Back pain may be common, but it doesn’t have to be normal

Members of Excel Physical Therapy’s Spine Specialty Program have advanced training in the treatment of cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine impairments. Many of our specialists have additional certifications in the McKenzie method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment and manual therapy techniques.

PHYSICAL THERAPY: THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST CHRONIC OR ACUTE BACK PAIN

Back pain is one of the most common reasons that people seek medical attention or miss days at work or school. Ranging in intensity from a dull ache to sharp, debilitating agony, upper, middle or lower back pain may result from an acute injury or may have become chronic over time.

The spine is a complex anatomical structure made up of joints, soft tissue, spinal cord, and hundreds of nerves. With such intricate anatomy involved, it’s no wonder that back pain can result from so many different injuries and conditions. Common causes of back pain include:

• Muscle strain or spasm
• Fracture
• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Osteoporosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Scoliosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Weak core muscles
• Poor posture

Physical therapy is often the first line of defense against upper, middle, or lower back pain. By improving your mobility and reducing your pain level, your therapist can often help you avoid prescription medications or more invasive treatment. As musculoskeletal experts, EXCEL’s physical therapists are here to help you treat your back pain—but perhaps more importantly, we can teach you ways to prevent it going forward.

ADVANCED CLINICIANS PROVIDING NEXT-LEVEL CARE

In order to participate in our in-house Spine Specialty Program, our distinguished clinicians must have demonstrated a passion for providing the very best care for patients suffering from impairments of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.

EXCEL’s spine specialists dedicate themselves to a rigorous track of continuing education, including becoming certified in the McKenzie method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment and as Spinal Manual Therapists. The McKenzie Method is a way of assessing mechanical issues in the back and spine by analyzing the body’s reaction to certain positions and movements, rather than relying on diagnostic testing or invasive treatments. Patients are empowered to manage their own symptoms and prevent recurrent issues.

We collaborate with leading local physicians, surgeons, and rehabilitation experts to set up in-house seminars where our therapists can learn about new procedures, cutting edge techniques, and emerging rehab protocols and best practices. When a particularly difficult or complex case arises, our Spine Specialty Program provides a venue for clinicians to collaborate, ensuring that every patient receives the benefit of the best, most advanced knowledge that EXCEL has to offer.