If you’re one of the many people who experience lower back pain, you may be looking for effective ways to manage or treat it. Exercise and physical therapy are two well-established options that have been shown to provide numerous benefits for lower back pain management.
Exercise for Lower Back Pain Management:
Exercise is an effective way to reduce lower back pain and improve overall physical health. Regular exercise can help to strengthen the muscles in the back, which can provide more support for the spine and reduce the risk of future injury.
Aerobic exercises, such as walking, cycling, or swimming, can help to improve cardiovascular health and increase blood flow to the muscles in the back. This increased blood flow can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing in the affected area.
In addition to aerobic exercise, specific exercises that target the muscles in the back can be particularly effective for lower back pain management. Examples of these exercises include:
Bridging: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slowly lift your hips off the floor, squeezing your glutes as you do so. Hold for a few seconds, then slowly lower your hips back down.
Cat-Camel: Start on your hands and knees, with your wrists directly under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Slowly arch your back, tucking your chin to your chest as you do so. Then slowly lower your back and lift your head, looking up towards the ceiling.
Bird Dog: Start on your hands and knees, with your wrists directly under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Slowly extend your right arm forward and your left leg back, keeping your hips level. Hold for a few seconds, then switch sides.
Physical Therapy for Lower Back Pain Management:
Physical therapy is a form of treatment that focuses on improving movement and function, as well as reducing pain. Physical therapists use a variety of techniques to help patients manage and reduce lower back pain, including:
- Manual Therapy: This involves hands-on techniques, such as massage or joint mobilization, to help reduce pain and improve your range of motion.
- Therapeutic Exercise: Physical therapists can create a customized exercise program to help strengthen the muscles in the back and improve overall function.
- Education: Physical therapists can teach patients about proper body mechanics and posture to help reduce the risk of future injury.
Physical therapy can be an effective treatment option for many different types of lower back pain, including chronic pain and even pain caused by injury or the initial discomfort from surgery.
So, if you’re tired of feeling like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders (or your lower back, to be more precise), talk to your healthcare provider about whether exercise or physical therapy may be right for you. Trust me, your back will thank you for it. There are two lower back pain treatment options with a proven track record that can provide numerous benefits for pain management and overall physical health.
Read out more for – Lower back treatment