How beneficial is physical therapy for a healthy spine? This article will teach you more about spinal pain (lower back pain) and the benefits of physical therapy for this condition.

What is spinal pain?

Spinal pain in the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) regions are quite common and frequent reasons for missed work days. Because of their weight-bearing role and participation in the movement, twisting, and bending, the lumbar and cervical spines are prone to strain. A lumbar muscular strain occurs when muscle fibers are strained or ripped unnaturally. A lumbar sprain occurs when ligaments — the tight bands of tissue that connect bones — are stretched abnormally. Both might be caused by a sudden accident or cumulative usage.

Symptoms of Spinal Pain

Below are some of the most common symptoms of spinal pain:

  • Stiffness in the lower back
  • Unable to maintain proper posture 
  • Muscle spasms 
  • Discomfort that lasts for up to 10-14 days 
  • Significant motor function loss

Physical Therapy For Low Back Pain Relief

Physical therapy can be a helpful treatment for various back pain symptoms. You may lessen discomfort and enhance function by improving your strength, endurance, and flexibility.

Also, physical therapy is highly recommended by doctors for spinal and lower back pain. Physical therapists, such as us here at Massage Rx, are experts in movement. They help enhance people’s lives by providing safe and effective hands-on treatment, patient education, and prescribed mobility. For your spinal pain or lower back pain, you can immediately seek an assessment from a physical therapist.

The physical therapist will conduct an in-depth examination, which, when paired with the doctor’s diagnosis, will determine a treatment plan tailored exclusively for people suffering from spinal pain. Pelvic traction, light massage, cold and heat treatment, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, and stretching exercises may be used in physical therapy.

Physical therapy for spinal or lower back pain is commonly used in the following ways:

  • Passive physical therapy: It includes things like applying heat to the patient, ultrasound, ice packs, massage and manipulation, and electrical stimulation.
  • Active physical therapy: It emphasizes specialized workouts and stretching. The objective of the physical therapy program for most lower back pain treatments is active exercise. 

Your physical therapist assesses your strength and the range of motion of your back or other body components. Therapy may involve the following, depending on your condition and needs:

  • Strengthening exercises
  • Training exercises
  • Training in correct lifting
  • Managing pain education
  • Pool therapy
  • Good posture education and training
  • Improving balance and avoiding falls
  • Training in endurance

Prevention Tips for Spinal Pain

The following tips/advice may help prevent spine or lower back pain caused by strain and sprain:

  • To improve spine stability, use crunches and other abdominal-muscle strengthening activities. Swimming, stationary biking, and brisk walking are all effective cardiovascular activities that place little strain on your back.
  • To move or lift an object, use proper lifting and moving procedures, such as squatting. If the object is excessively heavy, seek assistance.
  • Maintain proper posture while sitting and standing;
  • Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk of atherosclerosis (artery hardening), which can cause lower back discomfort and degenerative disc diseases.
  • Avoid stressful events as much as possible since they might induce muscular tightness.
  • Keep a healthy weight. Weight gain can place tension on the lower back.

Our fully licensed and certified physical therapists here at Massage Rx may design a program to match your individual needs. When you’re ready, we’ll assist you to move independent exercises! See our Youtube video here or contact us right away if you want to learn more!

×