Did you know that over 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point in their lives? With a prevalence rate that high, it’s no wonder that one of the most common complaints from patients seeking physiotherapy is that their lower back hurts.
Seeking out a clinician for your back pain is a great place to get started on the path to recovery. In an initial appointment, your Lifemark clinician will thoroughly assess, diagnose and lay out a plan of care and provide initial treatment.
This means that you’ll walk out of an assessment with a clear plan to relieve your pain, feeling better, and all without an overly invasive procedure.
How can physiotherapy help your back?
Clinicians work with you to create an individualized treatment plan. That being said, there are four main components that physiotherapy treatment for lower back pain is likely to include:
- Posture correction to assess and address how you stand, sit, and walk to balance pressures placed on your back and hips throughout daily activities
- Manual therapy can help with muscles and joints that are stiff and tight to improve mobility and reduce undue strain on you back
- Movement activities or exercises customized to your condition, diagnosis and overall recovery goals are key to getting you back to your necessary and chosen activities
- Progressive strengthening exercises to help improve back and hip muscle strength, stability and coordination to restore function and prevent reoccurrence/re-injury
Research has shown that the old belief that resting until the pain is gone is not the best thing you can do when dealing with back pain and too much rest can actually be harmful.
Seeking care with knowledgeable clinicians can help. Physiotherapists are highly trained and experienced in body mechanics, and will be able to help diagnose your condition and start treating it.
If you’ve got lower back pain, head to our Locations page to see a clinician and get on the road to recovery.
This blog originally appeared on Lifemark.ca and was written by Krista McIntyre.