Back pain therapy comes in two different forms: Passive and Active.

Passive physical therapy involves work that is done to the body. Examples of passive therapy includes:

• Heat Therapy. When heat is placed on the affected area, it induces vasodilation, which increases blood flow in the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients. It soothes the muscles to relieve spasms, tension, and stiffness. Heat can be administered in the form of steamed towels, heated water bottles, or cloth-covered bags of beans or rice.
• Cold or Ice Therapy. Placing ice on pain may seem counterintuitive, but ice is a great form of back pain therapy for new or acute pain. It reduces inflammation and slows nerves from firing pain signals. Cold therapy (AKA: cryotherapy) can be delivered through ice or cold gel packs, chilled water bottles, or cold water circulation machines. BE mindful to apply cold therapy through a layer of towel or cloth to prevent skin damage.
• Ultrasound Therapy. Using high-frequency sound waves through a probe placed on the skin, ultrasound therapy can safely penetrate into the muscles and tissues to provide back pain relief. Ultrasound therapy initiates vasodilation or relaxation of blood vessels which promotes improved circulation into the tissue being treated and can relieve pain. Physical therapists and chiropractors commonly utilize ultrasound therapy to treat back pain.
• Electrical Stimulation Therapy.  Electrical currents are applied to the tissues affected to relieve stiffness, improve mobility, and interfere with nerve signals that cause pain. Electrical stimulation therapy is said to help release natural endorphins and other naturally occurring pain relievers in the body for relief. A commonly used form of this therapy is called TENS which is short for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
• Laser Therapy and Light Therapy. In more recent years the application of low level lasers and LED light therapy has become more popular in many clinics. Certain wavelengths of powerful light sources have been shown to stimulate increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in the tissues deep under the area treated. ATP is the body’s energy source that drives all cellular functions in the body. By increasing ATP production, therapists use laser therapy to improve circulation, speed the healing process, and reduce pain.

Active physical therapy involves progressing through a series of exercising and strengthening activities that the patient does on their own or with the help of a trained professional. This will usually commence gently, through long walks or water aerobics. As time and healing progress, the activities become more intensified as tolerated to build muscles, improve mobility and stabilize joints, which ultimately help prevent your spine from experiencing pain later on.