THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY IN REDUCING BACK PAIN

Movement is a natural state for humans, but modern lifestyles often confine us. We spend hours working sedentary jobs, choose driving over walking, and find countless excuses for why "today" we can't or don't want to exercise. However, many people who suffer from back pain notice that they feel much better with simple walking and light exercise.

When Can Physical Therapy Help?

The human back is a complex structure made up of vertebrae, discs, joints, ligaments, and muscles. The goal of physical therapy is to reduce back pain, improve physical function, posture, and educate patients on preventive measures to avoid future pain.

Physical therapy can help reduce many causes of back pain, including:

Non-specific back pain – back pain without a specific diagnosis of a condition, injury, or trauma.

Sciatica – pain radiating from the back down to the legs, often caused by a disc prolapse (where the disc extends beyond the spinal axis, pressing on the sciatic nerve).

Intervertebral disc degeneration – age-related disc changes that lead to pain.

Spinal stenosis – narrowing of the space around the spine, causing nerve compression.

Various injuries.

First, it’s important to note that while physical therapists are not doctors, they should not be equated with personal trainers. Physical therapists focus on improving the body’s movement and function following injury or illness. They assess the state of the body's nerves, muscles, and bones. A combination of manual therapy and physical exercises is often used to help reduce pain. Physical therapists work closely with pain specialists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons. It is essential for their work to understand and properly assess the causes of a patient's back pain, the treatment applied, and follow other specialists' recommendations to select the most effective movement therapy.

What to Expect During a Physical Therapy Session?

During the first visit, the physical therapist evaluates the patient’s clinical case. They ask questions about past illnesses, injuries, lifestyle, medications, and supplements. Symptoms and potential causes are assessed. Next, the therapist performs a detailed physical analysis, observing how the patient moves and how the muscular system functions. Standard and neurological tests are conducted to understand nerve function.

During the initial consultation, the physical therapist explains the recommended treatment and the expected results, also mentioning any potential treatment risks. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Open communication between the patient and the specialist is key to successful treatment.

Based on your condition, the physical therapist will recommend how many sessions you need and how frequently. This depends on the type and severity of the pain and how well it responds to therapy. You may need anywhere from a few to several sessions to achieve positive results, which also largely depend on your commitment to follow the therapist's instructions and perform the prescribed exercises at home daily.

The specialist typically provides advice on exercises to reduce back pain effectively and ways to improve posture.

Physical Therapy Before and After Spinal Surgery

Neurosurgeons often prefer not to proceed with spinal surgery without first attempting conservative treatments such as pain treatment medications, injections, other minimally invasive interventions, and physical therapy.

A physical therapist often combines different methods during a session. For example, passive manual therapy is combined with active therapy, which includes specific physical or stretching exercises. Physical exercises are a critical component of treating lower back pain, as they strengthen the abdominal and back muscles essential for spinal stability. The stronger these muscles are, the less stress is placed on the vertebrae and discs, reducing the risk of pain or recurrence in the future.

Physical therapy benefits the patient both before and after surgery. Strengthening the muscles and stabilizing the spine can significantly shorten the postoperative recovery period. Preoperative physical therapy is only avoided in cases where exercise is contraindicated, such as fractures, or if surgery is urgent.