Recurring low back pain
Why does my back pain keep coming back?
What happens at my first visit?
Show me what happens when you stand from your usual chair. If it still tightens or locks up, we can change one part of that stand and see what your back does.
During treatment, we’ll check the movement again and use what changes to decide what to try next. [14]
Free 30- to 45-minute hands-on evaluation in Clovis. Choose whether to continue. One-on-one treatment is $200 per hour.
Near Willow and Nees in North Clovis · Open in Google Maps
What was different the last time it flared up?
Walk me through the last time it happened. Was it a longer drive? An afternoon in the yard? How long did it take to settle? Sleep and stress can matter, too. One study found that back pain often came back after people recovered. In another, a gradual walking program paired with education delayed flare-ups that got in the way of daily life. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Show me what getting out of the car looks like
Does it tighten when you turn to get your feet out, when you stand, or on the first few steps? Those are different moments. If we can bring on the feeling in the clinic, we can change one part of the movement and see whether the same stand feels any different.
What happened the next time you drove?
If bending feels easier here, I want to hear what happens the next time you pick up your kid or stand up after a drive. Did your back tighten at the same point? Did it settle sooner? That’s how we decide what’s worth keeping.
When a change in leg strength needs a closer look
Pain can make a leg feel harder to use. I look at what you can do, how it compares with the other side, and what has changed. If your foot has started catching or you’re losing strength in one leg, contact a medical clinician today. A strength and nerve check helps clarify what’s going on. [12]
Go to the emergency department if you develop new numbness around your genitals or anus, new trouble starting urination or controlling your bladder or bowels, new sciatica in both legs, or severe or worsening weakness or numbness in both legs. [5]
Frequently asked questions
I can lift at the gym. Why does my back lock up when I get out of the car?
I’d ask how long you were sitting and when your back starts to tighten. Show me the first stand after sitting. If we can get that same feeling here, we have a movement we can work with.
It felt better when I left. What should I notice on my next drive?
Pick a drive you already make. Notice when the discomfort starts and how the first few steps out of the car feel. A longer comfortable stretch or an easier first stand can give us something specific to discuss.
Why can I walk around the store but barely stand at the kitchen counter?
Tell me how long you can do each and what you do when the counter gets uncomfortable. We can compare standing still with a small shift of position and see whether the difference resembles what happens at home.
What if my back only tightens up at the end of the day?
Tell me what you were doing the last time it happened. We can look at a similar movement here, then use your usual evening to see if what we tried made a difference.
Why does my back hurt even though I do my exercises?
Your exercises may still be useful. They might need a different dose or a progression that gets you closer to the activities that still bring on pain. I look at what’s changed since you started and what still hasn’t. Clinical guidance supports tailoring exercise to the person and their goals. [6, 7, 8]
Do I need an MRI before physical therapy?
Most people with low back pain do not need routine imaging before starting care. Imaging may be appropriate if the exam raises concern about a serious condition or if the result would change your care. [9, 10, 11]
Is recurring back pain the same as sciatica?
Recurring back pain describes pain that keeps returning. Sciatica usually includes symptoms such as shooting pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness into a leg. The pattern helps guide what we examine.
What if I’ve already tried physical therapy twice?
Tell me what helped, what didn’t, and what you still can’t do comfortably. At the evaluation we can look at that task together and discuss whether another course of care makes sense.
Will you look beyond the sore spot?
Yes. I’ll check where it hurts and look at how you move around it. Sometimes the painful part is doing more work than it needs to. If we change something and your back still tightens on the same stand, I want to know that while you’re here.
My MRI shows a disc problem. Is physical therapy still an option?
It can be. Disc changes also show up on some scans of people without pain. I look at how the scan fits your symptoms, strength, and movement. I’ve worked with people who made progress with physical therapy after surgery had come up as an option. If your surgeon has recommended an operation, ask what the timing depends on and whether a trial of physical therapy is appropriate for you. [13]