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Back PainIn Alexandria

Research suggests that 4 out of every 5 people have lower back pain at some point in their lives.

In February 2010, the Archives of Internal Medicine reported that the direct costs of treatment for low back pain in the United States are over $50 billion a year. This is more than half the amount spent yearly on cancer treatment.

According to the Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most back pain is caused by muscle strain, awkward lifting of heavy objects, bad posture, weak core muscle strength or generally poor overall fitness. These factors can cause both sudden back pain and chronic, persistent back pain that has been troublesome over time.

With many treatment options available, patients may wonder, ‘What is the best treatment for my back pain?’ While surgical procedures are often the first suggestion, physical therapy is often more effective – and non-invasive! The therapists at Elite Physical Therapy are experts in the non-surgical treatment of spine injuries. We help patients recover using hands-on physical therapy and supervised, targeted exercise while also fending off future problems.

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

Back pain can be caused by a variety of conditions and injuries. Some are simple and easy to diagnose and treat, and others may be more complicated and involve a longer recovery period. Muscle strains or sprains in the low back can be caused by lifting heavy objects, bending or twisting with incorrect body mechanics. Age related degeneration of the discs in the spine can also cause persistent pain by compressing the nerves that exit the spinal cord. Changes in bone structure such as fractures and stenosis are somewhat less common but still relevant causes of low back pain.

Wide Range of Low Back Symptoms

Because there are so many different things that can cause low back pain, everyone may experience slightly different symptoms. Some common complaints include muscle cramping, dull, or aching pain that may suggest muscle or ligament injuries. Sharp, shooting pain, or pain that causes numbness or tingling may indicate injury or compression to a nerve, among other possibilities. Usually back pain is increased or decreased depending on position and is not constant throughout the day.

Non-Invasive Treatments for Low Back Issues

There are a variety of physical therapist treatment approaches for low back pain. Often increased stabilization from the muscles in your core can decrease back pain, so your therapist can design a program to strengthen these muscles. Core strength and hands on techniques like spinal mobilization and manipulation can increase joint movement and decrease pain. Other treatment options include specific back pain exercises that have been shown to decrease position-specific pain. In general, the best thing to do for low back pain is continue moving, and our therapists will help you continue to be as active as possible with minimal pain.

Who Benefits From Spine Care at Elite Physical Therapy?

Patients who have acute and chronic low-back and neck pain, muscle-tension headaches, pain extending into the arms or legs, general arthritic spine complaints, lumbar spinal stenosis, and work-related spine pain may benefit from physical therapy at Elite Physical Therapy. In addition, post-surgery physical therapy is critical for successful and faster recovery from operations such as laminectomy and fusion.

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Back Pain Location

Alexandria

3446 Masonic Drive
Alexandria, LA 71301
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • A physical therapy visit lasts about 40-60 minutes. The actual contents of the visit vary based on your diagnosis/need, but typically what happens is:

    1. You check in with the receptionist, make any appointments necessary, and we discuss your health insurance benefits with you.
    2. You go into the gym. You can change clothes if you need to, then begin therapy.
    3. You perform 6-8 various exercises and stretches. These can include therapeutic band exercises, light body weight exercises, or minimal weights. The stretches will promote strength, stability, improved range of motion, and pain relief.
    4. We can initiate other techniques to include manual work, taping, cupping, and dry needling as needed.
    5. The therapist makes recommendations based on your progress. These can include altering the frequency of visits, making additions/alterations to your home exercise plan, or things to do before your next visit.
  • We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.

  • If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.

  • During your initial evaluation, your therapist may ask you a number of questions to determine what the cause of your pain is. This can include questions about your sleep habits, activity level, and work environment. They will also ask for a medical history, and then typically ask direct questions about where and when you experience pain.

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People in Alexandria Trust Elite Physical Therapy

Hear from patients that reclaimed their lives.

"After eight years of pain, a total knee replacement was exactly what the doctor ordered. It wasn’t the actual surgery I was dreading, but the months of Physical Therapy. However, the moment I walked into Elite, my impression was changed. The state of art facility is well managed, the professional and friendly staff made me feel welcome from the start, and all of the assistants made sure I was comfortable and well equipped to complete my therapy sessions."

5 stars

Gerald L.

Elite Physical Therapy Patient

"Elite Physical Therapy has helped me with exceptional professional services. Completely satisfied with their pro care and attitude. Thank y'all for everything! This experience has been a blessing I didn't know how much I needed. If I ever run into folks who may need your services, I won't hesitate to recommend you."

5 stars

Mark F.

Elite Physical Therapy Patient

"I feel blessed to have gone to Elite Physical Therapy and meet Marcus who taught me the basics to heal myself. My physical therapy has been a work in progress. It gave me the incentive to stretch my muscles and get my lower back in shape after spinal surgery. I now have more confidence to get back to normal activities as I did before I had my back problems."

5 stars

Ed J.

Elite Physical Therapy Patient

"My experience at Elite was very beneficial and enjoyable. The atmosphere was very congenial. The personnel was very pleasant. My therapy was very helpful. I recovered quickly and enjoyed all the exercises. I wholeheartedly recommend Elite to anyone who needs therapy services."

5 stars

Herbert B.

Elite Physical Therapy Patient

"After having bilateral knee surgery, I heard horror stories about rehab. Well, Elite Physical Therapy put those stories to rest. While it has been a challenge, they've been great at having it done the correct way for the best results. When I first arrived, I could barely lift each leg without help. Now I feel I am on my way to much more pain free way of life. I cannot THANK YOU enough for everything!"

5 stars

Joe M.

Elite Physical Therapy Patient

"Elite Physical Therapy is an exceptional PT clinic. My DPT was Julia. She is an awesome PT! She is very knowledgeable and very kind. She was always very informative and encouraging! I had an incomplete spinal cord injury and came to Elite under the excellent care! Julia told me that I will walk again and I SO needed to hear that! Even though I still have a long way to go, I will always hear her words!"

5 stars

Angela S.

Elite Physical Therapy Patient

"To My PT Team at ELITE, I would like to thank you for a job well done putting me back on the road to recovery after my total hip replacement. What an awesome job you guys have done! I could go on but it would have to be in the form of a book! THANK YOU!"

5 stars

James H.

Elite Physical Therapy Patient
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