Physical Therapy Advice For Lower Back Pain

What is the best way to make the most out of physical therapy?

Going for physical therapy is not cheap. When you need physical therapy for lower back pain or other health concerns, it is important to get the most out of the treatment.

If this is your first time going to physical therapy, here is an easy-to-follow guide to ensure your treatment is successful.

Be Honest With Your Physiotherapist

Just as it is important to be honest with your family doctor, it is important to be straight with your physio.

Tell them where it hurts. For instance, if you are consulting a physio about lower back pain, but experience pain in other parts of your body, let them know.

Our joints and soft tissue including ligaments, tendons and muscles are interlinked. Pain in one part of the body can lead to a reaction in another part.

Being honest also helps achieving the goals you want and need. This helps a physiotherapist to set up the right treatment plan for you.

Stay Active and Present

Far too many people undergoing physiotherapy don’t realize they are part of the solution.

From the start, you need to take on board you may have to do exercises as advised by the physio. Often you are taught special techniques when it comes to dealing with lower back pain.

Techniques and exercises involve anything from breathing exercises to improving your posture. If you are overweight, your physiotherapist probably recommends you try to lose weight.

Stick To The Plan

Sticking to the treatment is crucial.

When your physio tells you to wear a back support for a certain amount of hours a day, follow the advice.

They may also talk to you about other alternative solutions. If you are not using an ergonomic chair when working at home, but they recommend one, you should accept their advice.

Lower back pain and bad posture are two problems go hand in hand. They are often a result of our modern increasingly sedentary lifestyles.

What’s Your Body Telling You?

When was the last time you listened to your body?

When your body responds with pain when you do a certain physical activity, acknowledge what it is telling you.

Why does it hurt? Is it hurting because you are overexerting yourself or sitting in the wrong position?

Next time you visit your physio, tell them if you experienced pain or discomfort since the last session.

If you are experiencing pain when not mobile, you may need a support to help you from a good quality posture corrector.

What Is Proper Form?

Proper form is doing an exercise in the right way.

For instance, if your physio has asked you to stand up when working on your core exercises, don’t sit on the floor.

There is a very good reason why your physio asked you to stand up. It could have to do with better alignment of the spinal column.

Exercising At Home

It is likely your physio will give you “homework.”

As mentioned, participating in your recovery is important. Treatment time is reduced and you save money.

If you want to get better faster, make sure that you take any at-home exercises seriously. Stick to the program and schedule.

Not Sure - Please Ask?

There is no harm in asking.

If you are not sure about how to do an exercise or why your physio is recommending a certain therapy, don’t hesitate to ask.

Knowing and understanding your treatment plan leads to a faster recovery process. Positive changes are also far more likely to stay in place.

Lifestyle Changes

Making lifestyle changes is not always easy, but are often a part of physiotherapy.

Yes, it may involve getting more physically active. It can also mean not sitting at your desk all day.Taking frequent breaks and standing up to stretch is part of making lifestyle changes.

Getting more active and cross training are probably two issues your physio will address with you.

Persistence Beats Resistance

Undergoing physiotherapy for lower back pain is often challenging.

Your back and rest of your body is probably “comfortable” in a certain position and alignment. That is great but it has clearly led you to seek professional advice.

Getting comfortable again and accepting a new “normal” takes time. Be patient with yourself but don’t forget persistance matters. That is what going to give you the result you need and put an end to your pain.

Follow Ups

Follow ups are part of physiotherapy.

Once you have experienced lower back pain, it may be a problem for the rest of your life.

As soon as you feel pain, head back to your phsysio.

Our physical health is often a work in progress. Permanent and long term changes don’t happen overnight. They may take weeks or even longer.

Heading back for regular check ups is the best way forward. Smaller adjustments and mini therapy sessions are better than long treatment plans.

When you finish your last session, asking for a follow up appointment as per the advice of your physio is a smart way to invest in your long term health.

If your physio recommends long term remedies such as support belts or more ergonomic furniture, make sure you follow the advice. You will be grateful for the advice later.

In Conclusion

Thousands of people around the world visit physiotherapists for help with lower back pain every day.

It is one of the more frequent health problems we face today. Never be afraid to ask for help or worried about seeing a health professional. Even if it hurts a lot, there is likely to be a fix as long as you and your physio work towards the same goal.

Brought to you by Your Back Pain Relief