Don’t Ignore Your Lower Back Pain!
Are you someone who pushes through those mysterious aches and pains that crop up occasionally? Do you just assume your lower back pain will get better on its own? While this can work out, it’s not a guarantee. If you’re struggling with back pain, make an appointment with GTS Physical Therapy and seek the treatment you deserve.
Lower back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal ailments globally, with an estimated 80% of people experiencing it at some point. But just because it’s a common experience doesn’t mean it can’t cause complications: around 23% of the world’s population suffers from chronic back pain, pain that lingers for longer than three months.
The good news is that physical therapy can resolve most cases of back pain through techniques like manual therapy and therapeutic exercise — no surgery or dangerous pain medications are required. Even better, our therapists can often help you improve your back strength and mobility so your back functions better than before your injury.
But to get to that point, you have to take the first step and make an appointment with the physical therapists at GTS Physical Therapy.
Need a little extra push? Keep reading to learn why you shouldn’t ignore lower back pain.
Three Reasons to Seek Treatment for Lower Back Pain
- It could get worse. People develop lower back pain for all kinds of reasons. If you suffered a sudden injury, your pain might indeed resolve on its own. But sudden injuries aren’t the only cause of back pain. Many people will develop back pain due to prolonged sitting, which can contribute to a weakening of the core muscles that stabilize the spine — and puts undue strain on your lower back. Your pain will never fully resolve until you work to strengthen those muscles and address those postural issues.
- It could indicate a serious underlying condition. Not all back pain results from an injury or poor posture. Certain medical conditions, such as spinal fractures, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, can all cause back pain. If left untreated, your symptoms will get worse, and they might bring friends, such as restricted mobility or additional complications. Our team of physical therapists can help you determine the exact cause of back pain and suggest appropriate treatment methods. If you have developed a chronic condition, we can help you manage your symptoms and work with you to delay the disease’s progression.
- You deserve a pain-free life. Back pain may be common, but it can also be debilitating. Intense, persistent pain can keep you from staying active, which only worsens your symptoms and delays healing. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps you from fully enjoying your life. Rather than waiting for your pain to resolve, take a proactive approach with physical therapy. We’ll give you the tools to build strength, improve your posture, and get moving — so you can experience lasting back pain relief.
Exercise of the Month
Standing Lumbar Self-Traction
Stand near a countertop or sturdy surface. Place your hands on the edge and gently lean backward, allowing your spine to decompress. Hold briefly, then return to standing for gentle lower back relief.
How Does Physical Therapy Help with Back Pain, Anyway?
When it comes to back pain, movement is definitely the best medicine. Research repeatedly shows that regular exercise can reduce back pain and keep it from occurring.
The problem is that exercise might feel like an impossibility when you’re in pain. That’s why physical therapy is such an excellent treatment option: we make movement the center of our treatment.
Once you’ve decided not to ignore your back pain, give GTS Physical Therapy a call. Here’s what we’ll do to help you find relief:
- Find the cause. Our in-depth physical assessments will help us identify precisely why you’re experiencing back pain, allowing us to develop a customized treatment plan.
- Manage pain. We offer several drug-free techniques for managing pain so you can get moving again. Manual therapy, gentle mobilization exercises, and pain-relieving modalities can get you started.
- Get moving. We’ll provide a tailored exercise program that suits your needs, interests, and ability levels. We can also help you strengthen your core muscles, ensuring your spine is well supported.
- Prevent future pain. We’ll also help you avoid future incidences of back pain by instructing you on proper lifting techniques or offering ergonomic suggestions for your workspace.
Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7186678/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32669487/, https://www.physio-pedia.com/Low_Back_Pain
Today’s the Day to Stop Ignoring Your Back Pain!
Want to take action? The first step is simple: call GTS Physical Therapy to schedule an initial consultation. Then wave your back pain goodbye as you embark on a journey to long-term relief!
