Your physical therapist has been asked this question many times. What do I do about low back pain? Studies show that 80% of Americans will seek treatment for low back pain in their lifetime. That probably means that 100% will experience. We have the choice to get ahead of the pain with prevention and learn tools to manage the symptoms, so that they are not debilitating.
Your physical therapists first step is to decrease inflammation and break the pain cycle. We use a variety of modalities and hands on soft tissue treatment but many of the early gains are related to education. By understanding your back mechanics and ergonomics we can get out of the way and let the body do what it does best to heal itself. Often we can be our own worst enemy but can easily learn what NOT to do.
An exercise program will no doubt be a part of your maintenance and prevention. This may look very simple at first, with gentle ROM and lower body stretches. You may be instructed in “self traction” techniques to mix into your day to unload your spine. Gradually introducing challenge to your “core” (the abdominals, buttocks, and back muscles) is an art. Too much too soon puts you back into the inflammatory state. Often aquatic therapy can be a good transition for the joints to be under lower forces, and later progressed to land exercise.
The low back is a unique and complex. Keeping it healthy takes some lifetime effort and awareness. Your therapist will always want to keep you out of the spine surgeons office and provide an alternative to narcotic long term medications. The goal of PT is always to improve your function specific to whatever your desired work or recreation may be.
Alex Ray, PT