We understand the complexity of back pain and the importance of effective communication between therapists and clients. We are excited to introduce our new printable body map, as a visual tool designed to enhance communication and understanding with your clients.
With the printable body map, your customers can visually pinpoint areas of pain, tension, or discomfort, facilitating accurate treatment planning.
Make the most of the card provided along with this comprehensive guide to effectively explain the most common types of back pain and their respective treatment approaches.
Here are 7 of the most common back pain types:
- Upper back pain: Upper back pain typically refers to discomfort or pain in the thoracic spine region, the area between the base of the neck and the bottom of the ribcage. It can be caused by muscle strain, poor posture, spinal issues, or underlying conditions.
- Middle back pain: This pain refers to discomfort or pain in the middle region of the back between the neck and lower back. It can be caused by muscular strain, poor posture, thoracic herniated discs, osteoarthritis, scoliosis, trauma or injury, and poor ergonomics.
- Sacroiliac joint pain: The sacroiliac (SI) joints are located on either side of the lower back, connecting the sacrum to the pelvis. Pain in the sacroiliac joints can result from inflammation, injury, or dysfunction, leading to discomfort in the lower back, buttocks, or hips.
- Lower back pain: Also known as lumbago, is one of the most common types of back pain. It affects the lumbar spine, which is the lower portion of the back. It can be caused by muscle strain, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or mechanical issues.
- Sciatica: This pain radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and down each leg. It is often caused by a herniated disc or compression of the nerve roots, leading to sharp or shooting pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the lower back, buttocks, and legs.
- Intervertebral disc pain: Intervertebral discs are the cushion-like structures between the vertebrae. When these discs degenerate, herniate, or become injured, they can cause pain. Disc-related pain can manifest as localized back pain or radiating pain all over the back depending on the specific disc affected and the involvement of nearby nerves.
- Cervical (neck) pain: It affects the neck region and can be caused by various factors, including muscle strain, whiplash injuries, cervical herniated discs, or degenerative conditions. It may result in neck stiffness, limited range of motion, headaches, or radiating pain into the shoulders or arms.
It’s important to remember that these types of back pain may overlap, and multiple factors can contribute to a customers back pain.
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