Are You Considering Back Surgery? First, Try PT.
Back pain is one of the most incapacitating conditions. Back pain, which can range from a dull ache to excruciating pain, can prevent you from performing simple daily tasks that you once enjoyed.
If it is preventing you from doing the things you love, you’re not alone. Nearly 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point. Many people believe that surgery is the best option for relieving it. However, this treatment option is invasive, expensive, and can lead to months of recovery.
Fortunately, surgery is not your only option for such relief. A physical therapist can help treat your pain and in some cases, help you avoid surgery altogether. To learn more about this effective and natural treatment option, contact Balance in Motion today.
The benefits of PT before surgery
If you are already planning on surgery to help alleviate it, you may already have a recovery plan that includes Physical Therapy. What you may not know is that physical therapy is a great way to prepare for surgery as well.
Not only can it improve your cardiovascular function, physical therapy can strengthen the muscles and muscle attachments in areas that will already be weakened by surgery. Even a few sessions with a physical therapist have been shown to reduce postoperative care by more than 25 percent. Since most back surgery procedures require long periods of recovery, the idea of cutting it down by a fourth is appealing.
A physical therapist will evaluate your current condition and pain level. They will consult with your surgeon for more information and any imaging studies that are available. The physical therapist will then create a treatment plan aimed at immediate pain relief and strengthening the body in preparation for surgery.
If you will need the use of your arms for balance, the physical therapist will help you strengthen your upper body in preparation. If you need better core strength to hold the structures of your spine in place, the physical therapist will work on strengthening your muscles without causing additional damage.
Preventing injury with PT
It is important to remember that a physical therapist is an expert in the way the body moves. We have a natural tendency to rest when we are in pain, rather than move. In reality, many people who experience back pain need to learn how to move better.
Physical Therapy can help you regain lost movement in your back and legs while decreasing your pain levels. A physical therapist can also show you how to prevent further injury in your daily life by teaching you how to bend, lift, stretch, sit, stand, or walk in ways that relieve your back pain.
Can I find relief in Physical Therapy?
Many people associate physical therapy with a post-surgical treatment plan. While it does play a vital role in helping patients recover once they have been under the knife, it is also an incredible tool for pain relief. A physical therapist can treat acute pain with manual therapies such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation, and massage.
However, what most people don’t realize is that pain relief often requires strengthening the structures around the injury, not just treating the injury itself. If you are experiencing it, you may need to strengthen your core muscles in your abdomen and legs to help your back find relief.
This process is not a fast one, but a physical therapist can show you exercises that are aimed at relieving your pain.
Physical therapy: a safe, natural, and effective solution
According to research on back pain, physical therapy treatments are effective for acute and chronic conditions. Manual therapy, joint mobilization manipulation, exercise instruction, education, and techniques such as the McKenzie Method and therapeutic yoga are examples of physical therapy treatments for it All of these have been shown to help relieve pain and restore function.
Physical therapist evaluate your specific condition to identify and address all contributing factors of your back pain. Rather than focusing on a single source of pain, your physical therapist will address all of them.
At our clinic, our physical therapist are experienced in hands-on intervention and exercise selection. So you can be sure you’ll receive the most comprehensive and appropriate treatment plan to help you resolve your pain and/or restore your function.
Request an appointment today!
Whether you are considering surgery or already have a surgical date, call our Balance in Motion office to schedule a free physical therapy consultation and start experiencing relief.