When should back pain be evaluated?
Consider an evaluation when pain persists, returns, or limits work, exercise, or daily movement. Seek urgent care for the emergency warning signs listed above.
Lower Back Pain That Won't Go Away: When to See a PT vs. Wait It Out
Is Your Back Pain Something to Worry About?
Most lower back pain isn't dangerous — but it also doesn't always get better on its own, and "just resting it" is one of the most common reasons back pain becomes chronic instead of resolving in a few weeks.
If your pain has lasted more than a week or two, keeps coming back, or is starting to limit what you can do at work or in the gym, that's usually the point where a proper assessment — not more guessing — makes the difference.
Common causes we see
Low back pain shows up for a lot of different reasons, and the right treatment depends entirely on which one is actually going on:
Muscle strain or overuse
Often from a workout, an awkward lift, or a sudden increase in activity.
Disc-related pain
Including bulging or herniated discs, which can cause pain that radiates into the leg.
Poor movement patterns
Compensations built up over months or years, common in both athletes and people who sit most of the day.
Sacroiliac (SI) joint irritation
Frequently mistaken for a disc issue, but treated very differently.
Postural and desk-related strain
Especially common in Miami's office and hybrid-work population.
Red flags: when to stop waiting
See a PT or physician sooner rather than later if you're experiencing:
- Pain that radiates down one or both legs, especially past the knee
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs or feet
- Pain that wakes you up at night or doesn't ease with rest
- Any loss of bladder or bowel control (seek emergency care immediately)
- Pain following a fall, car accident, or high-impact injury
How We Tell What's Actually Going On
A lot of lower back pain gets treated the same way regardless of cause — generic stretches, a heating pad, "give it time." The problem is that a disc issue, an SI joint problem, and a simple muscle strain all feel similar but respond to completely different treatment approaches.
In your first session, we do a hands-on movement and orthopedic assessment to identify the actual source of your pain — not just where it hurts, but what's causing it to hurt. That distinction shapes everything about your treatment plan, from which exercises we start with to how quickly you can safely return to lifting, running, or your sport.
Why This Happens at Your Home or Office, Not a Clinic
A traditional clinic visit gives you 15–20 minutes with a therapist who's also managing three other patients that hour. Because Equora comes to you, your assessment isn't rushed, and we can see how your pain actually shows up in the environment where it happens — your desk setup, your gym, your day-to-day movement — instead of just on a treatment table in a windowless room.
What to expect
- 01
In-home or in-office assessment — full movement screen and hands-on evaluation, typically 45–60 minutes
- 02
A clear explanation of what's causing your pain, in plain language
- 03
A personalized treatment plan, including hands-on treatment, targeted exercise, and a realistic timeline
- 04
Ongoing monthly movement analysis if you're on an Equora membership, so small issues get caught before they become big ones
Questions about low back pain
Can a physical therapist evaluate back pain at home?
Yes. An in-home evaluation can include movement and orthopedic assessment in the environment where symptoms occur.