Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain
May 18, 2010
Numerous studies have estimated that approximately 80% of people in Western countries have experienced low back pain at some point in their lives. Most cases resolve within 2-4 weeks without any medical intervention. However, within 1 year following the first episode of low back pain, 60-80% of patients will have recurring pain. In most cases of low back pain, certain muscles of the back that stabilize the spine are reflexively inhibited (shutdown) after injury. These muscles do not spontaneously recover, even if patients are pain free and return to normal activity. Strengthening these specific muscles to support and stabilize the spine is the best approach to help prevent ongoing low back pain.
After an episode of low back pain has lasted between two and six weeks, or if there are frequent recurrences of low back pain, it is reasonable to consider back pain exercises and physical therapy for back treatment. If pain is severe, physical therapy may be recommended sooner. In general, the goals of back pain exercises and physical therapy are to decrease back pain, increase function, and provide education on a maintenance program to prevent further recurrences.
Physical therapists use passive and active therapies to treat patients. Passive therapies include heat/cold therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, massage, and joint mobilization. Active therapies include carefully monitored stretching, strengthening and other therapeutic exercise.
Even patients with a very busy schedule should be able to maintain a moderate back pain exercise regimen that encompasses stretching, strengthening, and aerobic conditioning. Here are the types of exercises recommended for back pain relief:
- Stretching: Almost everyone who has suffered from low back pain should stretch their hamstring muscles once or twice daily. It doesn’t take much time, but can be difficult to remember, especially if there is little or no pain present. Developing a daily routine where you do the exercises at the same time and place each day, will help enforce the routine.
- Strengthening: To strengthen the back muscles, 15-20 minutes of dynamic lumbar stabilization or other prescribed exercises should be done every other day.
- Aerobic conditioning: Low impact aerobics (such as walking, bicycling or swimming) should be done for 30-40 minutes three times weekly, on alternate days from the strengthening exercises.
A well designed physical therapy treatment plan, which may also include other modalities such as chiropractic services, massage therapy, and/or spinal decompression, can help speed a spine patient’s recovery more so than one type of therapy alone.
Hudson Spinal Care offers all of these treatments, and designs custom treatment plans for the most effective spinal care under one roof.
To learn more about the services at Hudson Spinal Care, register for a free, in-office evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, call one of the two New Jersey locations. For Bayonne, NJ, call 201-339-8889, and for Scotch Plains, NJ call 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive the complimentary in-office evaluation (a $245 Value).
This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.
Dr. Chludzinski has been treating neuropathic conditions for the past 5 years. He is the founder of Hudson Center for Spinal Care located in Bayonne and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In preparation for his career, Dr. Chludzinski attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ, graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science. He continued his studies at Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, Georgia, graduating in the class of 2002 as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Chludzinski services all of Union and Hudson counties, including Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Harrison, Kearny, Newark, Elizabeth, Westfield, Clark, Fanwood, Plainfield, Watchung, Mountainside, Berkeley Heights and South Plainfield.
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