It has been observed through surveys that physical therapy, one of the primary cures, is frequently recommended to people with lower back pain. It is a fantastic therapy for more ineffective treatment, and it includes instructions on how to exercise to straighten the muscles in the lower back and maintain the health of the spinal tissues and joints.
Uses Of Physical Therapy
Some short-term and long-term goals have already been set for treating this pain. Some are as follows:
Decrease the symptoms, especially in the back and leg areas.
Improve the function of the low back to perform routine activities Independently.
Enhance the flexibility of the spine and help to improve the range of motion.
Prevent some recurrence of the pain.
Exercise is one of the essential parts of this therapy that generally provides flexibility and strength to the muscles, joints, and body segments that can work together to perform bodily movements. Individuals can be able to do their routine activities with no discomfort.
Let us discuss some guidelines for starting an exercise routine and step-by-step exercises that help to reduce the pain included in this therapy.
Categories of Therapeutic Exercises for It
Typically, therapeutic exercises performed under the guidance of a physical therapist and a combination of such approaches are used during this therapy process as described below:
Core-strengthening exercises
The core of an individual's body is surrounded by the stomach muscle in front, buttock muscles, spinal muscles, and the bottoms of the lung.
A weak core can distribute the weight unequally into the legs and throughout the spine, which causes pain in the back and can worsen the existing chronic pain. The therapist helps strengthen the core, building strength and endurance in core muscles. It reduces pain and improves functionality.
The therapist recommends some easy-to-perform core-strengthening activities and exercises such as cat-cow pose, bird dog, pelvic tilt, crunches, and low and high planks, which reduce pain in the back.
Lumbar stabilization exercises
A strong spine requires strong hips and legs that support the lower body to do daily activities, including walking, twisting, and bending. The weakened muscle in the legs and hips causes spinal instability and pain.
Physical therapists generally suggest some stretching exercises which help to activate and strengthen these muscles. It improves spine and hip coordination and transfers forces across the pelvis, back, and legs.
These stretching leg and hip exercises recommended by the therapist for beginners with back pain include squats, downwards dogs, lunges, hamstring stretches, and planks with leg lifts.
Aerobic exercises
Cardiovascular or aerobic exercises help individuals to maintain a healthy heart and heal the spinal muscles. Such exercises include synchronized movements in the human body. Several benefits of this exercise include
Increased heart rate.
Improved blood circulation.
Helping to reach more oxygen-rich content within the cells.
Energy reproduction.
Physical therapists recommend simple aerobic exercises to reduce this pain involving a stationary bike, brisk walking, and elliptical training. Aquatic exercise helps to achieve low-impact aerobics conditioning that reduces the stress on the spine and allows a more excellent range of motion.
Postural training
Supported posture generally minimizes the strain from an individual's body, as it maintains the balance of bones and muscles.
Whereas unsupported posture can lead to painful symptoms and ergonomics at home or work. Incorrect posture limits the movement of muscles and tendons during regular daily movement, becoming difficult and painful.
The physical therapist often suggests posture correction exercises to stretch and strengthen the abdominal and back muscles that stabilize the spine. Some of the most common posture correction exercises are stretching, pelvic tilts, seated squats, and abdominal strengthening exercises.
Types of Back Pain Beneficial From Physical Therapy
Pain conditions may primarily benefit from this therapy and exercise unless considered a medical emergency. The root cause of such pain helps the design of an individualized therapy program and the types of exercises that are required to be included:
Axial pain: This therapy is effective for chronic axial pain, lasting almost three months, by focusing on stretching and strengthening the muscles of the lower side of the back.
Sciatica: It typically involves extension and flexion exercises, nerve and joint mobilization methods, and lumbar strengthening exercises that effectively reduce its symptoms.
Post-surgical pain and healing: stretching and exercise help eliminate fatigue, return the individual to normal day-to-day activities, and avoid recurring injuries.
Duration of a Physical Therapy
The duration of a total exercise program depends on the severity of symptoms and the time of back pain.
A physical therapist can design an eight-week program for chronic pain in the lower back.
After the initial phase, a rehabilitation program or long-term maintenance can be prescribed at home.
Conclusion
This therapy can be an effective solution by combining it with other nonsurgical treatments, which helps to improve overall pain outcomes and reduce pain. Some alternative treatments, including acupuncture, massage therapy, and manual therapy, will be more beneficial when combined with this therapy.
Another alternative therapy is biomagnetism therapy, which works by balancing the pH level in the body to help you feel less discomfort. Along with its many advantages, it can naturally treat the body by lowering symptoms, enhancing blood circulation, and other things.
Reference links
Comments