Does resting not help your back pain go away? Does your lower back pain decrease when you get up and move around a bit? If you answered yes to these questions, then you might have an issue called inflammatory, or nonmechanical, back pain.
Most people who develop lower back pain have mechanical back pain, and this type of pain is caused by something in the spine being injured or damaged. Nonmechanical back pain isn’t caused by damage or injuries. It’s reported that nonmechanical back pain affects up to 6% of the U.S. population between the ages of 20 and 69. Physical therapists can help you learn the cause of your inflammatory back pain, and they can work with you to effectively reduce your pain as well.
These three issues are the most common sources of inflammatory back pain
There are three issues that commonly lead to nonmechanical back pain:
- Sacroiliitis — This condition occurs when the sacroiliac joints between the lower spine and pelvic bones are inflamed. Sacroiliitis is often caused by traumatic impacts to the lower back and natural wear and tear on the sacroiliac joints.
- Psoriatic arthritis — This type of arthritis occurs in people who have a condition called psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis happens because the immune system begins attacking healthy cells in the joints. Both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis tend to run in families.
- Ankylosing spondylitis — Also called Bechterew disease, this condition is a type of inflammatory spinal arthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis pain often begins in the lower back and buttocks. The symptoms of this condition tend to gradually spread to other parts of the body.
How can physical therapists help treat inflammatory back pain?
Many types of inflammatory pain respond well to movement therapy, and that’s one of the specialities of physical therapists. Some of the techniques your therapist can use to help with your nonmechanical back pain include:
Find treatment for your inflammatory back pain at Whatcom Physical Therapy
Not sure where to turn for effective nonmechanical back pain treatment? Our specialists at Whatcom PT can help you find effective treatment for your pain. We can perform a free screening to help pinpoint the cause of your pain. In addition, our physical therapists are adept at building customized therapy plans designed to reduce pain and improve your mobility. You’ll even be able to work with our therapists right from your own home by signing up for a virtual therapy appointment with us.
Contact our team today for more information about all the types of back pain we can treat or to schedule an initial appointment.
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