Back pain is a common problem for many people. It can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain that interferes with everyday activities. Everyone has a different threshold for pain, but when the level of discomfort exceeds what you can handle, it’s time to take action.
Back pain can be the result of many different factors; some are more serious than others. If you have back pain with no apparent cause or trigger, it could be indicative of something more serious like cancer or another disease; however, this is rare. The good news is that many cases of back pain are temporary and can be improved through a combination of rest and other physical therapy treatments.
Whether you have chronic back pain or are recovering from an injury, there are many ways to manage your symptoms and enjoy pain relief, whether physical therapy or manual therapies. Here’s what physiotherapy treatment can do for back pain:
Understanding Back Pain
The first step in treating back pain is to understand what’s causing it. There are many potential causes of back pain, although not all are serious. You can divide back pain into two different categories. Acute pain lasts less than three months, while chronic pain lasts longer. Acute back pain is usually caused by a specific incident such as a fall, being in an accident, or lifting something heavy incorrectly. Chronic pain is less specific. It can come from a number of issues, including a pinched nerve in the back, arthritis, muscle strain, or poor posture.
Acute Back Pain
If your back pain is relatively new, you may be able to treat it with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen. These will generally provide temporary relief of acute pain.
Physiotherapy, done correctly, is another way to deal with acute back pain. A combination of physiotherapy treatments like heat, massage, and exercises can help ease your pain and let you get back to normal activities much sooner.
Those with acute back pain can also benefit from acupuncture, although it’s not as effective as other treatments. Spinal manipulation can also be used to relieve acute back pain. Generally, acute back pain is not a sign of something serious, but you should still seek professional medical attention if it lasts for more than a few days.
Chronic Back Pain
The longer your back pain lasts, the harder it is to treat. While acute back pain can be treated with a few different methods, chronic back pain is often much more difficult to treat. Fortunately, many treatments are still available and many are effective. You may benefit from visiting a physiotherapist near you who can create a custom treatment plan based on your specific pain, mobility issues, and needs. There are many different treatment methods used in physiotherapy for chronic back pain, including heat and ice, massage, exercise, and stretching. These treatments are often combined to maximize their effectiveness.
Physiotherapy Exercises for Back Pain
Exercises are an important part of any treatment program designed to treat or prevent back pain. Depending on the cause of your back pain, your physiotherapist will create a specific exercise regimen tailored to your needs. Exercises are often recommended as a treatment for back pain regardless of what caused it in the first place. Friendly reminder: You should always consult with a medical professional before beginning a new exercise program. While many exercises can help with back pain, your physiotherapist can tell you if there are some that you should avoid.
Stretching
Stretching is a very important exercise for people with back pain. It increases flexibility and reduces strain on your muscles, joints, and tendons. It can also help reduce your back pain by improving blood flow to the area, increasing your range of motion, and strengthening your core muscles.
Core Strengthening
People with back pain often have weak abdominal muscles. This can lead to posture issues and even back pain. Strengthening your core muscles can help improve your posture and reduce back pain. It can also improve your functional strength, which is particularly helpful if you need to lift heavy items.
Joint Mobilization
This exercise can help improve the mobility of your joints, including your spine. If your joints are stiff and immobile, you put yourself at a higher risk for injury. Regular joint mobilization can help reduce your risk of injury from back pain.
Aerobic Exercise
While aerobic exercise is often recommended for people with back pain, it’s important to make sure you’re doing it correctly. You don’t want to over-exert yourself, as this could make your back pain worse.
Weight Training
Weight training is an excellent way to reduce your back pain. It can build up your strength and improve your posture, which can help lessen back pain. It can also increase your strength in general, which is helpful if you need to lift something heavy.
Yoga
Yoga is a great way to reduce your back pain. It is particularly helpful for people with chronic back pain. It can improve your flexibility, reduce your stress levels, and improve your posture. And as a low-impact activity, yoga avoids the risk of further injury.
Other Treatments for Back Pain
Applying Heat or Cold
Applying heat or cold to your back can help reduce inflammation. It’s an essential part of any treatment program, particularly for those recovering from an injury.
Massage
Massage can help reduce your pain and improve your overall health. It can also help improve your blood circulation, which can reduce your risk of injury and improve your posture.
Neuro-linguistic Programming
NLP is a treatment method that’s highly effective for chronic back pain. It can help you change your thought patterns and re-program your responses to pain.
Acupuncture
While acupuncture may not be for everyone, it can be helpful for many people with back pain. It can improve blood circulation and reduce your pain.
The Final Word
There are many ways to treat back pain. Some of these treatments are designed to reduce inflammation, while others are designed to build up core strength and improve your posture. If you have back pain, it’s very important to always follow your physiotherapist’s recommendations. You can slowly start to decrease your pain medications, but you should never stop taking them abruptly. If your pain is severe, you may need to see a doctor who can prescribe stronger painkillers for you.
Physiotherapy allows you to get back to your daily activities and regular exercise routine faster. Give us a call at Niagara Health & Rehab Center. Our friendly, experienced staff can assess your injuries with an initial consultation and will be able to recommend the best course of action. Start your journey to pain-free living again today!