NE Minneapolis

2112 Broadway Street NE,
Suite 195, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Coon Rapids

8770 Springbrook Dr. NW,
Suite 106, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
a

Common Causes of Spine Pain (and How PT Can Help)

by | Dec 19, 2023 | Back Pain

close up of woman clutching her spine

Are you experiencing persistent back pain? The source of your pain may actually be your spine. If that’s the case, it’s important to know what may be causing your pain, so that you can treat it. Physical therapy is an important first step in treating your spine pain.

What is Spine Pain?

While spine pain is a type of back pain, it’s important to recognize when your pain is caused by a muscular issue or a spinal issue. If you’re experiencing back pain, some signs that it might be spine pain include:

  • Pain or tingling in other areas of the body – like legs, glutes or groin.
  • Weakness in your limbs or loss of motor function
  • Constant or persistent pain that feels like burning. Persistent in this case is pain that lasts for 14+ days.
  • Difficulty maintaining posture

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above alongside back pain, it’s a good idea to speak with a physical therapist to determine the cause of your pain. It could be caused by your spine, which will need treatment in order to heal and reduce your pain.

Related Content: Low Back Pain & MRI Results: Here’s What You Should Know

Common Causes of Spine Pain

If you’re experiencing spinal pain, there are a few common causes to know.

Spine injury or degeneration

If you’ve experienced a spinal injury, this could be causing your pain. This injury may have occurred years or decades before, but only now are you experiencing noticeable symptoms.

Bulging or ruptured discs

Your discs are cushions between the bones in your spine, and can bulge or rupture over time. This then presses on the sensitive nerves in your spine.

Arthritis

Arthritis can be present in your spine as well, which is called osteoarthritis.

Osteoporosis

Like arthritis, osteoporosis can also impact the bones in your spine.

The only way to know for sure what is causing your spine pain is to meet with one of our physical therapists. While you can also seek advice from your primary doctor, a specialist will be better suited to creating a comprehensive treatment plan.

How Can Physical Therapy Ease Or Get Rid Of Your Back Pain?

There are a few key ways physical therapy helps with back and spine pain. Physical Therapy with PRO Therapy can:

  • Get you out of the cycle of: pain, doctor, pills, more pain.
  • Reduce immediate pain and stiffness – usually in a couple of sessions.
  • Figure out what’s really going on, and get to the root cause of your back pain.
  • Target the specific problem with exercises and treatments catered to you and your back issue to help speed up recovery.
  • Put an end to the need for countless pain killers, which can be addictive and are no good for your health in the long term.
  • Get rid of that lack of energy often associated with being in constant pain.
  • Avoid dangerous back surgery and unnecessary injections.
  • Get you back to doing the things you need, want, and love to do with family and friends that you hadn’t been able to do.
  • Stand/sit with greater ease and walk farther distances without having the feelings of pain, tightness and weakness in your back or that it’s going to give out.
  • Sleep through the night without tossing and turning to try to find a comfortable position.

Because each case is different, it’s hard to know exactly what treatment options will be best for your spine pain. That’s why you should meet with one of our doctors of physical therapy in person so we can assess and speak with you directly about your symptoms.

Still not sure about physical therapy? Let’s chat!

We realize some people may be unsure if physical therapy is the right option for them. It could be that you’re not sure it’ll work, or you don’t know whether we can help with what you’re struggling with, or perhaps you had a bad experience somewhere else in the past. If that sounds like you and you’d like to come in and see for yourself how PRO Therapy can help you, sign up for one of our complimentary In Person Discovery Visits. During this session, you’ll meet with one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy one-on-one to discuss treatment options before you have to make a commitment.

Dr. Kevin Spahr

Related Posts

Follow Us

Download Your Free Reports

Tell us where it hurts and we’ll send you our best advice and top tips in one special report…

It’s free! just click below and find the one that works best for you…

back pain and stiffness guide

Back Pain

knee pain and stiffness guide

Knee Pain

neck and shoulder pain guide

Neck Pain

Ankle and Foot Pain Guide

Ankle/Foot Pain

Hip Pain and Stiffness Guide

Hip Pain

See What Our Patients Are Saying

Read our reviews from other people like you who came to see the physical therapy team – and left much healthier and happier.
Excellent
PRO Therapy
Based on 306 reviews
Andrew M.
Had a great experience, they helped me recover from a calf injury I sustained during training for a half marathon. The stretching, exercises, and therapy they provided me helped me get back on track and I was able to run my race! Would recommend to any athlete!
Michelle P.
Exactly what I was looking for in a PT office. I really wanted one-on-one care that included massage/cupping and other therapies. Lily was amazing and my posture has literally never been better. Can’t recommend enough!
Stephanie D.
I'm so glad I went to PRO Therapy. They have great providers, great office staff. I've always felt like I was a person and they really cared.
John U.
Great work to fix my knee injury
I highly recommend
Eli P.
Brooke is incredibly knowledgeable and personable. She listens and works with you and uses your experience and knowledge of yourself and your body as a guide to get great results. This has been the most collaborative PT experience I’ve ever had, in the best way possible. I can’t recommend her and PRO therapy enough.
Cooper B.
PRO Therapy has been awesome! I began visiting for help with managing my rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Kelvyn is attentive and professional. The treatment portion of my visits provides effective recovery and the exercises and homework have helped me to improve my strength, mobility, and quality of life. I highly recommend PRO Therapy!
Kelly Holt (.
Highly recommend stemwave to help inflammation and faster recovery. I've been getting treatments for my rotator cuff!
Arman M.
Chris
Working with Lily at the Northeast clinic was awesome! I worked with her for over a year rehabbing a knee issue. She was very patient with me and worked at my pace, but would push me when she knew I could handle it. She was professional, yet a joy to work with. I will be recommending Lily and the NE clinic to anyone I know! (Mark B)
souleymane C.
Dr Kelvin is amazing, and the front receptionist Jenny is awesome and welcoming. Thank you guys for helping me with my back pain.