Back Injury: Physical Therapy is one of the best ways to beat the pain
Physical Therapy is the Best Way to Treat Back injuries
Back pain is typically caused by sports-related injuries. Severe headaches and acute pain are often associated with back injuries. Prolonged unabated pain may become unbearable and lead to depression or anxiousness (Journal Pain, September 2013). The spine is a rubber band which under excessive pressure gives way. Treatment options vary from rest and ice, to prescription painkillers or more invasive treatment.
Physical therapy is one of the best ways to get back in the game along with a healthy lifestyle which includes a balanced diet.
Exercise is one of the best ways to recover from a back injury and keep the pain from returning. Always check with your doctor or physical therapist before starting an exercise program. Everyone has start slowly and gradually work your way back into shape, regardless of your physical condition. One of the worst mistakes many make is to try and to do too much, too soon. Warming-up and cooling-down before and after every exercise is a must.
Take care of the core muscles that support your spine. There are many physical therapy options. Work with your physical therapist for an exercise program developed for your unique back pain condition.
Here are some simple and effective physical therapy treatments to help beat the pain:
A safe strengthening exercise for back pain is the pelvic tilt. Begin this exercise by lying on your back with your knees bent. Tighten your stomach muscles until you can press the small of your back flat against the floor. Hold the press for about five seconds and repeat up to 10 times.
Keeping your core muscles limber is as important as keeping them strong. Two excellent stretching exercises for back injuries include the knee-to-chest stretch and the hamstring stretch.
The knee-to-chest stretch: lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Bring one knee up to your chest and use your hands to pull the knee close while flattening out your back. Then repeat with the other knee.
The hamstring stretch is done from the same starting position. Pick up one leg with both hands placed behind your knee and then, straighten your lower leg. These stretches should be held for about 20 seconds and repeated five times. Be sure to warm up before you stretch.
Rhythmic and repetitive aerobic exercise helps getting the blood flowing to your back muscles. Aerobic exercise is the key to a speedy recovery and regaining body strength. Walking and swimming are both good aerobic exercise choices. Water therapy is one of the most beneficial and safe treatments for a back injury.
An exercise ball, also known as a Swiss ball, can be used for stretching and strengthening. The good news is there are hundreds of great exercises that can be done with an exercise ball. You will need some training on how to use it. Check with your physical therapist before working with an exercise ball.
Persistent back pain may be a result of several conditions:
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Prolonged contraction or stiffening of the back muscles, or muscle spasms are often triggered by trauma or repetitive strain.
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Injured or ruptured disks of the vertebrae can create pressure on your spine’s nerves. Acute nerve pain is unbearable.
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Osteoarthritis is arthritis of the lower back, often referred as spinal stenosis.
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Skeletal irregularities, known as scoliosis can create back pain due to the abnormal curvature of the spine.
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Osteoporosis results from the compression of the spine’s vertebrae which when the bones become porous and brittle can cause fractures in the spine’s bones.
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Sometimes the vertebrae become infected in a rare condition known as osteomyelitis.