Is Physical Therapy Effective for Neck and Back Pain?
At Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine of Houston, we typically recommend physical therapy as a first-line treatment for neck and back pain. This medical discipline, which promotes both physical and emotional healing, can be very effective for individuals who are affected by a spinal condition or injury. By providing specific therapies that combine both physiological and exercise principles, a physical therapist can often help an individual prevent or manage neck and back pain. 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.
Focusing specifically on the structures that comprise and support the spinal column, including the vertebrae (bones), joints, discs, nerves, muscles, tendons and ligaments, physical therapy for neck and back pain has several goals:
- To accelerate healing by reducing spinal inflammation
- To stabilize the spine by strengthening the core muscles that support it
- To protect the spine by promoting the maintenance of good posture and increasing awareness of body mechanics
- To alleviate pain and stiffness with passive treatments, such as hot/cold therapy, therapeutic massage, ultrasound therapy and electrical stimulation, and active treatments, such as stretching and exercise
- To provide education on how to manage painful flare-ups
- To provide injury prevention strategies
The experienced physical therapists at Advanced Orthopaedics can determine the specific therapies that will be most effective for you. By taking a highly individualized approach to neck and back pain treatment, we help each patient achieve the best possible functional outcome and quality of life.
While neck and back pain are very common, studies consistently show that surgical treatment is necessary only in a small minority of cases. Often, the most effective treatment approach is a customized physical therapy program used along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are widely considered to be the cornerstone of nonsurgical treatment for neck and back pain.
If you’d like more information about physical therapy for neck and back pain, contact Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine of Houston. In the state of Texas, you can schedule an initial consultation with a physical therapist without a physician’s referral.