Physical Therapy for the Lower Back: How to Prevent and Treat Lower Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common causes of work-related disability and why some people lose their jobs. It is also the second most common neurological disease in the United States, second only to headaches. In fact, about 80% of adults in Western countries, at some point, experienced lower back pain.

For some lucky people, low back pain can be solved by itself or with the help of drugs within two to four weeks. However, there are some cases of low back pain that can last more than a few weeks, in this case, the condition is termed as "chronic" and "progressive", which means it can only get worse with the time.

In addition, 60-80% of patients with their first episode of low back pain may experience recurring pain in the year.

According to current research, there are certain muscles in the back that work to stabilize the spine. When the spine or back is injured, these muscles are inhibited or reflection. Worse, these muscles do not recover spontaneously, and this is true even if patients do not feel pain and are able to return to normal activity levels.

Due to the inhibition of these muscles, called lumbar multifidus and transverse abdomen, lower back pain occurs. However, there are steps you can take to prevent the same thing happening to you.

Low back pain and physiotherapy

One way to prevent the inhibition of the lumbar multifidus and transverse abdomen through a series of physiotherapy exercises.

Designed to strengthen the muscles of the lower back and keep the spine healthy, these physical therapy exercises may range from stabilization exercises for the back to develop muscle strength and more variety of techniques.

In addition, a physiotherapist may also recommend such methods as heat therapy, ultrasound, massage, mobilization and education on posture and body mechanics to prevent recurring back pain.

Some of these methods are discussed below. You will also find some tips self-help provided by experts to help prevent low back pain or prevent the condition from worsening.

However, before we started to learn the back pain is treated with physical therapy, it is important to first understand what causes pain in the lower back.

Low back pain: Causes

There are actually many types of back pain, but the most common is pain in the lower back. Why? You might ask. The reason is simple: you carry most of your weight on your lower back. Therefore, it is likely that a person suffers pain in this region.

There is no definitive cause of pain in the lower back. Sometimes the causes of the disease are so complex that it is difficult to point to one.

However, physiotherapists and other health professionals have observed that back pain is often the result of strained back muscles and ligaments due to one of the following activities:

or bad posture

or lifting heavy objects

or sudden ill at ease movement

or a muscle spasm

or stress

We could all be guilty of the aforementioned activities. We can not suffer any back pains now, but it is likely that we age and the degree of inhibition of the back muscles as a result of these activities increases, back pain becomes a distinct possibility.

In addition to these joint activities, pain in the lower back can also result from specific conditions, such as:

or herniated disc (when disc material presses on a nerve)

or sciatica (when a herniated disc presses on the sciatic nerve. The condition causes sharp, shooting pain through the buttocks and back of the leg.)

or spinal stenosis (when the space around the spinal cord and nerve roots shrinks. This is caused by arthritis or the proliferation of the bone, pain resulting from a pinched nerve when in the narrow space .)

or osteoarthritis (a type of arthritis that affects the spine due to degenerative changes caused by aging)

or spondylolisthesis (when one vertebra slips forward on another)

Treatment of pain in the lower back

The treatment of back pain depends on several factors, including the specific types of pain (chronic or acute) low back and the suspected cause.

For example, acute back pain is treated with medications to relieve pain, such as analgesics, or some forms of exercises that can help relax the muscles.

On the other hand, chronic back pain - or one that lasts more than two weeks and is progressive - can be caused by an underlying disease, in this case, the treatment plan may consist resolution to treat the disease sub underlying backache.

Lower Back Pain and exercise

Exercise of physical therapy is one of the most common methods of treatment of pain in the lower back. In fact, many home remedies for lower back pain consist of exercise, since the general theory is that if you stay active you stay healthy. This is true in most cases.

However, for the purposes of this article, the exercises listed here are those practiced by physiotherapists to treat patients with low back pain.

In general, physical therapy exercises, the exercise program for back pain should include a series of stretching exercises, strengthening exercises and low-impact aerobics. Read below for more information on these exercises:

Drawing

The back of a person consists of the spine and adjacent muscles, ligaments and tendons. All of these are designed to move in line with each other so that limits the range of motion in any of these components resulting in back pain.

Stretching for lower back pain specifically target soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments and tendons, which are located at the rear and around the spine. By stretching, they mobilized to the vertebral column and soft tissues, increasing the pain and therefore the movement.

There are many types of stretching exercises employed by physical therapists. One exercise is stretching hamstring that works to relax the hamstrings, a common symptom of pain in the lower back. This exercise is said to help reduce the severity of back pain in sufferers.

-Strengthening

Physiotherapists generally use two forms of exercises to relieve pain and strengthen your back, usually based on the patient's specific condition. These are the McKenzie exercises and dynamic lumbar stabilization exercises. However, both forms of strengthening exercises may also combine the therapist should consider appropriate to do so.

-McKenzie Exercises

The name of a physical therapist in New Zealand, the McKenzie exercises are primarily extension exercises that could help reduce pain generated from the disc space and can also help reduce the symptoms of herniated disk in reducing pressure on a nerve root.

For acute pain, McKenzie exercises should be performed frequently, at least once every two hours. In addition, patients are advised to avoid flexing their spine in the exercise.

-dynamic lumbar stabilization exercises

The use of this technique for the year back, the first thing a therapist does is search the spine "neutral" of the patient. This refers to the position which allows the patient to feel more comfortable.

Then, when the patient is in position, the back muscles are then exercised to "teach" the spine how to stay in this position.

Performing these exercises regularly can help strengthen back muscles and keep the spine in a good position.

Low impact aerobics

The purpose of low impact aerobic exercise is to recondition the back. Patients who undergo reconditioning of the back through low impact aerobic exercise have less pain episodes lower back.

