How Can Spine Rehabilitation Address Back Pain?
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people miss work or see a physician. A leading cause of disability worldwide, it can take the form of a dull ache, sharp twinge, piercing sensation or burning feeling. The majority of people have back pain at least once during their lives, with many experiencing it more than once.
Most of the time, the underlying source of back pain is not a cause for concern. Usually, it is nothing more than a muscle sprain caused by an increase in activity or a bout of heavy lifting. In these cases, the discomfort often resolves on its own or with conservative treatment, such as physical therapy performed over the course of several weeks. At Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine of Houston, we often recommend spine rehabilitation for addressing many types of back pain.
Physical therapy can be helpful for managing the uncomfortable symptoms associated with many spine conditions, including spinal osteoarthritis, bulging and herniated discs, facet syndrome, sciatica, spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. In fact, a review article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (February 2009) recommends that in most cases of symptomatic lumbar degenerative disc disease, a common cause of low back pain, the most effective treatment is physical therapy combined with anti-inflammatory medications.
The specific type of spine rehabilitation recommended for back pain will depend on its cause. Some options include:
- Hot/cold therapy
- Stretches
- Low-impact aerobic exercises
- Core strengthening exercises
- Therapeutic massage
- Hydrotherapy
- Pilates
- Electrotherapy
- Chiropractic manipulation
Many people achieve good results with physical therapy and other conservative treatments for back pain, such as over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). As such, this approach may eliminate the need for more aggressive treatments, such as prescription medications and surgery.
With all of that said, sometimes back pain is the body’s way of indicating that something is very wrong. For instance, the following symptoms warrant prompt medical attention:
- Bowel and/or bladder incontinence (signs of an emergency medical condition known as cauda equina syndrome)
- Difficulty walking
- Progressive leg weakness
- Back pain that disrupts sleep or is accompanied by fever or unexplained weight loss
- Back pain the develops after trauma, such as a car accident or fall
- Back pain in an individual who has a history of cancer
If you’d like to learn more about physical therapy for back pain, contact Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine of Houston to request an appointment with a spine specialist. In the state of Texas, a physician’s referral is not required for an initial consultation with a physical therapist.