Your back is especially prone to developing aches and pains due to its complexity and variety of structures. The back consists of the spine, which has 24 vertebrae, discs in between each vertebra that acts as shock absorbers, ligaments connecting bones, and muscles that help support the spine. All these components can become strained or injured due to everyday activities such as lifting heavy objects incorrectly or sitting for extended periods without taking breaks. Other common causes include poor posture habits over time, degenerative conditions like arthritis, and even stress-related tension in the back muscles.
One of the most common methods of treating back pain is physical therapy. There is a reason why this is part of almost every back pain treatment plan. Below, we will discuss how physical therapy helps relieve back pain.
Back Pain Relief with Physical Therapy
Here’s what a physical therapist will do when you go to them for back pain relief:
- Initial Assessment – Obtain a detailed patient history, assess the patient’s current level of functioning (range of motion, strength, and flexibility), develop a plan to address goals, as well as determine the frequency of physical therapy sessions needed.
- Manual Therapy/Soft Tissue Mobilization – Utilize hands-on techniques such as massage or joint mobilization to relieve muscle tension and restore normal tissue mobility.
- Strengthening Exercises – Prescribe exercises that target core muscles to increase strength around the spine for improved stability.
- Stretching Exercises – Provide stretching routines targeting tight musculature associated with low back pain.
- Postural Education and Ergonomics Training – Instruct patients on proper posture during activities, as well as how to properly set up workstations at home and work.
- Follow-Up Appointments – Monitor progress throughout the treatment program by assessing changes in symptoms and physical findings.
Here are some other effective modalities used by physical therapists to treat back pain that you may not be aware of:
Ultrasound Therapy
During this treatment, sound waves are used to penetrate deep into tissues, causing them to heat up, which helps reduce inflammation associated with chronic lower back pain conditions like sciatica or herniated discs by improving blood flow throughout affected areas.
Heat and Cold Therapy
Alternating hot and cold packs may be applied directly onto the painful areas of the back at home or during a physical therapy session. Temperature therapy provides temporary relief from discomfort caused by inflamed soft tissue and relieves pressure points along vertebral joints within the spinal column that may occur due to excessive force being placed upon them over time.
Electrical Stimulation
Low-level electrical currents are used during treatment sessions to stimulate the nerve fibers near the area of localized damage. These pulses cause muscle contractions, which can help loosen tightness in the back and reduce radiating symptoms down the leg, if applicable. This modality produces great results in patients suffering from lumbar disc problems, especially when combined with other physical therapy treatments, such as massage therapy.
If you are suffering from persistent back pain, we encourage you to explore physical therapy. There are many treatments that a qualified physical therapist can provide to help you return to the life you love. At H2 Health, all treatment plans are customized to the patient’s specific diagnosis. Modalities such as ultrasound, heat and cold therapy, and electrical stimulation are not appropriate for everyone with back pain. It’s important to consult with your physician or physical therapist before trying any treatment to ensure that it is the best choice for your specific condition.
Physical Therapy for Back Pain in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia
The team of health professionals at H2 Health regularly sees patients with neck and back pain. We often create comprehensive treatment plans that combine physical therapy, occupational therapy, and sports medicine to help achieve the desired results for patients. We see patients with back pain from disc herniation, spinal stenosis, arthritis, cancer, and much more. For senior patients, we offer in-home physical therapy services.
H2 Health has been providing the highest quality and most personalized physical therapy services across the United States for over 50 years. We offer a complimentary screening to determine if physical therapy can benefit your condition. We also make it affordable to receive physical therapy services and accept patients with no insurance.
To schedule your appointment, call our office today at (800) 699-9395, or use our convenient online request form.
