What Are The Best Physiotherapy Treatment Alternatives For Lower Back Pain?

Essentially everybody experiences lower pain in the back at some point in their lives. Even if you're not a person who sits in front of a desk all the time, the stress from lifting heavy things or carrying them for extended durations, extended reaching or stretching, playing sports, jogging or any number of other activities can trigger pain in the lower back.

Fortunately, there are numerous ways to eliminate lower back pain and help prevent it from recurring.

Common conditions and reasons for lower back pain include:

• Neuropathic pain

• Sports injury

• Poor posture

• Weak pelvic girdle

• Motor vehicle accidents

• Labour pain

• Arthritis-related pain

• Chronic muscle pain

• Compressed sciatic nerves

• Degenerative disc disorders

• Tissue damage

• Plantar fasciitis

• Issues with pelvic organs

Practicing a healthy lifestyle can go a long way toward protecting against back pain. Nevertheless, when pain does take place, there are several evidence-based treatment choices readily available that can really help ease the pain and minimize recurrence.

Here we'll investigate some assorted physiotherapy treatments for lower back pain and their overall performance in easing pain and avoiding re-injury.

Manual Treatment

One of the best tried and true treatments offered, manual therapy is an effective way to care for lower back pain. Physiotherapists may use a range of methods, including joint mobilization, soft tissue re-positioning, stretching exercises, and electrotherapy to diminish swelling, increase blood flow, and ease discomfort.

A 2017 paper discovered that manual treatment was the most successful treatment option for pain relief in the lower back.

While hands-on treatment won't get rid of the underlying cause of your pain in the lower back, it can ease discomfort and decrease reoccurrence. If your pain is caused by a particular injury, such as a sprain or tear, manual treatment can help to reduce swelling and bring back range of motion and strength to the affected location.

If your discomfort is brought on by overly tight muscles, manual therapy can serve to help restore them to their usual length and pliability. It is essential to bear in mind though, that hands-on treatment can take numerous sessions to begin easing discomfort. It's best to consult with your physiotherapist before beginning treatment.

Ultrasound Therapy

A treatment technique that promotes tissue recovery and pain relief, ultrasound treatment is likewise frequently employed by physiotherapists to relieve lower back pain.

Although research is indefinite relating to the performance of ultrasound therapy on lower back pain, some studies have found that it can considerably minimize discomfort and promote healing amongst clients. A 2019 study discovered that ultrasound treatment is just as effective as medication for alleviating discomfort.

Like manual therapy, ultrasound treatment works by increasing blood circulation and reducing swelling. It also encourages tissue recovery and can be very beneficial in alleviating soft tissue injuries.

When it pertains to lower back pain, ultrasound is best employed as a treatment to ease pain, cutting down on recurrence when routinely made use of as part of a pain management program.

TENS Units

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is another treatment approach your physiotherapist might employ to alleviate pain in the lower back and promote physical fitness and recovery.

How does it work? TENS units provide moderate electrical impulses to the nerves near the site of your pain, decreasing the feeling of pain. Some TENS units have discs that are placed on the location of pain, which extends the advantages of TENS treatment. These discs can work by themselves or with a TENS device.

While TENS units and discs are effective treatments in relieving low-grade discomfort, they do not offer enduring relief or relieve the underlying cause of your discomfort.

They are best used as part of a short-term discomfort management strategy, for instance after an injury. While TENS systems and discs demonstrate promise in decreasing pain and promoting healing, they are not suggested as a long-term therapy choice.

Physical Exercise Program

Physical activity is one of the most beneficial ways to prevent lower back pain and other health issues. When mixed with other treatment alternatives (such as medications and hands-on treatment), exercise can be one of the more reliable at alleviating discomfort and promoting healing. 

Your physiotherapist can propose particular movements, core exercises, and stretching workouts that will help build and loosen up your muscles, enhancing your lower back health and overall physical capabilities.

While aerobic workout is most typically recommended to deal with pain in the lower back, resistance training can likewise relieve discomfort and promote the healing process.

When it involves pain in the lower back, frequency and time frame matter. Regularly taking part in moderate physical exercise for about 30 minutes can help alleviate pain and promote healing, particularly if you're experiencing acute lower back pain.

If you're suffering from persistent lower back pain, you may want to think about high-intensity interval training, or HIIT: a kind of exercise that's been shown effective in promoting recovery, reinforcing muscles, and lowering pain.

Again, your physiotherapist may suggest a workout program that's particularly customized to your unique condition.

Final Thoughts

Lower back pain can seem unbearable, especially if it's persistent. While there are many ways to ease lower back pain and stop it from recurring, it is very important to tailor your treatment strategy to your specific needs.

While one treatment might be effective in dealing with pain in one person, it might not be as beneficial in another. It's important to be flexible and try out multiple treatment options with your physiotherapist until you find one that works best for you.

Contact Nose Creek Physiotherapy today and we can start eliminating your lower back pain. Now scheduling new appointments!