Many people experience back pain, especially after periods of overindulgence such as the holiday season. According to Zack Crowl, a physical therapist and clinical coordinator at the St. Joseph’s/Candler Pooler Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, back pain is a widespread issue that can affect anyone.
“Back pain is something I see all the time. It’s very, very common,” Crowl said. “Unfortunately, anyone is prone to back pain. It’s not limited to just one set of patients.”
There are many causes for back pain including falls, improper lifting, or car accidents. However, excess abdominal fat may also contribute by altering posture and putting strain on the spine.
The human spine provides both strength and flexibility to support movement and weight distribution. When there is extra weight in the abdomen, it can shift the body’s center of gravity and increase pressure on spinal structures.
“Sometimes individuals who are a little bit heavy set and have more weight up front experience extra pull on the back,” Crowl explained. “It changes the center of gravity, puts some pressure on the back and irritates it a little bit more.”
Crowl noted that addressing excess belly fat through diet and exercise can help manage or prevent back pain without medication or surgery. He added: “Sometimes depending on the patient’s background and activity levels, being in good health overall can play a big role in it too. Typically those who are more active and maintain a healthy lifestyle, while they are still prone to back pain, they may handle it better and bounce back from it quicker.”
Physical therapy is another option for managing persistent or severe back pain. The St. Joseph’s/Candler Outpatient Rehabilitation Centers offer services such as individualized evaluations, one-on-one sessions, instruction in treatment methods for home use, and prevention tips.
Most physical therapy sessions last about 45 minutes and occur one to three times per week; duration depends on each patient’s needs. Therapy includes guidance on posture training and body mechanics for daily activities.
“We like to look at the person not just the diagnosis itself and see what’s going on with them and what other factors are playing a role too, especially in those individuals who’ve had back pain for quite a while,” Crowl said. “Some patients have had back pain for so long they start to avoid movements and move less and less because of the pain. We can guide and assist in that gradual return to doing some of those activities that were bothersome in the past to break through those barriers.”
A physician’s referral is required for physical therapy at St. Joseph’s/Candler Outpatient Rehabilitation Centers which operate at five locations: St. Joseph’s Hospital, Candler Hospital, Pooler, Rincon, and The Landings.
St. Joseph’s/Candler operates as a faith-based nonprofit health system focused on compassionate care across more than 30 counties in southeast Georgia and South Carolina Lowcountry (official website). The organization draws from its legacy starting with Georgia’s first hospital—Candler Hospital—and offers advanced medical services including cancer care, heart health programs, neurosciences expertise (official website), as well as community outreach programs tailored toward local wellness needs.
St. Joseph’s/Candler has earned recognition for nursing excellence through Magnet status (official website) while emphasizing comprehensive healthcare guided by faith-based values (official website).
