Physical therapy is a common conservative treatment for back pain. Physical therapy can be utilized for number of different reasons: pain relief, functional strengthening of muscles, postural retraining, post injury recovery and back surgery rehabilitation to name only a few. Physical therapy can be a valuable part of a back pain relief program.

Physical therapists are specifically trained in physical examination of the spine, nerves and muscles. In addition they are trained to evaluate a patient’s posture and movement patterns and recognize any muscle imbalances and areas of weakness that may be contributing to a persons pain. Physical therapists often work in conjunction with a medical doctor or back surgeon.

With regard to treatment physical therapists use a multidisciplinary approach to relieving back pain. They are trained in massage therapy, manual stretching techniques, therapeutic exercise prescription, spinal traction and decompression, application of heat, ice and electro-nerve stimulation and in some special cases spinal manipulation similar to chiropractic adjustment.

When evaluating patients, physical therapists try to determine the root cause of the pateint’ pain. During an evaluation the therapist may find muscle weakness or tightness, postural issues and/or movement problems that may be causing the back pain. The therapist then uses a combination of the above treatments to relieve the pain and correct the problems.

Heat, massage and sometimes traction and/or eletro-nerve stimulation may be used initially to relax muscles, relieve pain and restore movement to the spine and hips. As soon as a patient is out of severe pain and moving again, stretches and exercises are used to reduce inflammation in and around the nerves and vertebrae. It is this inflammation that is a usually a primary cause of back pain and nerve symptoms. Once the acute or immediate symptoms begin to resolve strengthening exercises for the core and back muscles along with specific stretches for the back, hips and legs are used to help correct the underlying joint and muscle problems.

If a patient must return to a physically demanding job a therapist may also train the patient in safe lifting techniques and other physical strategies that will safely enable to return to work and reduce their chance of re-injury.

Physical therapists also specialize in designing home exercises programs that target the patient’s muscle imbalances, weaknesses and postural deficits. The patient uses this exercise program during their treatment when they are not in the clinic to expedite their progress and after they are finished with therapy to continue gaining strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. This continued focus on exercise and training is a key element in avoiding re-injury.

Some physical therapists will also incorporate alternative exercise therapies into their treatment such Yoga, Pilates, Fledenkrais and Alexander Technique to name few. Finding a physical therapist that specializes in back pain treatment can be a god send to anyone with persistent back pain.