Physiotherapy Modalities for Treating Low Back Pain
Low back pain has become a huge health problem because of our lack of activity and overly sedentary lifestyle. As a result, millions of Americans struggle with it, and it’s one of the leading causes of disability.
Exercise is typically recommended as a part of lower back pain treatment. Various physical therapy modalities are prescribed and are particularly effective for acute and early stages of back pain.
Physiotherapy aims to improve function and prevent the condition from getting worse. As a result, it alleviates pain and other symptoms.
Read on to learn more about physiotherapy modalities for treating low back pain and discover how a chiropractor in Huntsville, Texas, can help you eliminate the pain.
Why Is Physiotherapy Recommended for Low Back Pain?
Research shows that almost 4 out of 5 people experience low back pain at some point in their life. Physiotherapy is often recommended during those episodes because it can provide significant relief and prevent physical ailments down the line.
Your back is a complex system of vertebrae, muscles, ligaments, discs, facet joints, and nerves, and physiotherapy modalities can help you address multiple systems and provide a successful rehabilitation.
In addition to relieving pain, physical therapy can help you reduce swelling, eliminate muscle spasms, and improve circulation.
What Physiotherapy Modalities Are Recommended for Low Back Pain?
Two types of physiotherapy are involved in providing low back pain relief: active and passive physical therapy. Active physical therapy includes modalities like back stretches, muscle strengthening exercises, and low-impact aerobic conditioning. Passive physiotherapy approaches include ultrasound, heat and ice therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS), and other modalities.
Active Physical Therapy
Muscle imbalances and poor posture are often the culprits of back pain. Active physical therapy aims to stretch and strengthen the muscles, which relieves pain and prevents further degradation.
Your physiotherapist will recommend specific stretches and exercises to ensure your back is healing correctly. You can expect things like whole body stretches, dynamic lumbar stabilization, and water therapy to be a part of your active program.
Heat and Ice Therapy
Ice therapy can reduce inflammation in your lower back, while heat therapy relaxes tight muscles. Combined, these two approaches can be a significant aid for pain relief.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound therapy uses specific wavelengths of sound to penetrate the skin and produce a heating effect. As a result, it can promote muscle relaxation and boost tissue healing, which is why ultrasound is a common way to deal with low back pain.
TENS
TENS uses a low-voltage electrical current to alleviate lower back pain and improve functionality. This form of electrotherapy is safe and works by overriding the pain signals going to your brain. As a result, TENS can provide significant long-term relief.
Physiotherapy Modalities in Huntsville, Texas
If you are looking for a chiropractor in Huntsville, TX, who offers physiotherapy modalities for low back pain, Dr. Jeffrey Pruski from the Joint & Spine Center is the right choice. Along with his team of chiropractic technicians and other staff, Dr. Pruski is able to help people get rid of their low back pain and improve their quality of life.
