How Physiotherapy Can Help with Lower Back Pain

Your back is one of the most intricate, frequently used parts of the body. If you suffer from lower back pain, physiotherapy can help restore your body to the way it was prior to your injury. Physiotherapists use both active and passive forms of physical therapy to help you get back on track.

Here are some ways that each type of therapy can help reduce pain in your lower back:

Passive Physiotherapy

Passive physical therapy is used to treat lower back pain using many different modalities. This process involves therapy performed by the physiotherapist to the passive patient to help reduce muscle inflammation and muscle spasms.

There are many forms through which passive physical therapy can be applied:

Hot and Cold Therapy. This is one of the most commonly used types of therapy. Depending on the patient, the physiotherapist will use a heat pack or ice massage to reduce inflammation and ease pain in the lower back. This type of therapy is most effective early on in treatment.
This type of therapy involves applying steroids through the skin with an electrical current. This is a fast acting, effective method to reduce the inflammation and acute pain in the lower back.
TENS Units. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators uses a low voltage electric current to help reduce the sensation of pain in the lower back.
Ultrasound. This system uses energy and heat to reduce pain and speed healing in the lower back muscles.

Active Physical Therapy

This type of physiotherapy involves active participation from the patient to help strengthen and rehabilitate the spine. Active physiotherapy comprises many exercises:

General stretching is a great way to reduce pain for patients suffering from chronic lower back pain. For stretching to be effective, it’s important to stretch all areas of the body—not just the back. Hamstring and glute stretches are usually recommended.
Muscle Strengthening. A weak back and core might be the reason for your acute or chronic lower back pain. Dynamic lumbar stabilization or other exercises prescribed by your physiotherapist will ensure your back is healing properly.
Aerobic Conditioning. For reduction of pain in the long term, physiotherapists may engage patients in low-impact aerobic conditioning like water therapy or cycling.

At some point in life, most of us will experience a certain level of back pain. To keep a healthy spine, it’s important to stay active and stretch often, ensuring a strong, healthy spine.

Pro Care Physiotherapy in Ottawa creates customized treatment techniques for patients suffering from chronic or acute lower back pain. The techniques used in our programs are carefully selected by the treating physiotherapist from evidence-based research demonstrating maximum benefit for your particular condition.

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