If you experience persistent back pain, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re one of the 16 million adults who report that their chronic back pain has limited their ability to enjoy many everyday activities. With back pain being such a common complaint, it might be surprising to learn that many people don’t think about spine care until they experience pain or an injury. However, a healthy spine is essential to your overall health and wellness.
Whether your back pain is caused by an injury, poor posture, degenerative conditions or as a result of age, physical therapy is an effective way to improve your spine health. The goal of physical therapy is not only to relieve your back pain, but also to determine the cause and work to correct it.
How can physical therapy help me keep my spine healthy?
There are a number of ways that physical therapy can benefit your spine care. Here are five steps that you can take to care for your spine using physical therapy:
- Joint mobilization — Your physical therapist can employ hands-on manual therapy techniques to help you regain your spine’s flexibility and mobility. Joint mobilization therapy is designed to restore mobility by providing amplitude and slow velocity to the affected joint.
- Spine stabilization — Spine stabilization therapy is an effective way to treat painful back conditions such as pinched nerves. This form of therapy is designed to increase your range of motion, reducing pain and increasing the stabilization and strength of your back.
- Therapeutic exercise — A physical therapist can guide you through exercises designed to reduce your back pain and increase the muscle strength surrounding your spine. This not only relieves pain but also helps prevent injuries in the future.
- Electrical stimulation — This form of therapy uses carefully placed electrical shocks to stimulate the muscles in your body. This helps increase circulation and loosen stiff muscles, allowing you more flexibility.
- Functional capacity evaluations — If you feel that your back is impairing your ability to work, a physical therapist can perform an evaluation of your spine health. This helps to determine how well you are able to function and helps your employer to make accommodations for you while you recover.
Where can I turn for trusted spine care near me?
Turn to the experts at Border Therapy Services for trusted physical therapy services to help keep your spine healthy. Our team of experienced physical therapy specialists can get you started with a free screening to determine your spine care needs.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.