Getting Back On Track: Physical Therapy for Lower Back Pain in Metairie, LA

Imagine waking up each morning with a dull ache or sharp twinge in your lower back – it’s the first thing you feel when you get out of bed and continues to grow worse each time you bend, lift, move, or even sit. 

As much as we hate to say it, this is a harsh reality for many in the Metairie community. 

And if you’ve stumbled on this page, then you probably fall in that category. 

But don’t worry – you’re not alone and people like us (FunXional PT) can help!

In fact, while roughly 75-85% of Americans experience some form of back pain during their life, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), nearly 90% of those people will find relief. 

And with our expertise, you can find yourself on the right side of that 90%. 

What’s important is that you schedule an appointment with your local Metairie physical therapist as soon as possible to go over your treatment options and determine the best course of action moving forward. 

Finding the Cause: What’s Triggering Your Lower Back Pain? 

Lower back pain (lumbago) refers to any discomfort or pain that occurs in the lumbar region of the spine – which consists of five vertebrae and is located between the bottom of the rib cage and top of the pelvis. 

The pain can be sharp, dull, aching, burning or a combination of all of these. 

In order to treat that pain, your physical therapist must first determine where the pain is coming from and what’s triggering it. That way, they know what lifestyle and habitual changes are needed during treatment. 

Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of lower back pain: 

• A muscle or ligament that is torn, sprained, pulled, or strained
• Poor posture while sitting, standing, or lying down
• Incorrect techniques while lifting, twisting, or pulling heavy or large objects
• Carrying a heavy bag or purse for extended periods (or frequently)
• Pushing yourself too hard during exercise or physical activity
• A disk that is weakened, bulging, ruptured, or herniated
• Health conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, or fibromyalgia
• Injuries such as trauma, compression fractures, or deformities

Identifying the cause of lower back pain is essential for determining the right treatment and management strategies to help find relief and improve function – whether that treatment be at home, in a clinic, or both.

Put Your Back Into It: How & When Can Physical Therapy Help? 

Lower back pain can significantly disrupt daily activities and quality of life, but physical therapy can help relieve you of any symptoms you’re experiencing – while also preventing new symptoms from developing. 

All in all, there are four main goals of physical therapy for back pain: 

1. Reduce any painful symptoms in the lower back
2. Improve lower back function to better tolerate daily activities
3. Increase range of motion and flexibility in the spine
4. Create a maintenance program to prevent future issues

Physical therapy through FunXional PT can include everything from stretching routines to strengthening exercises, aerobic conditioning, manual therapy, posture training, lifestyle advice, and dry needling. 

Back to the Basics: Home Remedies for Lower Back Pain

While it’s true that nearly 75-85% of us will experience back pain at some point in our lifetimes, a strong majority of those cases are minor and temporary – meaning surgery and injections won’t be necessary. 

Not only that, but there might be times when your physical therapist or doctor aren’t available right away. 

Either way, don’t panic. There are a wide variety of things you can do from the comfort of your own home that can provide some degree of pain relief (such as cold and heat therapy) until you see a professional. 

There are also several things that can help you prevent future episodes and prevent existing symptoms from growing worse – including  maintaining good posture, stretching daily, and exercising regularly. 

Don’t worry – we’ll take a closer look at some of these at-home remedies for lower back pain below! 

4. Cold and Heat Therapy

If lower back pain is knocking at your doorstep, you can always apply an ice pack or cold compress to the back for 15-20 minutes every few hours to help reduce inflammation, numb the area, and decrease pain.

Likewise, heat therapy (such as a heating pad) can help relax muscles, improve blood flow, and promote healing – and can even be combined with cold therapy, though you should avoid excessive use of either.

3. Maintain Good Posture

Good posture ensures that your spine is in its natural S-curve, which helps distribute body weight evenly across the spine and prevents muscle imbalances that are known to put extra pressure on the lower back.

By maintaining proper alignment, you can minimize unnecessary stress on the spine and prevent some muscles from becoming overworked or underutilized – two of the most common causes of back pain. 

2. Stretch Daily

Stretching helps lengthen muscles and ligaments in the back, hips, and legs, which can improve flexibility and range of motion in those areas – ultimately reducing strain on the lower back and preventing injury. 

Some of the most effective stretches to help prevent lower back pain include the cat-cow stretch, child’s pose, hamstring stretch, knee-to-chest stretch, pelvic tilts, and anything that reduces stress on the back. 

1. Exercise Regularly

Incorporating a balanced exercise routine into your daily schedule that focuses on strength, flexibility, and endurance can help maintain a healthy spine, reduce the risk of injuries, and alleviate existing discomfort. 

Specific exercises, like the bird-dog, back extensions, and the superman exercise, target the lower back muscles directly – which can help build resilience and reduce the likelihood of strains and other injuries.

FunXional PT: The Best Physical Therapist Metairie Has to Offer

Did you wake up with a dull ache or sharp twinge in your lower back? Does your lower back hurt anytime you bend over or try to lift something? Are at-home remedies not providing the long-term relief you need?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions above, then don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place!

Welcome to FunXional PT – hands-down the best physical therapist Metairie, Louisiana has to offer. 

Lower back pain can significantly impact daily life, making simple tasks like bending, lifting, or even walking a challenge – but regular visits with us can help relieve you of all that stress and discomfort. 

Our practice specializes in personalized treatment plans that address the root causes of pain, rather than just masking symptoms – and that means doing whatever possible to avoid surgery and/or injections. 

Feel free to contact us today at (504) 517-4594 or fill out our online form to book your free consultation!