PT Handbook: Back Pain Tips

Welcome! The PT Handbook is a physical therapy newsletter discussing all things physical therapy/sports medicine. This newsletter is an extension of our philosophy at Art of PT Sports Physical Therapy LLC where our patient population includes exercise lovers and the everyday athlete. We are a PT private practice that prides itself on providing true one on one service.

This handbook will provide practical PT tips and dive into hot topics surrounding the sports rehab world. If you have questions about the field of physical therapy or need to schedule an appointment (virtual/in person), contact us with the link below!

Dr. Gerry Robles PT, DPT

Founder, Art of PT Sports Physical Therapy LLC

www.artofpt.com

PT Handbook Conversation: A Different Way to Look at Back Pain

Ok back to my regularly scheduled ramblings on pain. The image above is one of my favorites, from the British Journal of Sports Medicine. So read over them, they are the UPDATED way of looking at back pain.

Anyway, I wanted to expand on back pain. The “Biopsychosocial” approach to back pain. Biopsychosocial meaning we take into account many different systems of the body. We look at the biological, psychological and social factors of pain. Pain is not just your bones and muscles/tissue damage, stop thinking that way.

Here’s 4 things to think about with the Biopsychosocial approach to back pain:

1. Biopsychosocial approaches to healthcare dismisses biological factors- It doesn’t mean we dismiss all the physical factors, we still incorporate tissue abnormalities/inflammation but we also take into account psychological and social factors as best we can. That way we can target the pain from every different healthcare angle if needed.

2. This DOES NOT mean “it’s all in your head” either- Psychological factors to pain are very real. Don’t equate consideration of psychological factors as if the pain is not real or you are a crazy person. It’s well studied and known that psychological factors such as stress, anxiety or fear of movement can amplify the pain experience. This does not mean we are invalidating the physical experience.

3. Integrating this into medicine and rehabilitation is not as hard as you think- Instead of thinking only mechanically and physically, as physical therapists we can advise patients and integrate simple strategies. For instance, we can promote activity to decrease fear, address certain beliefs, consider lifestyle habits and look at how we can change their environment. This can all cause a big impact on decreasing pain.

4. Thinking too “physically” or “mechanically” might cause a healthcare professional to say “rest is the best” for your back pain- The biopsychosocial approach and modern approach to physical therapy empowers the patient to continue with movement despite pain. Obviously, in a safe manner. It’s well researched now that prolonged rest can cause deconditioning/atrophy and kinesiophobia/fear of movement. Not good.

I can continue with this medical model all day but I better stop myself. Questions? Concerns? Have back pain? Let me know, I can help :)

Until Next Time,

Dr. Gerry Robles PT, DPT

Founder, Art of PT Sports Physical Therapy LLC

www.artofpt.com