ve decided to not ignore your back pain, give Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy a call. Here’s what we’ll do to help you find relief:
Find the cause. Our in-depth physical assessments will help us identify precisely why you’re experiencing back pain, allowing us to develop a customized treatment plan.
Manage pain. We offer several drug-free techniques for managing pain so you can get moving again. Manual therapy, gentle mobilization exercises, and pain-relieving modalities can get you started.
Get moving. We’ll provide a tailored exercise program that suits your needs, interests, and ability levels. We can also help you strengthen your core muscles, ensuring your spine is well supported.
Prevent future pain. We’ll also help you avoid future incidences of back pain by instructing you on proper lifting techniques or offering ergonomic suggestions for your workspace.
Today’s the Day to Stop Ignoring Your Back Pain!
Want to take action? The first step is simple: call Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy to schedule an initial consultation. Then wave your back pain goodbye as you embark on a journey to long-term relief!
Exercise of the Month
Double Knee To Chest
Start on your back with your knees bent. Slowly bring both knees to your chest. Grasp your knees. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat.
Think about your typical day. How much of it is spent sitting? If you’re like most people, the answer is — a lot. We sit at our desks for work. We sit in a car to run errands. We sit on the couch to watch TV at night.
All this sitting is having a big impact on our health. In addition to contributing to back pain, prolonged sitting raises our risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
Fortunately, you don’t have to train like an Olympic athlete to counteract the negative effects of sitting — all it takes is a few simple tweaks to your day!
- Tip 1: Take frequent breaks. If you have a desk job, set a timer to remind you to get up every 30 – 60 minutes to move around. Take a few minutes to grab some water, walk around the office, or stretch.
- Tip 2: Stretch while you watch TV. If you love to relax in front of the TV, incorporate some stretches as you watch your favorite shows.
- Tip 3: Pick up a new hobby. Movement-based leisure activities are a great way to incorporate movement into your day — and you aren’t limited to sports, either. Gardening, dance classes, and walking groups are all excellent options.
Call Us Today
Want to learn more about the risks of sitting — and how to avoid them? Schedule an appointment with Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy today!
Patient Success Spotlight
“I can’t say enough good things about my experience at RMPT. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the super friendly and kind staff, which immediately made me feel welcome. Tyler is simply the best! His professionalism and extensive knowledge truly set him apart. He takes the time to understand my needs and tailored my treatment accordingly. His patience and kindness made every session enjoyable. The staff is super friendly and kind. I highly recommend Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy.”
—Iriana A.
Feel Better by Eating Better!
Sweet & Sour Cauliflower
Easy and healthy Baked Sweet & Sour Cauliflower is a delicious twist on classic sweet & sour chicken or pork and it’s baked instead of fried. You won’t miss meat in this lightened up classic!
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss cauliflower and oil in a ziplock bag. Add corn starch and toss to coat again. Transfer cauliflower to a greased baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 min until cauliflower starts to brown on the bottom. Switch oven to broil and cook on high for 3-4 minutes just until tops start to brown. Combine sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion salt, and ketchup in a medium sauce pan. Stir and bring to a boil. Whisk together corn starch and cold water in a small bowl until dissolved. Add to pan and stir until thickened, then reduce to low heat. Combine roasted cauliflower and sauce. Serve with steamed rice and top with sliced green onions.
Recipe: www.lecremedelacrumb.com/baked-sweet-sour-cauliflower
Ingredients
- 5-6 cups cauliflower florets
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup corn starch
- 3-4 cups steamed rice, for serving
- Thinly sliced green onions for garnish
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion salt
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
Meet Our Staff
Dr. Jennifer Bruer Vandeweert
PT, DPT • Regional Director • Clinical Director of Loveland-Orchards
Jamie Schiess
PTA • Manager of Clinical Operations
Julie Swanson
Practice Manager
Aili Breda
Patient Care Coordinator
Brilee Nightengale
Patient Care Coordinator
Christina Skinner
PTA, Clinic Director of Windsor
Brandi Thompson
Patient Care Coordinator
Dr. Tyler Shandra
PT, DPT, CSCS • Clinic Director of South Fort Collins
Dr. Emily Derrera
PT, DPT • Clinic Director of Greeley
Dr. Ian Davis
PT, DPT
Dr. Connor Hughes
PT, DPT Clinical Director of Central Fort Collins
Nicolette Williams
Patient Care Coordinator
Dr. Amanda Slattery
PT, DPT
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.