What is causing my inflammatory back pain?

Inflammatory Back Pain

Inflammatory, or nonmechanical, back pain is different from the back pain many people develop. In most cases, back pain is related to damage or issues with the structures of the spine. This type of pain is called mechanical back pain. 

Nonmechanical back pain isn’t triggered by damage to any of the back or spinal structures. It’s also much less common than mechanical back pain, and medical studies report that up to 6% of U.S. adults between 20 and 69 have nonmechanical back pain. There are several conditions that fall into the nonmechanical back pain category. A physical therapist can help you learn which issue is causing your inflammatory back pain. Additionally, these medical professionals can help you find effective treatment for your back pain. 

Two issues that commonly cause inflammatory back pain

Determining which issue is causing your nonmechanical back pain helps medical professionals treat it effectively. Two common types of nonmechanical back pain you might have include: 

  1. Ankylosing spondylitis — This is considered to be a type of arthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis typically causes pain that appears first in your lower back between the ages of 30 and 45. The pain tends to be worse when resting in one position for a while. Your pain is also likely to get better with exercise. 
  1. Psoriatic arthritis — Psoriasis is a skin condition that can also affect your joints. It can cause your body’s immune system to attack healthy tissue in your joints, which triggers inflammation. One area where psoriatic arthritis often first appears is the sacroiliac joints in the lower back.

What can physical therapy do to treat inflammatory back pain?

Since nonmechanical back pain tends to improve with movement, physical therapy can be an effective option for treating it. A few techniques that your physical therapist can use to help you are: 

Find help for your inflammatory back pain at SSOR

Looking for physical therapy that can help your inflammatory back pain? Our physical therapists at SSOR are prepared to help you treat your nonmechanical back pain. We’ll start by doing a free screening of your back to determine the severity of your symptoms. Then, our specialists will create a unique therapy plan for you that’s designed to: 

  • Reduce pain.
  • Improve spinal mobility and flexibility.
  • Increase your ability to do normal daily activities. 

Want to treat your pain from home? You can if you sign up for an at-home care or virtual therapy session with our team. 

Contact us today for more information about how we can help treat your back pain or to schedule an initial appointment.