Back pain is a commonly reported condition that can affect anyone. Therefore, it may come as no surprise that an estimated 65 million Americans report experiencing back pain per year. For many, the pain can be truly debilitating, limiting day-to-day activities and making it difficult to accomplish even the smallest of tasks. While back pain can occur for different reasons, it is important to take it seriously and seek treatment as it can potentially shorten your life.
Back pain can occur for many reasons ranging from pinched nerves to a strained muscle. For many dealing with back pain, the pain is persistent, or chronic and has been linked to shorter life expectancy. Pain triggers a stress response in the body which involves the release of the hormone cortisol. When cortisol is released, it produces a “fight or flight” response in which rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and even immune suppression occur. Chronic back pain leads to cortisol being released in the body on a regular basis. Therefore, chronic back pain can shorten your life by putting stress on your heart, affecting blood pressure levels and making it difficult for your body to heal itself.
Back pain can affect your life in other ways as well. Limited range of motion and persistent pain can make it difficult to get adequate exercise and sleep. Sufferers may also not socialize much because they find it difficult to get out and around. Less exercise, inadequate sleep, and lack of socialization can lead to depression and even higher stress levels.
While back pain can impede on your life for different reasons, there are ways to treat the pain so that you can live a longer, healthier life. Physical activity is a key preventative measure and can also be used to minimize back pain and heal damage.
The best way to learn how to heal back pain with physical activity is through physical therapy. At Farmingdale Physical Therapy East, our team uses extensive experience and a patient-focused approach to design a customized healing plan for your condition. We will tailor a specially designed exercise program to address your specific back condition to treat your pain both safely and effectively. Call Farmingdale Physical Therapy East today to treat your back pain and improve your quality of life!