According to the American Physical Therapy Association, low back pain is the most commonly reported in the United States. One in every four Americans has experienced low back pain in the last three months.

What is our approach?

Our Sherwood and Bethany physical therapists at Evolve Physical Therapy will determine the cause of the low back pain you are experiencing, so they can help you provide long-term relief. In many cases, our treatments may even eliminate the need for potentially harmful painkillers like opioids or invasive surgical procedures.

Low Back Pain vs. Sciatica

Do you ever wake up with low back pain? While low back pain and sciatica can present with similar symptoms, they also have differences that are frequently misunderstood. Low back pain is most commonly felt in the lower back and pelvis. Sciatica can cause pain to radiate from the low back and down the buttocks, thighs, and into the legs.

If you wake up with back pain or have noticed pains in your low back, buttocks, legs, or feet, call, text, or email us to request an appointment in either Sherwood or Bethany to be seen in less than 48 hours!

Disc degeneration is present in:

40

of individuals under the age of 30

90

of those aged 50 to 55 years

Low Back Pain Injuries We Treat

auto accident physical therapy

Sciatica

Sciatica refers to pain caused by the sciatic nerve in your lower back, hips, buttocks, and down each leg to the feet. Pain can be from mild to a sharp or intense burning sensation from the lower back and down to the leg(s).

Evolve Physical Therapy In Sherwood

Muscular Strains

A muscular strain for the low back is often described as dull and achy with a generalized sore and tight sensation. The symptoms may be experienced no one side or both sides of the low back.

shoulder and neck pain

Ligament Sprains

A ligament sprain for the low back can occur from stretching or tearing the ligaments in the lumbar spine, sacrum, or pelvis. This injury is often the result of a sudden, awkward movement or overuse with poor posture with repetitive movements.

Herniated Discs

A herniated disc (bulging or ruptured disc) is when one of the discs in the spine tears or ruptures. It can occur anywhere on the spine, irritating the rest of the spine and nerves within. Symptoms can result in pain or weakness.

man with knee pain

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is when one or more discs in the spinal cord’s vertebrae deteriorate. This disease is a common age-related condition. Common symptoms are muscle spasms, pain, and weakness in your back, but may also spread to the neck, shoulder, arm, or hands.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis narrows the spinal canal’s space, pressuring the nerves throughout the spine. It is common to feel pain, muscle weakness, or numbness in the lower back, neck, and shoulder.

Annular Tears

An annual tear results when the intervertebral disc’s outer layer (annulus fibrosus) has been torn. The tearing can allow the jelly-like inner layer (nucleus pulposus) to rupture, causing additional pain and symptoms.

Fractures and Stress Fractures

While fractures are clean breaks, a stress fracture is a small crack or severe bruising of a bone. Stress fractures occur when your muscles become tired and cannot absorb the shock from activity. Pain is the most common symptom of a fracture, along with tenderness and swelling.

Degenerative Joint Disease

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), or osteoarthritis, is the most common type of arthritis caused by the wear-down of the cartilage of the joints. The symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of flexibility.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is the abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, and surgery often occurs if the curvature is large enough. There is often a visible change in posture with uneven shoulders and waist, and one side of the rib cage is more prominent, which is more noticeable when bending forward.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis occurs when a lumbar vertebra is shifted forward relative to the vertebra below. Symptoms can include pain; if the shifting is too far, leg pain and numbness can occur. In more severe instances, corrective surgery may be needed.

Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis is a fracture in the pars interarticularis that often occurs from repetitive stress, such as back bending. Initially, symptoms are experienced in the low back and can progress to buttock and leg symptoms. Without proper management, spondylolysis can result in spondylolithesis.

Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to fuse two or more vertebrae. It reduces pain and helps with weakness, instability, and deformities. It can also relieve herniated discs.

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Learn More about Neck, Back, and Spine Pain & Injuries 

Our team of clinicians and Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Specialists personally write articles in their fields to help educate and guide you! Here are our articles related to neck back, and spine pain & injuries:

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Sherwood

P: (971) 213 – 3335

F: (971) 213 – 3389

Bethany

P: (971) 979 – 0979

F: (971) 979 – 0997