Back pain exercises and physical therapy
 Benefits
of back pain exercise and physical therapy
After an episode of low back pain has lasted
between two and six weeks, or if there are frequent
recurrences of low back pain, it is reasonable to
consider back pain exercises and physical therapy
for treatment. (Some spine specialists consider
back exercise and physical therapy sooner, particularly
if the pain is severe.) In general, the goals of
back pain exercises and physical therapy are to
decrease back pain, increase function, and provide
education on a maintenance program to prevent further
recurrences.
Passive physical therapy - modalities
There are many different forms of physical therapy.
Acutely, the therapist may focus on decreasing
pain with passive physical therapy (modalities).
These are considered passive therapies because
they are done to the patient. Examples of modalities
include:
Active physical therapy - back pain
exercises
In addition to passive therapies, active
physical therapy (exercise) is also necessary
to rehabilitate the spine. Generally, a patient’s
back exercise program should encompass a combination
of the following:
-
Stretching for back pain exercise
-
Strengthening for back pain exercise
-
Low-impact aerobic conditioning
Even patients with a very busy schedule should
be able to maintain a moderate back pain exercise
regimen that encompasses stretching, strengthening,
and aerobic conditioning.
-
Stretching for back pain exercises. Almost
every individual who has suffered from low
back pain should stretch their hamstring muscles
once or twice daily. Simple hamstring stretching
does not take much time, although it can be
difficult to remember, especially if there
is little or no pain. Therefore, hamstring
stretching exercises are best done at the
same time every day so it becomes part of
a person’s daily routine.
-
Strengthening for back pain exercise. To
strengthen the back muscles, 15-20 minutes
of dynamic lumbar stabilization or other prescribed
exercises should be done every other day.
-
Low-impact aerobic conditioning. Low
impact aerobics (such as walking, bicycling
or swimming) should be done for 30-40 minutes
three times weekly, on alternate days from
the strengthening exercises.
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