Physical Therapy

Back and neck pain are very common problems that cause people to seek medical care. Our highly- trained, experienced staff specializes in evaluating and treating the spine. The most common source of back or neck pain is mechanical pain. This means pain is brought on or made worse by certain movements or positions. This type of musculoskeletal pain responds well to intervention from skilled physical therapy. A licensed physical therapist can perform a thorough mechanical assessment and determine the best exercises to help alleviate your back or neck pain. Your therapist will assist you in making lifestyle changes that will allow you to function with less pain and difficulty. As part of your program, you will receive important education about relevant anatomy, posture correction, use of body mechanics and your tailored home exercise routine.

Specialty services available:

• Orthopedic Clinical Specialist American Physical Therapy Board Certification
• McKenzie Credentialed Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy
• Maitland Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapy

Diagnoses often referred to Physical Therapy:

• Degenerative joint disease (DJD)/arthritis
• Degenerative disc disease (DDD), herniated/bulging disc
• Sciatica
• Stenosis
• Sprain/strain
• Spondylosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction
• Lumbar/cervical radiculopathy

It is estimated that 70 percent of the population will experience significant back pain sometime in their life. When back pain occurs, up to 80 percent will need intervention from a professional to decrease or alleviate symptoms. Those who experience an episode of back pain that limits physical activity frequently develop recurring back pain. With these things in mind, back pain is a problem that should be taken seriously.

Neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability in the United States. It affects about 30 percent of the population annually. It is estimated that, of those with acute neck pain, 50 percent of people will seek medical care. The incidence of neck pain is slightly higher in females. Studies have shown that exercise is beneficial in easing and controlling neck symptoms.

For more information, contact St. Luke's Therapy Services at 314-205-6185.