Back Pain

Finding relief so back pain doesn’t hold you back

Back pain doesn’t just affect your body—it can impact your energy, your mood, and your ability to stay present in the life you love. At Embody Health & Wellness, we look beyond the symptoms to treat the whole person. Our experienced providers use personalized physical therapy, hands-on manual techniques, and integrative healing tools to reduce pain, restore movement, and reconnect you with your body. Wherever you are in your journey, we’re here to support you—mind, body, and soul.

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Learn more about Back Pain

Back pain is a prevalent condition that can affect people of all ages and lifestyles. At Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy, we believe in empowering our patients with knowledge about back pain and its causes to help them better understand and manage their condition. Learn more about the common causes of back pain below:

1. Muscle Strain and Sprain: Muscle strain and sprain are common causes of back pain, often resulting from overuse, poor posture, or sudden movements. Strain occurs when muscles are overstretched or torn, while sprain involves the stretching or tearing of ligaments. These injuries can lead to localized pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.

2. Herniated Disc: A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner core of a spinal disc protrudes through the tough outer shell, irritating nearby nerves and causing pain. This condition can result from age-related degeneration, repetitive stress, or sudden trauma. Symptoms may include sharp, shooting pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the back, buttocks, or legs.

3. Degenerative Disc Disease: Degenerative disc disease is a condition characterized by the gradual deterioration of spinal discs over time. As discs lose their elasticity and cushioning ability, they may bulge, herniate, or collapse, leading to back pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Factors such as aging, genetics, and lifestyle habits can contribute to the development of this condition.

4. Spinal Stenosis: Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can compress the spinal cord and nerves, causing back pain and other symptoms. This condition can be congenital or develop over time due to age-related changes, arthritis, or spinal disc herniation. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, weakness, and difficulty walking or standing for extended periods.

5. Poor Posture and Muscular Imbalances: Poor posture and muscular imbalances can contribute to back pain by placing excessive strain on the spine and supporting structures. Prolonged sitting, standing, or repetitive movements can lead to muscle imbalances, tightness, and weakness, contributing to chronic pain and discomfort. Addressing postural issues and correcting muscular imbalances through physical therapy can help alleviate back pain and prevent future problems.

6. Stress and Emotional Factors: Stress and emotional factors can exacerbate back pain by triggering muscle tension, reducing blood flow, and compromising the body’s ability to heal. Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression can contribute to the development or worsening of back pain symptoms. Integrating stress management techniques, relaxation exercises, and mindfulness practices into your treatment plan can help address these emotional factors and promote overall well-being.

Understanding the common causes of back pain is the first step toward finding relief and improving your quality of life. If you’re experiencing back pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy for a thorough evaluation and personalized treatment plan.

At Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy, we understand the debilitating impact that back pain can have on your life. That’s why we offer a comprehensive and modern approach to treating back pain using cutting-edge physical therapy techniques and modalities. Learn more about our approach below:

1. Individualized Assessment: We begin by conducting a thorough assessment to understand the underlying causes of your back pain and identify any contributing factors. Our experienced physical therapists will evaluate your posture, movement patterns, strength, flexibility, and mobility to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals.

2. Hands-On Manual Therapy: Our treatment approach often incorporates hands-on manual therapy techniques to address musculoskeletal imbalances, reduce pain, and improve joint mobility. Techniques such as joint mobilizations, soft tissue massage, and myofascial release are used to target tight muscles, restricted joints, and areas of dysfunction, providing immediate relief and promoting long-term healing.

3. Therapeutic Exercise Programs: We design customized therapeutic exercise programs to strengthen weak muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance overall function. These programs may include core stabilization exercises, stretching routines, functional movements, and postural retraining exercises tailored to your specific needs and abilities. By incorporating targeted exercises into your treatment plan, we can address the root causes of your back pain and prevent future recurrences.

4. Modalities and Advanced Technologies: We utilize a variety of modalities and advanced technologies to complement our treatment approach and enhance your outcomes. Modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, cold laser therapy, and therapeutic ultrasound may be used to reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms, facilitating the healing process and promoting tissue repair. Additionally, we may incorporate advanced technologies such as biofeedback and neuromuscular re-education to improve motor control, proprioception, and movement patterns.

5. Postural Correction and Ergonomic Education: Improper posture and ergonomic habits can contribute to back pain and exacerbate existing symptoms. We provide education on proper body mechanics, ergonomics, and postural awareness to help you maintain optimal alignment and reduce strain on your spine. By addressing postural issues and modifying your daily activities and work environment, we can alleviate stress on your back and prevent future episodes of pain.

6. Functional Rehabilitation and Return to Activity: Our ultimate goal is to help you return to your normal activities and enjoy life without limitations. We focus on functional rehabilitation, which involves restoring your ability to perform everyday tasks and activities with ease and confidence. Through targeted exercises, functional activities, and sport-specific drills, we can help you regain strength, flexibility, and mobility, allowing you to resume your favorite activities and hobbies.

Back pain can disrupt your life, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks and enjoy your favorite activities. Fortunately, physical therapy offers numerous benefits for treating back pain and helping you reclaim your quality of life. Discover the advantages of choosing physical therapy for back pain relief at Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy:

1. Non-Invasive Treatment: Physical therapy provides a non-invasive and conservative approach to treating back pain, minimizing the need for medication or surgery. Our skilled physical therapists utilize a variety of techniques, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and modalities, to address the underlying causes of your pain and promote healing naturally.

2. Pain Reduction: One of the primary goals of physical therapy for back pain is to alleviate discomfort and reduce pain. Through targeted exercises, hands-on techniques, and modalities such as heat, ice, and electrical stimulation, we can help alleviate muscle tension, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow to the affected area, resulting in significant pain relief.

3. Improved Functionality and Mobility: Back pain can limit your range of motion and hinder your ability to perform everyday activities. Physical therapy aims to restore optimal functionality and mobility to your spine, allowing you to move more freely and perform tasks with greater ease. By strengthening supporting muscles, improving flexibility, and correcting movement patterns, physical therapy can help you regain function and independence.

4. Prevention of Recurrence: Physical therapy not only treats existing back pain but also helps prevent future episodes from occurring. By addressing underlying imbalances, strengthening core muscles, and improving posture and body mechanics, physical therapy can reduce your risk of re-injury and help you maintain a healthy spine for the long term.

I developed a lower back problem from January 2024 after taking an adult beginning ballet class and thought I just had to live with it. By October 2024, just reaching down to put away dishes in the dishwasher created sharp pain. On a whim I decided to stop by and see if physical therapy could do anything. After just two weeks of seeing Dr. Erica I can see significant improvement. And after 4 sessions, I had no more lower back problem. I was amazed and so thankful. I didn’t know about physical therapy and what it can do. I’m so thankful. I’m active again. Now Dr. Erica is helping me with my goal of running. It’s always been hard for me to run and through physical therapy I’m learning how to run and it’s becoming easier. I hope to run in races soon.appreciate that the program I was out on was a collaboration between my needs and the expertise of the staff.

– J. Pennelly

Take the Next Step

If back pain is holding you back, it’s time to find relief that lasts. At Embody Health & Wellness, we take a whole-person approach to healing — blending compassionate care with innovative, hands-on treatment to help you move better, feel stronger, and return to the life you love. Schedule your appointment today and let our expert team support you every step of the way.

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