In addition, each time an episode of back pain occurs, pain is less intense and lasts only for a short time.

Another benefit of low impact aerobic exercise is that patients tend to stay functional - that is, they can continue with their regular work and recreational activities continue. However, patients who undergo low impact aerobic exercises typically experience progressive loss of functional ability.

For low impact aerobic exercises to achieve results, they must be continuous. This will increase the heart rate and keep it elevated and to increase the production of endorphins which are fighting against the pain hormones released by the body.

Examples of low impact aerobic exercise that you can try to lessen or reduce lower back pain:

-Walking

One of the simplest forms of aerobic exercise, walking is generally considered very gentle on the back. To get the maximum benefits of walking as a form of low impact exercise aerobics, walk two to three miles three times a week.

Bike -Stationary

This form of aerobic exercise is less painful on the back because it is produced less impact. This is beneficial for patients with low back pain who may find walking too painful.

-water Therapy

Sometimes called aqua therapy, water treatment simply exercising in water. Buoyancy works to provide effective conditioning while stress in the back is reduced.

What Is Causing My Lower Back Pain?

Back pain is one of the main reasons why people in the United States visiting their doctors. The lives of millions of Americans this year will be inhibited. In fact, an average of four out of five adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives. So the question, "What is the cause of my back pain?" He is not uncommon.

Back pain can be excruciating. It can be caused by a variety of injuries and conditions including:

* Lower back muscles can be stretched

* The discs between the vertebrae may be injured

* Large nerve roots that extend the arms and legs can be irritated

* The small nerves innervating the spine in the lower back can be irritated

* Joints, ligaments, bones, or may be damaged

When back pain occurs with other symptoms such as fever and chills, severe medical condition may be present. You should see a doctor immediately.

Three categories of low back pain

His fall lower back pain in one of three categories, including his doctor bases his description of the pain.

1. Axial back pain - back pain or simple mechanical

2. radicular low back pain - sciatica

3. Low back pain with referred pain

1. Axial lower back pain

Axial low back pain is the most common of the three. He felt alone in pain in the lower back that radiates to other parts of the body. Sometimes he called mechanical back pain and simple backache.

* Description: Axial back pain can vary widely. It can be sharp or dull, constant or intermittent. On a scale of 1-10, it is possible to assess its full increase intensity # 1 or # 10 can with a certain activity - playing tennis, for example. It may be worse in certain positions - such as sitting at a desk. It may or may not be relieved by rest.

* Diagnosis: Axial back pain can be diagnosed by you rather than your doctor. You know it started when you were helping a friend move a heavy sofa. Moreover, it is possible that your doctor determines that you have stretched or damaged back muscles otherwise degenerate disk, etc.

* Treatment: The cause of axial low back pain does not matter when it comes to treatment. You will need to rest for a day or two. Follow this with exercises for back pain and gentle stretches. If you have more pain after exercise, use a heating pad on low or medium setting. Take the adequate medication OTC pain. Follow your doctor's advice.

* Forecast: Symptoms of axial low back pain go away over time, and about 90% of patients recover within four to six weeks. If you do not feel better within six to eight weeks, tests and / or injections you may need to diagnose and treat the source of the additional pain.

* Note: If the pain is chronic, serious or if you wake up during the night, see your doctor.

2. radicular low back pain

Radicular low back pain is commonly known as sciatica. He felt in the lower back area, thighs and legs.

* Description: lumbar radicular pain often starts in the lower back, then follows a specific nerve pathway in the thighs and legs. Your leg pain may be worse than their pain. It is often deep and regular. It can easily be reproduced with certain activities and positions, such as sitting or walking.

* Diagnosis: radicular lower back pain is caused by compression of the lower spinal nerve. The most common cause is a herniated disc with nerve compression. Other causes include diabetes or injury to the nerve root. If you had a previous back operation, scar tissue can affect the nerve root. Older people may have a narrowing of the orifice through which the spinal nerve exits.

* Treatment: Conservative treatment is the best place to start. Rest for a few days in bed or chair. Follow that by the gradual introduction of gentle exercises specifically for the relief of back pain. Follow your workout with extra rest, applying a heating pad at low to medium setting. Soak daily in Epsom salt baths. Take the adequate medication OTC pain. Your doctor may want to use selective spinal injections.

* Forecast: Symptoms of lumbar radicular pain may decrease with conservative treatment described above. Give your back and legs six to eight weeks to improve. If after the operation usually provides relief of leg pain from 85% to 90% of patients, it is necessary. The own pain is more difficult to mitigate.

* Warning: If an MRI or CT-myelography undoubtedly confirm nerve compression, the back is unlikely to be successfully operated.

3. Low back pain with referred pain

Low back pain with referred pain is not as common as axial or radicular pain. This pain that does not radiate to the thighs and legs can be caused by the same conditions that cause pain in the lower axial back.

* Description: Typically referred feel pain in the lower back, radiating to the groin, buttocks and thighs. The pain may move, but rarely goes below the knee. It is often a dull ache pain. It tends to come and go. Sometimes it's difficult, but sometimes it is just a dull feeling. It can be caused by the same problem that causes injury or simple axial back pain. Often, there are more serious.

* Diagnosis: It is very important to have a doctor determine if your pain is back pain with radicular pain or pain in the lower back is concerned, because the treatment varies considerably.

* Treatment: Once you are sure that yours is back pain with referred pain, you can continue treatment for axial low back pain.

* Forecast: Symptoms of low back pain with referred pain disappear over time, usually within four to six weeks. If you do not feel better within six to eight weeks, see your doctor if testing is necessary and / or additional injections.

* Warning: If your pain is chronic or severe enough to wake you up at night, you should consult your doctor.