We get up in the morning, sit at the edge of the bed, and take a breath. We stand up and push into our low back and sigh relief as we feel a stretch and release some tension. We get dressed, noticing that today grabbing our shoes from the floor was a little harder. Standing back up was just a little more difficult than yesterday as we let out a little groan. We eat breakfast or help our kids get ready for school. Each time we bend over them we take a breath and brace ourselves for a second. We expect to feel "just a little" pain when we lift them up out of bed or into the car.
"Sure my back hurts, but it's not really that bad."
Driving to work, we notice we were feeling a little better. Now when we get out of the car, there is just a little stiffness in our low back and we pull up on the door to get out. Our ergonomic chair is helpful and our laptop is on the desk. We feel the need to stretch out a little every hour to avoid getting "really tight" by the end of the day. Lunch is a much needed break and we feel good as we walk around the food court and de-stress from the morning. An afternoon of meetings makes us "painfully aware" that with each passing hour, we feel the need to get up and move as the vice begins to tighten just above our beltline. After the longest meeting of the day, as we stand, we notice a groan has slipped from our lips. We are look forward to the end of the day when we can go exercise or spend time with our families. Surely, we will feel better then! Won't we?
"My back pain isn't bad enough to do something about it"
The end of the day arrives and at this point, we are exhausted mentally. Our physical fatigue is increased by the fact that we have dealt with feeling soreness all day. For the second time this week, we decide we "won't go to the gym just for today. We are pretty sore and we might make it worse". We also skipped our child's basketball game this week because "the bleachers kill us", but at the time we blamed it on work. The next day we got to our workout and "just skip a few things because they hurt us".
This cycle repeats!!
I hear these exact words from patients every single day! The justifications of ignoring our pain! We don't realize what we have already sacrificed through a slow decline in our activity. Weight gain, decreased strength, low energy, and a feeling of isolation from friends due to limiting our activities. Why do we wait? If we just took care of it now, could we avoid a longer recovery or WORSE later?!
"Maybe my back pain is worse than I thought!"
What have you already given up to your pain that "isn't that bad"?? What is the limit? What holds you back? Are you now asking yourself:
- When was the last time I played catch with my kids?
- How long has it been since a just went for a drive with my spouse without cutting it short?
- When was the last time that I spent time with a friend playing a sport without pain?
- When was the last time I went to the gym?
What do I do now??
We all live busy lives and there are many reasons that we "let things go". Maybe it's time, finances, not knowing what to do, or maybe it's fear of hearing there is "something really wrong with me".
These are all reasonable and common human responses. We all have different feelings and experiences that determine when and why we choose to address daily nagging aches and pains. So let's address 3 reasons people tend to wait.
1. "I don't have time to deal with my low back pain" - Waiting to see a doctor for your low back pain can be frustrating and it may take 4-6 weeks to get an appointment. Then you leave the office unsatisfied because you only saw the Doctor for 10 minutes and he told you to go to Physical Therapy.
Consider seeing a Physical Therapist first! Appointments in Physical Therapy have shorter wait times. At MyPT appointments will be available within 1-2 days based on your availability! MyPT, provides 60 minute one on one appointments with your Physical Therapist! This ensures that a complete evaluation is completed and ALL of your questions are answered.
Consider that you are currently dealing with your back pain all day, every day! With proper evaluation, treatment, and a personalized Plan of Care with MyPT, you may eliminate or diminish your low back pain so you are back to doing what you love and living your daily life without pain! The results are worth the investment in yourself and in the end it saves you time away from the things you love.
2. "I don't want to pay for visits to the Doctor because my pain isn't that bad" - The cost of visiting the doctor, getting images, and being told to go to Physical Therapy is expensive! So skip that step!!
In the State of Wisconsin (and many others), you can go directly to a Physical Therapist for evaluation and treatment of low back pain. Physical Therapists are now Doctoral level trained and are qualified to determine if your pain is related to bone, muscle, nerve, or joint. MyPT will take a thorough health history to screen for medical reasons for the pain. If your pain is determined to be unrelated to bone, muscle, joint or nerve, you will be referred to your medical provider. Additionally, access to appointments is possible within 1-3 days depending on your availability. Although Physical Therapy with MyPT is an investment in your health, by seeking care from MyPT you save the costs of doctor visit, unnecessary imaging and additional testing that may not help to guide your initial treatment.
3. "I'm not sure who to go to, and I already see a chiropractor" - You have a lot of options of care for low back pain. Chiropractic care and Physical Therapy are 2 very different professions, each with great benefits. Many times, chiropractors and Physical Therapists work together to provide a comprehensive treatment for patients' pain through treatments that compliment each other. So if you already see a chiropractor, that's great! Consider ALSO addressing your pain through Physical Therapy!
At MyPT, we address and correct daily activities and postures that increase pain. We empower you by teaching you how to properly and safely improve your strength and mobility to reach YOUR personal, fitness and health goals! A thorough evaluation of your goals, movement patterns, strength, and flexibility is used to create a Plan of Care to get you back into life! We use a variety of treatment techniques including deep tissue release, myofascial release, dry needling, exercise, stretching, and neuromuscular re-education. Our goals are your goals! By addressing your limitations and correcting compensations, you will be able to participate in activities you love while protecting your body for longevity.
If you are sick of dealing with your back pain that's "not that bad",
Give MyPT a call!
Find the number in my bio.
Or make an appointment online!
MyPT is a private pay PT practice. Packages and memberships are available!