Physiotherapy and Exercise Therapy
What is it?
Physiotherapy helps people of all ages who are in pain, injured, ill or disabled. Physiotherapists help to promote movement and function back into the body using a range of techniques, which can include manual therapy, massage, exercise therapy and acupuncture. Critically, they can also provide advice and education. All of these interventions are recommended by national and international guidelines.Who are physiotherapists?
Physiotherapists are trained healthcare professionals who work in many health care areas including neurology, orthopaedics, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation (bones, joints and muscles). They can help if you have had an injury, experience pain and want to get back to an active lifestyle.Physiotherapy for low back pain
Back pain is very common and affects 8 out of 10 people during their lifetime. Most people recover quickly from back pain if it is properly managed. It is the most common reason people are unable to work and unable to do their activities. Back pain can often come back during one's lifetime.It is well known that (musculoskeletal) physiotherapy and education work well for managing back pain.
Back pain has many causes, which include sitting for too long in one position, picking up heavy things incorrectly and getting injured. Stress and anxiety can make the pain worse. A physiotherapist will work with the cause of your back problem, explain what it is and what he/she can do to help for the back pain to get better.
Exercise
Doing exercise and staying active are important ways to treat and prevent back pain from becoming a more serious problem. It is important to keep moving which prevents stiffness, tightness and more pain.Physiotherapists will give specific exercises that can really help with back pain. Generally, this will include stretching areas that are tight and strengthening areas that are weak. Safe activities for back pain include walking, swimming and cycling.
Manual therapy techniques
Physiotherapists use many manual techniques including manipulation and mobilization, which work on releasing stiff joints. This helps to get more blood flow to an injured part of the body and helps recovery. Manual therapy is only recommended alongside exercise.Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
The use of alternative treatments for back pain is increasing and becoming more popular. Some of these treatments include yoga, acupuncture, massage, herbal medicine, homeopathy, meditation, mindfulness, Tai Chi and many more. Some are more effective preventative measures (eg. Tai chi) and others are more directed to treatment (eg., Pilates).A survey of nearly 70 000 adults in Canada found that the use of CAM is highest in people with chronic low back pain who also report that thanks to the treatments, they are more active, more sociable, healthier and manage their condition better (Foltz et al, 2005).
Massage
Physiotherapists use massage to release tight muscles and take pressure off stiff and painful joints. Having flexible muscles and joints is important to reduce the chance of injury, plus recovery is faster.There are many types of massage but they all improve circulation to the area, release tight muscles, improve alignment, help recovery and reduce pain.
The benefits of massage therapy in patients with chronic low back pain can last up to one year which makes this treatment beneficial for people with back troubles, especially if it is combined with exercise and education.
Acupuncture
Many physiotherapists also use acupuncture, which means inserting very thin needles into muscles or tendons. This acts through the nervous system to relax those specific areas.Yoga
Yoga is a type of physical exercise and also a form of mind-body medicine. It consists of various postures combined with breathing techniques which can help create inner, physical and emotional balance. Yoga also has the potential to alleviate pain.Some of the benefits of yoga include increased flexibility, better oxygen flow to muscles and joints, relaxation effects and release of happy hormones. All of this may help reduce pain, anxiety and depression. Compared to physiotherapy exercises, it seems that a regular yoga programe can achieve all these effects and also improve movement of the spine in people with chronic back pain.
References
The Patient Line website offers information for patients with spinal conditions:
Sciatica, back pain, spinal stenosis, disc herniation, scoliosis and many other spine conditions explained in a clear reliable, and trustworthy way. Not for profit EUROSPINE experts are here to help patients and their families understand what may be worrying them.
EUROSPINE is a society of spine specialists of various disciplines with a large knowledge of spine pathologies. All well-known and accepted treatment modalities for spine pathologies are represented by the members of the society. However, the Society cannot accept any responsibility for the use of the information provided; the user and their health care professionals must retain responsibility for their health care management.
