Back pain affects 8 in 10 people at some point during their lives, and for many, physical therapy can be an effective, nonsurgical solution.
“Physical therapy works on building and stretching the muscles that are important to make your spine more stable and resilient,” says David Scott, M.D., an orthopedics and physical medicine physician at Riverside Health System. “It makes you less susceptible to injury.”
When you experience back pain that’s new or unfamiliar, it’s best to see your care provider to rule out any serious problems, he says. There are many possible causes of back pain, and both the diagnose and treatment will depend on the patient’s individual issue. Many patients experience lower back pain as a result of a problem in their lumbar spine.
Symptoms of a lumbar spine problem can include:
- Muscle spasms
- Radiating pain down the leg or arm
- Pain with sneezing, coughing or straining
- Shooting pain
- Stiffness
- Throbbing and aching pain
Seeing your doctor for back pain
“When a patient comes in for back pain, we will typically do X-rays and an examination first,” Dr. Scott says. “If we can establish that there is no neurological compromise, and nothing that requires urgent attention, physical therapy can often be a good place to start.”
Causes of back pain include:
- Arthritis
- Broken vertebrae
- Compressed nerves and spinal cord problems
- Poor posture
- Sprains (overstretched or torn ligaments)
- Strains (tears in tendon or muscles)
- Structural irregularities, such as scoliosis
- Injuries, such as car accidents or falls
- Wear and tear, known as degenerative problems, that affects discs, joints and bones
- Weight gain
Physical therapy and back pain
Physical therapy can build core and back muscles. It also improves mobility, flexibility, and promotes proper positioning and posture.
“We usually set it up for twice a week for six weeks,” Scott says. “We consider this a push in the right direction. The purpose of physical therapy is to provide education. Ideally patients will take the lessons learned and incorporate them into their daily lives indefinitely.”
Physical therapy techniques for back pain may include:
- Ice and heat therapy
- Massage
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Traction – Stretching the spine to separate the vertebrae and relieve nerve pressure and stress on the disc
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS – Electrodes on the skin over the painful area generate electrical impulses that block or modify the perception of pain
- Ultrasound – Therapeutic ultrasound delivers heat to deep tissues to promote healing. This is not the same technology as ultrasound used for imaging.
Riverside provides outpatient physical therapy services in personalized, friendly, comfortable environments. We offer many Riverside Physical Therapy Centers in convenient locations near your work or home.
Talk to your health care provider if you think physical therapy might help your back pain.
If you are experiencing back pain, talk to your primary care provider. He or she may prescribe physical therapy or refer you to the Riverside Access Clinic or to the Riverside Neurosurgical and Spine Specialists for further evaluation.
