Try Physical Therapy Before Considering Back Surgery
Back pain is one of the most incapacitating conditions. Back pain, which can range from a dull ache to excruciating pain, can prevent you from performing simple daily tasks that you once enjoyed.
While nearly 80% of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives, the treatments available to help them are diverse. Despite this, many people believe that surgery is the best option for relieving back pain. Back surgery is not for the faint of heart, as it can be dangerous and necessitates months of recovery.
Fortunately, surgery is not your only option for back pain relief. Physical therapy is a natural form of pain relief that promotes long lasting recovery. To learn more about the benefits of PT, contact Request Physical Therapy in Gainesville, FL today!
Back pain and physical therapy
If you are considering surgery to relieve back pain, you may already have a recovery plan in place 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 not only improve your cardiovascular function, but it can also strengthen muscles and muscle attachments in areas that will already be weakened by surgery.
Even a few sessions with a physical therapist can reduce postoperative care by more than 25%. Because most back surgery procedures require lengthy recovery periods, the idea of cutting it by a fourth is appealing.
A physical therapist will assess your current condition and level of pain. They will consult with your surgeon for additional information and any available imaging studies. The physical therapist will then create a treatment plan aimed at immediate pain relief and strengthening the body in preparation for surgery.
If you will need to use your arms for balance, the physical therapist will help you prepare by strengthening your upper body. If you need more core strength to keep your spine’s structures in place, the physical therapist will work with you to strengthen your muscles without causing further damage.
Looking for increased movement and decreased pain?
It is critical to remember that a physical therapist is an expert in the movement of the body. When we are in pain, we have a natural tendency to rest rather than move. In reality, many people who suffer from back pain need to improve their mobility.
Physical therapy can help you regain movement in your back and legs while also reducing pain. A physical therapist can also teach you how to bend, lift, stretch, sit, stand, or walk in ways that will relieve your back pain in everyday situations.
How can I find relief?
Many people associate physical therapy with post-operative care. While it is important in assisting patients in their recovery after surgery, it is also an excellent pain relief tool. A physical therapist can use manual therapies such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation, and massage to treat acute pain.
However, most people are unaware that pain relief frequently necessitates strengthening the structures surrounding the injury, rather than simply treating the injury itself. If you have back pain, you may need to strengthen your core muscles in your abdomen and legs to help it heal.
This is a slow process, but a physical therapist can show you exercises to help relieve your pain.
What can I expect in physical therapy?
Too often, people wait until their pain is severe or don’t exercise regularly throughout the year, which leads to more complications and possible injuries. Our team will thoroughly evaluate the injury’s severity and identify any other weaknesses or limitations that may affect your function and recovery ability.
We will use this information to develop a comprehensive program that includes targeted manual techniques, mobility work, strengthening, and appropriate pain relief techniques for the individual patient.
Our therapeutic interventions will start with pain management and restoring mobility to the injured area. Next, we will focus on progressing your strength and dynamic stability exercises designed to restore function and prevent injuries. We will also incorporate body mechanics and proper lifting exercises to stimulate your nervous system and help ensure you can adequately perform the tasks you need to avoid an injury.
Ready to find relief? Contact Request Physical Therapy today!
Whether you are contemplating surgery or have already scheduled one, contact our Gainesville, FL office to schedule a free physical therapy consultation and begin feeling better.