Lower Back Pain - Can Physiotherapy Help?

Low back pain (LBP) is very commonly seen in patients as it’s the fifth most common reason to visit a doctor. This is seen in almost 60-80% of people in their lifetime.

What Are The Causes Of Lower Back Pain?

It can be divided into following categories -

1. Radicular Syndromes
2. Radicular Pain e.g. Sciatica
3. Radiculopathy
4. Spinal Stenosis
5. Specific Spinal Pathologies
6. Non-Specific Low Back Pain (NSLBP)

There are various causes of low back pain but often the cause is not clear. There are various factors which can cause or aggravate the low back pain. such as:

• Poor posture
• Lifting objects that are too heavy
• In pregnancy
• Lack of exercise
• Obesity
• Trauma/injury 

Can Physiotherapy Help In Reducing Low Back Pain?

Physiotherapy is very effective in low back pain. A physiotherapist can assess the cause and decide the line of treatment. The earlier you start the treatment better is the prognosis. Physiotherapy not only helps in reducing the pain it can change the pathology so the posture and also chances of recurrence.

Methods of treatment are-

1. Manual therapy (hands-on mobilization of the joints in your back) - skilled physiotherapists use precise hands-on techniques, it relieves stiffness and improves movement of the joints and muscles of your spine.
2. Movement exercises- Most physiotherapists advises these exercises, generally known as the McKenzie method. It decreases radiating or referred pain and restores motion. Physiotherapy is helpful in chronic low back pain also. These first two methods are beneficial in chronic low back pain.
3. Strengthening and core exercises- It mainly works on core stability and endurance, which strengthens your muscles.
4. Educating for prevention- It is very important to take care after the recovery also because there can be a recurrence of it. So, by taking proper care you can avoid the future recurrence of the low back pain.
5. Restoring activity- In minor low back pain, it’s good to get back to your activity as early as possible. Now bed rest for long period is not advised. The more you get active it helps to reduce pain and the recovery is also fast in those cases.

By all these methods, you can easily come over low back pain. But it’s always important to consult a physiotherapist rather than treating by yourself. Because it can’t treat the cause it can just reduce the suffering temporarily. Only a physiotherapist can advise you appropriate exercises which will improve your low back pain. Also, can give you other suggestions which are right and safe for you.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!