Back Pain Q & A

What is back pain?

Back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints, affecting people of all ages. While some cases of back pain are acute and resolve with proper care, others become chronic, interfering with daily activities and quality of life. The team at Therapeutic Rehab Specialists specializes in diagnosing and treating back pain through innovative, non-surgical therapies designed to target the root cause of your discomfort and promote long-term relief.

What causes back pain?

Back pain can arise from mechanical issues, injuries, or degenerative conditions affecting the spine, muscles, discs, or nerves. Common causes include:

  • Muscle strain or ligament sprain – Often caused by poor posture, repetitive movements, or heavy lifting.
  • Trauma or injury – Accidents, falls, or sports injuries can damage soft tissue or spinal structures.
  • Herniated or bulging disc – Discs between the vertebrae may shift or rupture, irritating nearby nerves.
  • Degenerative disc disease – Wear and tear over time can cause pain and stiffness in the spine.
  • Arthritis – Inflammation of spinal joints can lead to chronic pain and stiffness.
  • Spinal deformities – Conditions like scoliosis or kyphosis can cause misalignment and discomfort.
  • Pinched nerve or spinal radiculopathy – Nerve compression in the spine can cause pain, tingling, or weakness in the back and limbs.
  • Sciatica – Compression of the sciatic nerve can lead to pain radiating from the lower back down the leg.

The Therapeutic Rehab Specialists team tailors treatment plans to address pain at its source, whether from an acute injury or an ongoing condition.

How are headaches linked to back pain?

Many people don’t realize that chronic headaches can stem from back and neck issues. Misalignment, tension, or nerve irritation in the cervical and thoracic spine can trigger tension headaches or cervicogenic headaches. Common ways back pain contributes to headaches include:

  • Poor posture – Slouching, forward head posture, or prolonged sitting can strain the muscles in the back and neck, leading to headaches.
  • Muscle tension – Chronic back pain can cause muscle tightness that radiates to the head and shoulders.
  • Nerve compression – Pinched nerves in the upper spine can lead to referred pain in the head.
  • Stress-related pain – Chronic pain increases stress, which can trigger tension headaches.

By treating underlying spinal dysfunction, we can help reduce headache frequency and intensity while also alleviating back pain.

What happens during a back pain evaluation?

At Therapeutic Rehab Specialists, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing back pain. Your evaluation includes:

  • A detailed consultation about your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history.
  • A physical examination to assess posture, range of motion, and movement patterns.
  • Neuromuscular and orthopedic tests to identify muscular imbalances or nerve involvement.
  • Imaging tests (X-rays, MRI, or CT scans) if needed to confirm a diagnosis.

This thorough assessment helps us create a personalized treatment plan that targets the underlying cause of your pain—not just the symptoms.

How is back pain treated?

Your treatment plan depends on the severity of your symptoms and the underlying condition. We focus on conservative, evidence-based therapies that promote natural healing and long-term relief. Treatment options may include:

  • Activity modification – Adjusting daily movements to prevent strain and further injury.
  • Pain management – Anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxers, or spinal injections if necessary.
  • Physical therapy – Targeted exercises to strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and correct posture.
  • Manual therapy – Hands-on techniques such as myofascial release, spinal mobilization, and soft tissue work.
  • Postural and ergonomic training – Teaching proper body mechanics for daily activities and work environments.
  • Supportive braces or orthotics – Providing additional support for spinal alignment and stability.

Rather than simply masking pain, our approach corrects the underlying dysfunction to ensure long-lasting relief and prevention of future issues.

Back Pain Prevention School

To help individuals and businesses reduce the risk of back pain, we offer our Back Pain Prevention School, a unique interactive training program focused on:

  • Workplace safety and injury prevention through ergonomic education.
  • Proper body mechanics and posture training for sitting, standing, and lifting.
  • Behavioral modifications to reduce strain and improve movement efficiency.
  • Personalized fitness programs tailored to job duties and physical demands.

Our program is customized for groups of 3 to 30 people, including employees, management teams, and health & safety professionals. By incorporating proven principles from sports science and ergonomics, we help individuals stay pain-free, productive, and injury-free.

You don’t have to live with back pain!

If back pain is affecting your quality of life, Therapeutic Rehab Specialists is here to help.