Recurring low back pain
Why does my back pain keep coming back?
Free 30- to 45-minute evaluation in Clovis, serving Fresno and Clovis. If you choose follow-up treatment, it’s $200 per hour. See evaluation times
What can a flare-up tell us?
A flare-up can follow a change in what you ask of your back, such as a longer drive or a full afternoon in the yard. Sleep, stress, and how sensitive the area feels can also matter. I’ll ask when it starts, what helps it settle, and how long it takes before you feel like yourself again. A prospective study found that low back pain often returned after recovery. In a separate trial, a gradual walking program combined with education delayed recurrences that limited activity. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bring the movement you want back
If the issue is getting out of your car, I want to hear about the drive and the first few steps afterward. In the clinic we might look at how you turn and stand from a seat, and compare what changes when we adjust the height or foot position. That gives us a starting point we can check against your next drive.
How we judge whether it’s helping
A bend that feels easier during treatment is useful information. I also want to know how long you can drive, whether you can pick up your kid more comfortably, and what the next day feels like. Those are the changes that tell us whether the plan is carrying over.
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 catch when I get out of the car?
I’d ask how long you’ve been sitting and when the catch happens. Then we can compare standing from a chair with and without a small change in support. Your gym lift and the first stand after a drive give us two different things to check.
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 the catch only happens after a long day and you can’t see it in the clinic?
I’d ask you to describe the last time it happened, including where you were and what you did right before. We can pick a comparable task in the clinic and use your usual evening routine to see whether anything carries over.
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 listen to what happened the last few times your pain came back and ask what prior treatment changed. If we choose standing from a chair as a test, I’ll repeat it after a change in treatment and ask what you feel. If your back still catches the same way, we can change course during the visit.
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]