Statistics show that 80% of the population will experience an episode of low back pain (LBP) at some point in their lives. Of those people, 20 % experience a recurrence every year. LBP can seriously effect lives and yet 99% of the time it is not medically serious. It is not unusual to experience symptoms for 2-6 weeks. Only a small portion of people (10-25%), have persistent LBP that lasts longer than normal (2-6 weeks). We emphasize to our patients that they will be better off to try and live their normal lifestyle as much as possible.
Many of factors can contribute to LBP such as stress, poor sleep, family and work issues. There are plenty of studies that refute the notion that LBP is caused by your spine being out of place, posture, or even the small muscles in the spine are not firing properly. As well, diagnostic tools such as x-rays and MRI’s are not effective in predicting the cause of the LBP. Many people have no symptoms but have significant findings on their x-rays and MRI’s.
You may need to limit some motions for a brief period if they are extremely painful. Once your initial pain starts to subside, no motions are off limits. In order to get better we need to MOVE! Pain science backs this time and time again.
Neil Hergott B. Sc. PT
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Okotoks Physical Therapy (OPT) has been serving the Okotoks and Foothills region since 1994. We are the only clinic in Okotoks that have contracts to treat both Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and Alberta Community Physiotherapy Program (ACPT) clients.
(403) 938-7404
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