LOW BACK PAIN REHABILITATION
Developing a program that's right for you.
Information is readily available an the way to for you to stop back pain.
The challenge is to tailor it to the particular patient. For example, its
often said that swimming is good for the back. But which stroke? And how
often?
Strengthening the abdominal muscles is also commonly ordered for low back
pain. But how is this done? And are you exercising the right way for your
back injury? The list goes on: cold or hot applications, rest or activity?
What kinds of problems might cause low back pain?
Treatment for any back condition is recommended as soon as possible to
minimize the danger of further aggravation. The following is a list of may
some of the conditions that may cause low back pain and is not a substitute
far a visit to your doctor:
Myofascial Pain
Generally an aching pain in muscles that tends to come from
poor posture, sitting at a computer, or other job-related tasks. With
myofascial back pain the patient can become sore in different parts of the
body like the back and legs. Often patients report that they have difficulty
sleeping or feeling restored from sleep.
Spinal Stenosis
A narrowing of the nerve openings either around the spinal
card or nerve routs that can cause symptoms similar to a pinched nerve. It
can cause leg pain in anyone, but most often does so in older patients with
spinal stenosis can have trouble walking, and the difficulty is usually
relieved by sitting down or bending forward. It can cause aching or
heaviness in the back and legs.
Tendon, Ligament and Soft Tissue Pain
Localized pain when an area is stretched or its muscles are
overused. This results in tenderness.
Non-Spinal Causes of Low Back Pain
Pain imitating a back injury but from another cause.
Appendicitis, kidney disease, uterine disorders and urinary tract infections
are a few examples of problems that can refer pain to the back.
Radiculopathy
A pinched nerve, also called sciatica, usually from a
herniated, or slipped, disk. This can cause a shooting pain down the leg
that's often described as an electrical feeling.
Treatment Options
The rehabilitation of low back problems occurs in three phases. During
the first phase, called the acute phase, physiatrists treat pain and
inflammation. After they make a specific diagnosis and develop a treatment
plan, physiatrists may offer treatment options like ultrasound, electrical
stimulation, mobilization, medication, ice and even specialized injections.
In the second, or recovery; phase of treatment, flexibility and strength
are developed to get the body parts into their proper positions. The goal of
this phase is to get you back to your usual work, sports and leisure
activities. This goal is achieved through specially designed exercises that
rebuild the body.
The main goal of the third phase of treatment, the maintenance phase, is
to minimize recurrence of the problem and to prevent further injury. This
often consists of a total body fitness program, designed to maintain body
mechanics and increase endurance after the original symptoms have resolved.
These are very broad and general approaches to the treatment of low back
pain. The physiatrist that you-choose will develop an individual treatment
plan for you.
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