Leave Your Back Pain Behind!

Are you tired of that nagging back pain that keeps you from enjoying life to the fullest? You’re in luck because we are here to guide you to a healthier spine! With a few little steps and our expert guidance, you will soon be on your way to a life where back pain is a thing of the past.

Your journey to a healthier spine is a collaborative effort. At Shoreline Physical Therapy, we believe in working closely with you, listening to your concerns, and understanding your goals. After all, who knows your body better than you do? Together, we can work to ensure a future free of back pain.

Sometimes, the discomfort in your back may seem like a constant companion, refusing to part ways with you. Fortunately, with the right guidance and effort, you can find a way to alleviate your pain. So, let’s take the first step on this promising journey together!

Understanding the Root Causes of Back Pain

The first step to saying goodbye to back pain is understanding what causes it. It might be due to a sedentary lifestyle, an old injury, or even just daily wear and tear. No matter the reason, understanding the root causes is your key to finding the solution.

The most common causes of back pain that our physical therapists frequently treat include the following:

Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain: Repeated heavy lifting or sudden awkward movements can strain the muscles and spinal ligaments. If you’re in poor physical condition, constant strain on your back can cause painful muscle spasms.

Bulging or Ruptured Discs: Discs, the cushioning between your bones, can bulge or herniate and press on a nerve.

Degenerative Disc Disease: As we age, the discs between the vertebrae deteriorate, which can cause pain, especially if one disc is worn down significantly.

Spinal Stenosis: This condition results from the narrowing of the spinal canal, putting pressure on the nerves and causing back pain.

Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that causes muscle stiffness and fatigue, including back pain.

Remember, it is always advised to consult with our physical therapist for personalized advice. We’ll work with you to identify the exact cause of your back pain and suggest appropriate treatments to ensure you get the results you deserve!

Simple Yet Effective Strategies: Your Road to a Healthy Spine Tailored Treatment Plan

At the beginning of your healing journey, you’ll meet with one of our physical therapists who are like detectives for your body. They’ll chat with you, learn about your pain, and do a thorough physical examination to determine what’s causing your back troubles.

Once they’ve gathered all the clues, they craft a personalized treatment plan just for you! This isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal; it’s tailored to suit your unique needs, helping you bounce back quicker and stronger and includes the following:

Manual Therapy: Your therapist uses their hands to gently mobilize your spinal joints, easing pain and helping increase motion.

Mobility Work: Your therapist will guide you through specific directional movements that help increase the mobility of your back as well as reduce pain with movement.

Targeted Stretches: Your therapist will show you the right ways to stretch, helping you loosen up those stiff areas and feel great.

Strengthening Exercises: With a series of strengthening exercises, your therapist will teach you how to build a strong, resilient back to handle the stresses of your day-to-day life.

Remember, your Shoreline Physical Therapy therapists are there with you at every step, cheering you on, answering your questions, and tweaking your plan to ensure you get the best results.

Ready to Wave Goodbye to Back Pain?

With personalized care and proven strategies, our dedicated physical therapists are here to guide you on your road to recovery. It’s time to reclaim the joy of living without the shadow of back pain looming over you.

Don’t let back pain dictate your life’s story. Reach out to Shoreline Physical Therapy to learn how physical therapy can be the first step towards a back pain-free life!

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“Jay and team at Shoreline are THE only physical therapy provider in Wilmington. I suffered from knee injuries and loss of cartilage for years which kept me in pain and considering some Orthos’ recommendations of getting a full knee replacement even in my 40s. After one visit, Jay diagnosed the pain issues and set me on a path for healing where I’m now pain free and living the active life I am supposed to be.” — Tom L.

Meet Susanne

Susanne L. Butler, PT

I began my professional career in Omaha, Nebraska at Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Physical Therapy Clinic, an outpatient orthopedic clinic. After 5 years in Nebraska, and my husband had completed his degree, we were ready for a change.

I feel I learned a lot from many great mentors over my five-year stay in Omaha. I also worked in acute care at the Bergan Mercy Hospital, gaining valuable experience with post-operative care of our patients and then seeing them through their outpatient rehabilitation.

Being originally from Canada, and not far from Lake Ontario and cottage country, my husband and I decided we needed to head to beautiful coastal North Carolina.

I am so excited and fortunate to be included on the team here at Shoreline PT, where they specialize in orthopedic, sports and spine rehabilitation. My aim is to offer my patients compassionate, comprehensive care with the goals of returning them to the activities they love, whether it be gardening, golfing, fishing, walking, running, kayaking, whatever their passion.

More about Susanne

Find out more about Susanne by visiting our website and be sure to check
out her video.

Treatment Spotlight

Electrical Stimulation

While it may sound a bit intimidating, electrical stimulation really isn’t at all! When used correctly and provided under the guidance of a licensed and skilled physical therapist, electrical stimulation is a safe and efficacious modality that can be used to treat a variety of conditions.

While individual units and modes of delivery can vary, the standard electrical stimulation device utilizes self-adhesive electrodes placed around the target treatment area on the body. These electrodes are connected via wire leads to the unit, through which electricity can pass and ultimately interact with sensory and/or motor nerves (depending on the type of current utilized).

What is Electrical Stimulation Used for in Physical Therapy?

Our clinicians at times utilize electrical stimulation in order to provide a variety of beneficial healing effects, including:

Reduce, eliminate, and/or control pain (both acute and chronic)
Increase local circulation
Decrease swelling

Improve range of motion
Reduce muscle spasm
Provide biofeedback (aka improve body awareness)
Improve motor coordination

Provide neuromuscular re-education
Prevent or reverse muscle atrophy (especially after prolonged immobilization, such as a limb being casted as a fracture heals)

While it’s not for everyone or safe to use on every body area, it can be used for a wide variety of conditions including acute sports-related or auto accident-related injuries, repetitive stress injuries, muscle strains, ligament sprains, and even neurological conditions including stroke.

To find out if electrical stimulation could help you, contact Shoreline Physical Therapy today!

Exercise of the Month

Lumbar Extension

Start by standing up straight. Place both hands on your lower back and press forward gently as you lean back to extend your back. Pause briefly. Repeat 3 sets, 10 reps each.