Workshops for August and September
Neuropathy at all clinics
August 19th at 4:00 PM
Rotator Cuff at all clinics
September 16th at 4:00 PM
Community Outreach at the Fulton County Fair
Callen, PT, DPT, a treating therapist at GTS Physical Therapy in Salem, represented GTS at the Fulton County Fair on Wednesday, July 16. She was available at the GTS booth to answer questions from community members and share information about the wide range of physical therapy services GTS offers. This outreach effort reflects our continued commitment to educating and supporting the communities we serve.
GTS Physical Therapy Participates in Red, White & Blue Festival
GTS Physical Therapy was proud to take part in this year’s Red, White & Blue Festival in Mountain Home. Team members Lance, Jennette, Emily, Jennifer, and Quade represented GTS during the morning festivities by hosting our informational booth, connecting with community members, and sharing resources on physical therapy services.
Later in the day, we partnered with the Mountain Home Cornhole League to host our annual GTS Cornhole Tournament. The event was a great success, raising a total of $640, which was donated entirely to the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce in support of the Red, White, and Blue Festival.
We’d like to extend our congratulations to the tournament winners:
- 1st Place: Mike Rose & Spencer Simpson
- 2nd Place: Dennis Carter & Shane Cagle
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the day a memorable one. We’re proud to support and strengthen our hometown through events like these!
Employee of the Month
Tony Bruzzichesi, PTA
Tony was born and raised in Cotter, AR, and lives with his wife, Jessica, and two children, Noah and Adaline. He Graduated with his Master’s Degree in Athletic Training in 2015 from the University of Arkansas and from the Physical Therapy Assistant Program with an Associate of Applied Science from Arkansas State University, Mountain Home in 2021. Tony enjoys spending time outdoors with his friends and family, loves sports, and is an avid hunter and fisherman.
“He’s dedicated to his patients and GTS. He’s always in a good mood and is a great team player. He does everything he can to build my caseload. He’s awesome to work with!” – Nominated by Brooke Maycunich, COTA
GTS Hosts Balance Workshop at West Plains Senior Center
Brandyn, PT, DPT, a treating therapist at GTS Physical Therapy in West Plains, MO, recently led an educational workshop on balance at the West Plains Senior Center. The event welcomed 29 participants who engaged in an informative session focused on identifying and addressing balance issues. Attendees actively participated by asking questions and interacting with Brandyn and his team, making the workshop a valuable and engaging experience for all involved.
Sitting is the New Smoking: 3 Tips For Staying Active
Think about your typical day. How much of it is spent sitting? If you’re like most people, the answer is–a lot. We sit at our desks for work. We sit in a car to run errands. We sit on the couch to watch TV at night.
All this sitting is having a big impact on our health. In addition to contributing to back pain, prolonged sitting raises our risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
Fortunately, you don’t have to train like an Olympic athlete to counteract the negative effects of sitting–all it takes is a few simple tweaks to your day!
- Tip 1: Take frequent breaks. If you have a desk job, set a timer to remind you to get up every 30 – 60 minutes to move around. Take a few minutes to grab some water, walk around the office, or stretch.
- Tip 2: Stretch while you watch TV. If you love to relax in front of the TV, incorporate some stretches as you watch your favorite shows.
- Tip 3: Pick up a new hobby. Movement-based leisure activities are a great way to incorporate movement into your day–and you aren’t limited to sports, either. Gardening, dance classes, and walking groups are all excellent options.
Want to learn more about the risks of sitting–and how to avoid them? Schedule an appointment with GTS Physical Therapy today!
Congratulations to Our July Winner
A big congrats to Leah Carter Blevins, our July GTS Hometown Strong Giveaway winner! 🏆👏 Thank you for being a part of the GTS family—we’re proud to support our strong and resilient communities!
Want to be our August winner? Here’s how to enter:
✅ Like our Facebook page
🔁 Share this post
👥 Tag 3 friends in the comments
You could be the next Hometown Strong Giveaway winner! 💪
Let’s keep celebrating strength, support, and community—together.
GTS Physical Therapy at the Old Soldiers Reunion
On July 16th, Callen, Kelly, and Breann from GTS Physical Therapy – Mammoth Spring proudly represented our clinic at the Old Soldiers Reunion in Mammoth Spring. They spent the day connecting with community members and sharing information about the services we offer. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the GTS booth!
