Low back pain can stem from several causes. People older than 60 tend to suffer from pain associated with joint degeneration such as osteoarthritis. If you happened to twist your back, bend it awkwardly, or have fallen causing back pain, you may have a muscle strain in the low back.
Physical Therapy can be beneficial for lower back pain by helping to improve flexibility, mobility, and the strength of the low back muscles. Through guided massage, ice, and electrical stimulation, a physical therapist can also help to relieve some of the pain in your lower back.
Physical Therapy for the low back makes it so your lower back strengthens and loosens up and as a result, when you do normal daily activity, you won't have such pain from low back tightness and soreness. Patients suffering from low back pain are often referred to physical therapy for several weeks to see if it will help relieve pain before trying more severe treatments.
The stability of the low back is largely supported by the muscles in the low back and the abdomen. In physical therapy, we will work to strengthen both, to increase the stability of the low back. The goals of these lumbar stabilization exercises are to:
1. Reduce back pain
2. Gain control over the movements in one’s daily activity
3. Heal soft-tissue injury, such as a muscle strain and any torn ligaments
4. Reduce the chance of further back injury
Some examples of exercises that we’ll employ to help strengthen the lower back are:
1. Hamstring Stretch
2. Pelvic Tilts
3. Arm/Leg Raises
4. Exercise Ball Bridges (putting exercise ball between the legs and lifting the ball up and down)
In addition to strengthening, flexibility and conditioning will help your low back muscles. Stretching and increased flexibility with allow the back muscles to assume a neutral position rather than a stressed one, which helps to relieve pain. Aerobic exercises, like walking on a treadmill or riding the bicycle machine, also contribute to the body’s overall muscle strength and endurance. Call (718) 835-0084 today and schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists!
A physical therapist at Cross Bay Physical Therapy will create an individualized treatment plan for you during you initial evaluation. Our Physical Therapy practice is located in Howard Beach, Queens. Call (718) 835-0084 today and lets work together to get you a healthy and pain free back.
By Benjamin Bieber