Did you know that: “Physical therapy helps restore a patient’s ability to perform daily activities with little-to-no discomfort. And that large-scale studies have shown that physical therapy can provide up to 60% improvement in lower back pain and other symptoms?” [1]
So this is why Pain Doctors frequently recommend physical therapy as part of a patient’s Holistic Personalised Treatment Plan. The latter of which is drawn up after a consultation, which includes the Pain Specialist looking through your medical history, arranging any necessary tests and scans, and asking you pertinent questions about your pain, what makes it worse, and how it affects you.
Good News Fact
“Physical therapy helps restore the patient’s ability to perform daily activities with little-to-no discomfort. Large-scale studies have shown that physical therapy can provide up to 60% improvement in lower back pain & other symptoms” [1]
The Low-Down on Physical Therapy
“Maintaining a professionally planned exercise routine at home, is a big part of a patient’s success story” [1]
Contrary to popular belief, when it comes to long-term back pain, exercise is key, and this is why leading clinics such as the London Pain Clinic (in Harley Street), have highly experienced physiotherapists (who specialise in spinal and muscular pain management), on their team. As with all elements of pain protocols, any exercise program which is given to a patient, is personalised according to their age, ability, condition and needs. Moreover, the right way of doing each exercise is explained very clearly, and any questions or concerns that the patient may have, are readily answered.
To give an insight into what is involved, physical therapy for long-term back pain could include:
•Improving your posture through retraining
•Testing the boundaries of your pain tolerance
•Strengthening your core muscles
•Conditioning your spinal tissues and joints
•Flexibility and stretching exercises
•Aerobic exercises [2].
So What Are the Short and Long-Term Aims of Physical Therapy For Back Pain?
•Reducing painful symptoms in the leg and/or lower back
•Improving lower back function (to make daily living and everyday chores and activities easier)
•Boosting the flexibility of the spine and expanding its range of motion
References
[1]. John Hopkins Medicine (2022). “7 Ways to Treat Chronic Back Pain Without Surgery.”
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/back-pain/7-ways-to-treat-chronic-back-pain-without-surgery
[2]. Dickerman, R, (2022). “Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain Relief.” Spine-Health.
