I Threw My Back Out — What Do I Do Now?

If you’ve ever stood up, twisted funny, or bent over and felt something in your back “go out”… you’re not alone.

At Vertex PT Specialists, this is one of the most common things we treat across our Columbia, Cayce, and Irmo clinics. The good news? It’s usually not as bad as it feels — and you don’t have to wait weeks to feel better.

What Does “Throwing Your Back Out” Actually Mean?

Most people describe it as a sharp, sudden back pain that makes it hard (or impossible) to stand up straight, twist, or even move. It often comes with:

• Muscle spasms
• Stiffness or locking
• Pain that shoots into the hip or glutes

This usually means something like:

• A joint in your spine is restricted or irritated
• A muscle has gone into protective spasm
• A disc is inflamed (not necessarily “herniated”)

Should I Rest or Move?

We get it — movement feels like the last thing you want to do. But the research (and our clinic experience) shows that gentle movement is one of the best things you can do.

• Short walks around the house (yes, even hunched over)
• Gentle supported stretches (within your limits)
• Avoiding long bouts of bedrest

Too much rest can actually make it worse. The goal is gradual reactivation.

Treatments That Work (Especially in the First 72 Hours)

At Vertex, we focus on getting you moving fast — safely and with as little pain as possible. Some of our most effective techniques include:

✅ Spinal Manipulation

Helps restore normal motion to stuck joints and reduce pain signals.

✅ Dry Needling

Releases tight, overactive muscles and relieves spasm without needing meds.

✅ Movement Prescription

We’ll guide you through tailored, strategic movements designed to help you start feeling better quickly. These aren’t generic stretches — they’re specific to how you’re moving (or not moving) and are chosen to be non-threatening, safe, and effective in reducing pain and restoring motion.

These work best when started within the first 72 hours of your injury.

When to See a PT

If you:

• Can’t straighten up fully after 24–48 hours
• Feel the pain worsening with time
• Are stuck in bed or missing work

…then it’s time to get seen.

At Vertex PT, all of our providers are Doctors of Physical Therapy who specialize in 1-on-1, personalized care. We’re proud to be the only in-network clinic in the area that provides 60-minute sessions with your PT — no techs, no groups, no shortcuts.

We’re in-network with Medicare, Tricare, and BCBS, and no referral is needed in South Carolina to start PT. We also offer affordable self-pay options and can provide superbills upon request if you’re using out-of-network benefits.

Where to Get Help

We treat patients at our:

• Downtown Columbia Clinic

• Cayce Clinic

• Irmo Clinic

Need us to come to you? Ask about our home physical therapy option in Lexington and Richland counties.

Final Thought: Don’t Panic, But Don’t Wait

Most thrown-out back injuries get better fast with the right care. Waiting it out and hoping for the best might delay your recovery by weeks.

Ready to feel like yourself again?
Contact us. Same-day appointments available.