How A Physical Therapist Can Help With Chronic Back Pain

If you’ve been dealing with chronic back pain for years and haven’t found a solution yet, consider working with a physical therapist to get rid of chronic back pain once and for all. With the knowledge and support of a physical therapist who is familiar with chronic back pain, together you can create a treatment plan that targets your specific back issue.

While OTC options such as back pain gel or Ibuprofen Tablet can be helpful in getting quick relief from the symptoms of back pain, these treatments are just short-term and don’t address or fix the underlying issue that is causing you chronic pain.

What Is Chronic Back Pain?

Chronic back pain is pain that lasts at least12 weeks or more. A person with chronic back pain might say that their back feels better or worse from day to day, but the pain is constant and debilitating. People suffering from chronic back pain struggle with simple day-to-day tasks at home and work.

 Back Pain Symptoms

Back pain symptoms can range from a muscle aching to a stabbing, burning, or shooting sensation. The pain can also radiate or shoot down a leg. Back pain is usually aggravated when standing, sitting, bending, or lifting.

Causes of Chronic Back Pain   

People often think that a single injury or event is to reason for their chronic back pain. However, the truth is that there may not always be one specific cause. More likely, there are a few underlying conditions that are contributing to chronic pain.

• Muscle atrophy in the back
• Bad posture
• Genetics and aging
• Injuries
• Overuse and repetition of everyday activities

Three Ways Physical Therapy Can Alleviate Chronic Back Pain

Working with a physical therapist can provide permanent back pain relief to those suffering from chronic back pain. Oftentimes, patients can avoid surgery and won’t need to rely on prescription or OTC painkillers if they follow the physical therapy treatment and plan. 

1. Passive Physical Therapy

Physical therapy doesn’t only consist of exercise. Passive Physical Therapy involves non-physical treatments which can help relax a patient’s muscles and reduce pain. Chronic back pain, may involve cold and hot packs applied directly to affected areas, electrical stimulation of the muscle structures, and more.

2. Active Physical Therapy

Your Active Physical Therapy plan will include specific stretches and exercises to strengthen the muscle groups that support your back and core. Stretching will help your body regain the mobility and flexibility that you’ve lost as a result of your back pain. 

3. Long-Term Support

It takes time, dedication, and patience to alleviate chronic back pain with physical therapy through stretching and exercise. It’s easy to get discouraged if you try to do it on your own which is why working with a physical therapist can help you stay focused and progress. A physical therapist can provide psychological and emotional motivation during your treatment journey until your back problem is a thing of the past. 

Other Treatments for Chronic Back Pain

Physical therapy is a long-term treatment. You will feel improvement and relief little by little as you continue to do physical therapy. In the meantime, you still require some pain relief.

There are many OTC medications and treatments available at Online4Pharmacy which can provide quick pain relief. Some common options are Ibuprofen Cream or back pain gels such as Voltarol 3 Back Pain Relief Gel. Check out our online pharmacy today!