Back pain is extremely common—in fact, it is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting nearly 80% of adults at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, many people ignore their back pain until it becomes debilitating. Ignoring early symptoms often leads to more severe, harder-to-treat conditions later on.
In this blog, we’ll explore the causes of back pain, common conditions, and effective back pain treatments available at our Midland and Freeland physical therapy clinics.
Causes of Back Pain
There are many possible causes of back pain. Some of the most common include:
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Sprains and Strains – Muscle strains and ligament sprains are common when overdoing everyday movements. Stretching your muscles too far, lifting something too heavy, or performing repetitive movements can all lead to injury and pain.
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Degenerative Disc Disease – As we age, the discs in our spine naturally degenerate. Because discs act as shock absorbers, degeneration can lead to pain, stiffness, and sometimes herniated or bulging discs.
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Herniated Disc – A herniated disc occurs when the soft, jelly-like center of a spinal disc pushes through a weak spot in the disc wall. This can compress nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or tingling.
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Bulging Disc – A bulging disc happens when a disc flattens and protrudes outward, placing pressure on the spinal canal and nerves. This often results in pain and discomfort similar to a herniated disc.
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Arthritis – Arthritis can lead to cartilage loss, inflammation, and joint degeneration in the spine, causing stiffness and chronic back pain.
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Spinal Stenosis – Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows, limiting space for nerves and creating compression that leads to pain and restricted movement.
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Sciatica – Sciatica is a painful condition in which irritation of the sciatic nerve causes burning pain that radiates from the lower back down the legs. Sciatica is often a symptom of underlying conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis. Research shows that up to 40% of people experience sciatica at least once in their lifetime.
Back pain relief at Midland Sports Rehab and Freeland Sports Rehab
Physical Therapy for Back Pain in Midland & Freeland
Instead of relying on potentially harmful pain medications or considering invasive surgeries too soon, many patients are finding relief with physical therapy in Midland, MI and Freeland, MI.
Physical therapy is a safe, natural, and highly effective way to relieve back pain. Whether you are struggling with sciatica, herniated or bulging discs, arthritis, spinal stenosis, or muscle strains, our expert physical therapists at Midland Sports Rehab and Freeland Sports Rehab can help you achieve long-term pain relief.
When you visit one of our clinics, you’ll be evaluated by a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). We’ll discuss your symptoms, pain history, lifestyle, and health background to create a personalized back pain treatment plan.
Your treatment plan may include:
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Targeted Exercises – Strengthening exercises build a stable spine, improve movement mechanics, and help prevent future injuries.
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Stretching Programs – Guided stretching improves flexibility, mobility, and joint health while reducing stiffness and pain.
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Manual Therapy – Hands-on techniques performed by our therapists relieve muscle tension, restore mobility, and improve spinal alignment.
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Therapeutic Modalities – Treatments such as dry needling, cupping, scraping, KT taping, heat and cold therapy, and more can accelerate recovery and reduce pain.
Physical Therapy at Midland Sports Rehab and Freeland Sports Rehab in Midland, Freeland, Saginaw
Why Choose Physical Therapy for Back Pain Relief?
Physical therapy in Midland and Freeland is considered a first-line treatment for back pain. Instead of masking pain with medications or rushing into surgery, physical therapy provides a non-invasive, long-term solution. By focusing on the root cause of back pain through strengthening, mobility work, and manual therapies, our patients experience improved function, reduced pain, and better quality of life.
Start Your Journey to Pain-Free Living Today
If you’re struggling with back pain, sciatica, arthritis, or disc problems, don’t wait until the pain becomes debilitating. Our Midland and Freeland physical therapy clinics are here to help you find lasting back pain relief.
📞 Call us today to book an appointment and start your personalized treatment plan with one of our experienced physical therapists. Together, we’ll help you move better, feel stronger, and get back to doing the things you love—without pain.