Experiencing chronic lower back pain? This widespread condition can range from mild to debilitating. If you are experiencing pain in your lower back, it is important to seek treatment immediately. Untreated back pain can develop and worsen over time. This can prevent you from engaging with your work and other everyday activities. According to the World Health Organization, lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. It can be experienced at any age, making many people susceptible.
If you have looked into treatments for your pain, you may have heard that physical therapy can offer long-term relief from your symptoms. However, you might still have some doubts. Does physical therapy really work for long-term lower back pain relief? The short answer is yes. The holistic approach of physical therapy includes a variety of effective treatments. These treatments can work together to offer lasting relief. Learning about some of the top treatments can reveal what makes physical therapy so effective.
Top physical therapy treatments for lower back pain
- Kinesiology — Lower back pain is often a symptom of an injury. If you have injured your lower back, treatments that promote healing and functional recovery can be essential. Kinesiology taping is one common PT treatment for back injuries. Using a specialized elastic tape, a physical therapist can facilitate muscle movement in the injured area. Kinesiology tape mimics the stretchiness of your skin, which helps it move naturally with your body. Your physical therapist can help apply kinesiology tape to an injured region to reduce pain and increase circulation.
- Manual therapy — Want a hands-on physical therapy treatment for your lower back pain? Manual therapy may be exactly what you are looking for. Using manual therapy techniques, a physical therapist can target your spine and the tissue causing your lower back pain. Spinal manipulation involves the application of controlled, gentle force to certain parts of your spinal column. This pressure can help realign your spine and reduce back pain caused by misalignment. Other top manual therapy techniques include myofascial release and active release therapy.
- Acupuncture — Acupuncture is a pain relief technique that has been used for thousands of years. This technique involves inserting fine needles at specific target points on the body. These needles work to alleviate pain and promote healing by boosting your energy. Acupuncture can be good for physical and mental health, making it a great addition to a holistic treatment plan. If you are trying to manage pain and inflammation in your back, acupuncture can be an effective treatment option.
- Graston Technique® — The Graston Technique is a form of tissue mobilization. Unlike manual therapy tissue mobilization, this technique uses tools. With this approach, a physical therapist applies stainless steel instruments to the source of your back pain. By mobilizing restricted tissue, the Graston Technique can break up painful inflammation and relieve stress in tense muscles.
- Electrical stimulation — Electrical stimulation is a modality commonly used in physical therapy for lower back pain. There are many varieties of electrical stimulation therapy including high-voltage stimulation and Marc Pro muscle recovery. Using innovative technology, a physical therapist can trigger healing by stimulating the cells in your tissue. Electrical stimulation can also offer rapid pain relief by disrupting pain signals and encouraging endorphin production. Endorphins are natural feel-good chemicals that can play a vital role in pain management. With electrical stimulation, you can feel more comfortable on your recovery journey.
- Cupping therapy — For chronic lower back pain, finding the right physical therapy treatment plan is important. While your treatment plan will most likely include common techniques like exercise and manual therapy, other less-known treatments can also play a major role in reaching full recovery. A successful treatment plan will be designed to address your underlying condition while providing relief from your symptoms. For effective pain relief, cupping therapy is often a top choice. With this technique, a physical therapist uses suction to increase blood circulation and relieve tension. If your lower back pain is caused by an injury like a herniated disc, cupping therapy may help you find relief.
Address your lower back pain with the help of REPAIR SI
Now you know more about how physical therapy can provide long-term relief for your lower back pain. Are you ready to take the next step and receive PT treatment? At REPAIR SI, we offer a range of innovative and effective treatment options. Our approach is holistic, meaning we treat the whole patient. We use a variety of tools to help ensure that your needs are met. When you choose REPAIR SI, you choose a cutting-edge PT clinic designed to enable success on your health journey.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.