Did you know that 8 in 10 people experience lower back pain at some point in their life? While it is a common problem, some people suffer from severe lower backache that renders them immobile. Back pain can manifest in many ways. When pain is felt in the lower back, just above your tailbone, it’s considered a localized or non-specific pain. People suffer from localized pain due to sprains, muscular aches or water retention in their bodies.
On the other hand, people suffering from a prolapsed disc, spinal stenosis or degenerative disc experience a radiating pain that starts at the lower back and radiates down to the leg. In either case, medical attention is required to access and understand the situation and take the next step.
Although medicines help ease lower back pain, it is not a permanent solution, especially if it’s recurrent. This is why most general practitioners recommend seeing a physiotherapist for long term pain management.
How physiotherapy can help
Your physiotherapy treatments start only after a detailed study of your medical history. Your physiotherapist will ask you more about the nature of your pain, your general lifestyle, and the details of any current medications you’re taking. This is often followed by a neurological assessment to understand your nerve functioning. Once your condition is assessed, your physiotherapy sessions will start. The treatment will be tailored to your individual needs and therefore will not be too painful or difficult for you.
- Manual physiotherapy
During manual physiotherapy, the physiotherapist will personally assist you with hands-on techniques that can improve your mobility. Gentle movements to stretch your spine, thrusting movements to release knots, massaging, electrical nerve stimulation, and acupuncture may also be used to provide immediate relief from pain during your consultation.
- Active physiotherapy
Qualified physiotherapists often recommend active therapy for long term pain management. The idea here is to ensure that you are having an active lifestyle that is helpful for your lower back as well. Active physiotherapy usually includes lifestyle changes and physical exercise.
Most exercises prescribed for lower back pain management mainly focus on three areas – reducing muscular stiffness, improving flexibility, and strengthening the muscles. Aerobic exercises are often recommended as a foolproof way to reduce your body’s stiffness. These exercises will increase your heart rate and keep your body mobile. Low-impact aerobic exercises such as swimming, biking, and step machines are really helpful in keeping your body physically active.
It is also advised that you follow your exercises with stretching. Most physiotherapy treatment plans are focused on improving the flexibility of your body. Having increased mobility and flexibility will help your body deal with pain better. A typical stretching exercise is to lie on your back and pull your knees in towards you. This will help to gently stretch and reduce stress in your lower back.
Once your body has gotten accustomed to these physical movements, your physiotherapist will help you strengthen your lower back muscles. As your muscles strengthen, it greatly reduces episodes of sudden back pains that make you unable to move.
Long term pain management
People with chronic lower back pain have always found physiotherapy as an effective solution for pain management. The therapy is not only focused on physical activities but also includes measures to improve your posture. Making lifestyle changes along with sticking to the recommended exercises will help you get better faster, with lesser chances of recurring pain.
Get in touch with The Hundred Wellness Centre today to learn more about physiotherapy or visit us at https://thehundred.ae/.
