Ranging from a dull ache to excruciating, back pain can keep you from performing simple daily tasks you once enjoyed. There are few conditions that are more uncomfortable than back pain. While nearly 80 percent of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives, the treatments used to alleviate it are varied.
Some people automatically think surgery is the best option to relieve back pain, but that’s not always true. Carrying high levels of risk and requiring months of recovery, back surgery is no small matter. That’s why it should not be a person’s first resort when they are struggling with back pain.
Fortunately, if you do need surgery, there are ways to make it go much smoother and to ensure that your recovery process is as fast as possible: physical therapy!
Physical therapy can offer a variety of benefits when it comes to relieving your back pain, and it can also improve your overall health in the process. To learn more, contact Nebraska Orthopaedic today to set up an appointment.
Ever heard of “pre-hab?”
If you are planning on surgery to help alleviate back pain, you may already have a recovery plan that includes physical therapy. That’s normal, as most extensive surgeries do require physical therapy to begin shortly after the operation is completed. What you may not know is that physical therapy is a great way to prepare for surgery as well.
Physical therapy can improve your cardiovascular function and strengthen the muscles and muscle attachments in areas that will already be weakened by surgery. Even a few sessions with a physical therapist have been shown to reduce postoperative care by more than 25 percent. Since most back surgery procedures require long periods of recovery, the idea of cutting it down by a fourth is appealing.
A physical therapist will evaluate your current condition and pain level. They will consult with your surgeon for more information and any imaging studies that are available. The physical therapist will then create a treatment plan aimed at immediate pain relief and strengthening the body in preparation for surgery.
Physical therapists will help you strengthen your upper extremities as well. If you need better core strength to hold the structures of your spine in place, the physical therapist will work on strengthening your muscles without causing additional damage.
Physical therapy after surgery
Many people associate physical therapy with a post-surgical treatment plan. While it does play a vital role in helping patients recover once they have been under the knife, it is also an incredible tool for pain relief. A physical therapist can treat acute pain with manual therapies such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation, and massage.
However, what most people don’t realize is that pain relief often requires strengthening the structures around the injury, not just treating the injury itself. If you are experiencing back pain, you may need to strengthen your core muscles in your abdomen and legs to help your back find relief.
This process is not a fast one, but a physical therapist can show you exercises that are aimed at relieving your pain.
Why choose physical therapy?
It is important to remember that a physical therapist is an expert in the way the body moves. We have a natural tendency to rest when we are in pain, rather than move. In reality, many people who experience back pain need to learn how to move better. Physical therapists are skilled specialists who can provide you with the necessary education regarding the prevention of future injuries as well.
Physical therapy can help you regain lost movement in your back and legs while decreasing your pain levels. A physical therapist can also show you how to prevent further injury in your daily life by teaching you how to bend, lift, stretch, sit, stand, or walk in ways that relieve your back pain.
Choosing physical therapy before and after invasive surgical procedures can be one of the best choices you can make for your overall health. You don’t want to end up dependent on prescription medication for pain relief, do you? Of course not! So what are you waiting for? It’s time to start setting yourself up for success.
Consult with a physical therapist today
You have the power to set yourself up for the best surgical outcome possible. The question now is, why aren’t you seizing it?
Whether you are considering surgery or already have a surgical date, call our office to schedule a physical therapy consultation and start experiencing relief today. Our skilled therapists are movement specialists who will take your case into their hands and create the most effective treatment plan for your recovery. Contact Nebraska Orthopaedic today!
