When most people are experiencing back pain, some warm towels, ice, and over-the-counter medications are usually the go-to, but these remedies may not provide the relief you need if the injury is severe. If you have been dealing with back pain for more than a week or two, it may be time to consider seeking advice from a professional. For residual back injury pain such as this, most doctors will suggest going to physical therapy, where you will learn new exercises for back pain that will strengthen your back and reduce pain levels. Once you have been enrolled in the program, a PT trainer will do a full assessment to target the root of the problem and design a routine to strengthen the body accordingly. Here are a few ways physical therapy can help with different types of back pain.
Stabilization for Your Back
There are a few reasons that patients need stabilization exercises for their back. For the most part, patients that need this type of PT experience pain when they do a specific motion, such as turning over in bed or getting out of the car. This pain is usually the result of weak or non-responsive muscles in the abdomen. These muscles are responsible for stabilizing the spine, and when these muscles weaken, the surrounding muscles try to compensate. As the surrounding muscles try to compensate, that area can become overly tight, and eventually lead to back pain near the bottom half of the back. Stabilization is physical therapy for your lower back pain that retrains the deep abdominal muscles to start supporting the spine again so that the rest of your back can finally relax.
Repeated Motion Programs Provide Relief
If your back pain is a being caused by pressure on a nerve, a disk bulge, or spinal stenosis, then a repeated motion program may provide the relief you need. This type of back pain is characterized by shooting pain, numbness, tingles, and fatigue, typically caused by performing a specific movement. If bending forward causes this type of pain, then repeated motion therapy would include bending the opposite way to relieve pressure on the nerve. As you progress in therapy, new motions may be included in your routine to further reduce the pressure on the nerve as you learn how to stretch your back.
Manipulation and Mobilization Therapy
If stiffness is your issue, mobilization and manipulation therapy is the solution for you. Stiffness can be caused by several things, but one of the most common causes is osteoarthritis. During manipulation, the PT trainer uses short and fast thrusting movements over a joint while the body is in a specific position, kind of like a chiropractor. Mobilization is a similar technique, but the motions are gentler.
Find Physical Therapy Clinics in New Jersey
Here at Theradynamics, we specialize in providing cutting-edge healthcare with the latest in medical technology. Our QFNA technologies have what your body needs to both identify and treat a physical ailment. If you are suffering from lasting back pain, do not hesitate to reach out. We offer services for physical therapy in New Jersey, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx.