Duffy & Bracken Physical Therapy, New York City

What We Treat > Lower Back

The area of signs and symptoms originating from the lumbar spine can present and radiate into the upper and lower back, buttock region, hip, knee, upper and lower leg, ankle and foot. It can also present symptoms into the stomach, groin and peroneal region (saddle region).

It can affect function such as sitting, walking, ascending and descending steps, lavatory function, coughing and sneezing, sleeping, bending and lifting.

If you have any signs and symptoms in these areas, a proper assessment and diagnosis is needed to treat your condition.

Diagnosis is your doctor's responsibility. Assessment and correct treatment is your physical therapist's responsibility.

Many diagnoses and differential diagnoses are assessed and treatable, such as:

Lumbar strains and sprains
Myofascial pain syndrome
Lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica)
Lumbar disc herniation and prolapse
Spondylitis (arthritis)
Spondylosis (degenerative disc disease)
Sacro-iliac arthritis (hip and pelvic pain)
Spondylolisthesis
Lumbar instability
Spinal canal stenosis (narrowing of the spine)
Hypomobility lesions (facet joint syndrome/stiff back/
Strains and sprains)

Further, a personalized ergonomic and home exercise program will be advised and instructed.

You have the right to see any physical therapist. A referral to Duffy & Bracken Physical Therapy can be obtained from your doctor. Please advise your doctor of our services.

Did You Know?

The lower back should have a gentle inward curve in it. The curves in the spine make it a good shock absorber in weight bearing like a spring. The five bones or vertebrae are shaped to maintain this curve and fit like a jigsaw puzzle. Sitting or doing activities (i.e. gardening, cleaning, shoveling) with the curve reversed strains the ligaments and discs, and causes wear and tear on the bones. The lower back is quite strong but weakest when combining bending and rotation and this is the most common cause of injury (i.e., leaning down to get something out of a drawer while sitting in a chair, shoveling, picking up luggage off a conveyor belt and throwing it on a cart). Correct your body mechanics by sitting with your buttocks all the way back in your chair with back support, bending with not only your knees bent but also your buttocks out maintaining the inward curve of your spine.