In the old days, when your back was hurting, your doctor told you to rest until it felt better. However a lot has been learned about proper treatment for back pain since those days, and gone are the days of prolonged bed rest. New studies show that proper movements, posture and a gradual return to activities, has been found to be much more successful to control back pain. This allows you faster pain relief and a return to normal pain-free activities.
Bed rest and inactivity have been show to actually weaken muscles and bones, whereas exercise in general increases strength and flexibility of the muscles, aiding in healing through increased blood flow to the affected area.
It has also been found that exercise and aerobic activity, like walking, assists in bringing nutrients to structures in the spine. Some of these structures, like the discs between your vertebrae, have a poor blood supply and rely on your body’s movements and aerobic activity to circulate nutrients. When a person is inactive, less of these nutrients are able to get to the structures in the spine to keep them healthy.
In our SPINE program we look at your individual health history, as well as your current mobility level and interests. Based on this, our physical therapists put together an individualized exercise program specifically for you. They will help guide you back into your previous activity level without pain.
In addition to exercise, physical therapy utilizes a variety of gentle modalities such as ultrasound, electric stimulation, massage, and heat or cold therapy to help relieve muscular spasms. Our program will first relieve your pain and then provide exercises to restore your strength and instruct you in how to prevent your symptoms from recurring.
If you’re looking to get back to your life and get rid of back pain today, click to make an appointment for physical therapy with us now!
Dr. Asha Koshy is a Physical Therapist and co-owner of Complete Physical Rehabilitation in Jersey City and Elizabeth, NJ.
She is a McKenzie certified back pain Physical Therapist specialist, an LSVT BIG certified specialist for Parkinson’s Disease, and also specializes in treating Vestibular conditions relating to vertigo, dizziness, and other balance disorders.
