This disease is the leading cause of back pain among older adults. It affects your spinal disks, which are rubbery cushions between the bones of the spine. The discs serve as shock absorbers and keep the back flexible, so you can bend and twist effortlessly. However, the discs break down with age due to the stress of daily movements.

If your back pain is caused by degenerative disc disease, you may feel a constant pain that worsens when you twist or bend. Your doctor will order imaging tests to check for nerve or bone damage near the spine.

Although stretching and exercise may offer short-term relief, you need long-term treatment. In addition to medication, a doctor may recommend physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in your back.

3. Sciatica

Sciatica may also cause lower back pain that gets worse when you sit for a long period. Sciatica defines the pain from the irritation of the sciatic nerve, which is the body’s longest nerve. The sciatica nerve stretches from the lower back down the buttock and leg. Thus, the pain radiates from the lower back with weakness and tingling in the affected leg.

4. Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Inflammation in the sacroiliac joints causes back pain, stiffness, and instability. The sacroiliac joints sit where the pelvis meets the spine, from where they carry the weight of your upper body. Injury or stress from repetitive movements can cause inflammation in the sacroiliac joints and cause lower back pain that extends to the buttocks and hips. Fortunately, this condition responds well to chiropractic care and physical therapy.

Physical therapy is among the most important treatments for back pain. Many people switch sleeping positions, buy a new mattress, rest, or try hot and cold therapies when dealing with back pain. However, the pain may persist and affect your ability to complete your daily activities. Physical therapy is effective because it helps your body heal and restores your mobility.

At Advanced Physicians, we customize treatments for a range of conditions that cause back pain. First, our physical therapists will determine the cause of your back pain through mobility tests, physical examination, and imaging tests.

Then, your physical therapist determines a treatment plan that includes strengthening exercises, range-of-motion movements, and low-impact aerobic conditioning. The benefits of physical therapy include restored mobility, decreased pain, and personalized care.