There are few things more difficult to deal with than back pain. Back pain will prevent you from doing basic everyday tasks that you once loved, no matter if the pain is a dull ache or an excruciating one.
Did you know that at some stage in their lives, almost 80 percent of adults experience back pain? The medications used to relieve it are varied, and many people believe that surgery is automatically the only way to alleviate back pain. Back surgery, which carries high-risk levels and involves months of healing, is nothing to be taken lightly.
Luckily, surgery is not the only choice for alleviating back pain. Physical therapy is also a very viable option and a safer route to go down! Here are a few things to take into account when you’re considering back pain.
Physical therapy can provide long-lasting pain relief
Many people equate physical therapy with a post-surgical recovery plan. Although it plays a critical role in helping patients heal while they are under the knife, it is also an excellent pain control tool!
With manual therapies, such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation, and massage, a physical therapist may relieve acute pain. What most people do not know, though, is that pain relief also needs to improve the function of the areas surrounding the injury, not just treat the injury itself. You will need to strengthen the core muscles in your abdomen and legs to help your back find relief if you are having back pain.
This process is not a fast one, but a physical therapist can show you exercises that are aimed at relieving your pain. Physical therapy pain relief lasts much longer than other methods of treatment, most of which are aimed at symptoms rather than causes of pain.
Undergoing physical therapy before surgery can improve outcomes
If you are already planning on surgery to help alleviate back pain, you may already have a recovery plan that includes physical therapy. What you may not know is that physical therapy is a great way to prepare for surgery as well. Physical therapy can get your body ready for your operation.
Not only can “pre-hab” improve your cardiovascular function, but physical therapy can also 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.
Your current condition and pain level will be determined by a physical therapist. They can check with your surgeon if they require more details or need to review any results of imaging tests that are available. A recovery plan aimed at immediate pain relief and strengthening the body in preparation for surgery will be developed by the physical therapist.
If you need to use your arms for balance, the physical therapist will assist you in planning to strengthen your upper body. The physical therapist will focus on strengthening your muscles without causing additional harm if you need stronger core strength to keep the structures of your spine in place.
Physical therapy can help you move better
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 about. In reality, many people who experience back pain need to learn how to move better so that they can avoid future injuries. 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.
Keep in mind that your physical therapist does rely on your honesty when it comes to pain. If you are ever uncomfortable with an exercise, or something that hurts to perform, don’t hesitate to speak up! It’s always a therapist’s goal to make sure their patient is feeling much better than they did when they arrived at an appointment — especially when that patient is in the process of recovering from an operation.
Call our clinic today for an appointment
Are you looking at an impending operation? If it’s already on your calendar, you should plan to see a physical therapist right after surgery is over. Don’t wait to schedule your appointment with a physical therapist.
Not only will they be able to outline your rehabilitation schedule and recovery process, but they may also have valuable insight into things you can do now to prepare for your surgery date. Contact Nebraska Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and rest assured that our skilled therapists will have your best outcome in mind when it comes to your recovery.
