How They Can Help You Relieve Back Pain and Improve Mobility

Back pain is a common disorder in today’s world, caused due to poor posture, careless lifestyle, injury, and chronic trauma. If you ask someone who is suffering from this disorder, he will call it a common problem but will also explain how difficult it is to survive with Back Pain. Millions of people worldwide are struggling with back pain. The question is where back pain stems from? Is it really as trivial a problem as people make out of it? And lastly, how can we cure Back Pain successfully?

We live in an “instant world” where everyone is in a hurry. We are living carelessly and ignoring most of our health issues by calling them trivial. One of the trivial issues according to us is Back Pain. We blame our aging process and our sedentary lifestyle. Women blame it on hormonal changes, menstrual cycles, menopause, and even pregnancy. We have so many excuses to keep ignoring the Back Pain until it becomes a huge problem. Let’s look into this interesting statistical data to understand how trivial this back pain problem is in India:

• An estimated 60-80% of people in India experience back pain at some point in their lives.
• About 20% of the population (Mostly Urban) suffers from chronic back pain, which lasts for more than three months.
• Back Pain is a common disorder in adults aged 30-50 years.
• 20-30% working population faces difficulty being productive due to back pain.
• 50-70% of pregnant women suffer from back pain. The article “Gender Variations in clinical pain experience.” Published under Pain, 65(2-3), shows that women suffer from back pain 1.5 to twice more than men due to hormonal changes, physical changes during pregnancy, menopause, etc.

So, what should be done? Can we live thinking that back pain is part of life? Is it Okay to normalize this disorder and struggle while performing daily tasks?

The simple answer is No. No, we should not ignore it but instead, we should educate ourselves and try to find the perfect solution to cure this disorder. In this blog, we are going to explore how we can successfully treat Back Pain using Physiotherapy. We are also going to discuss other treatment alternatives for Back Pain other than medicines.

Medicine, while providing temporary relief can never address the root cause of pain, which is why more and more people are taking the help of physiotherapy nowadays. Physiotherapy exercises provide a more effective solution by targeting the underlying issues. This blog will address why physiotherapy exercises are effective and how various treatments, including physiotherapy massage machines, belts, and other supportive tools, can assist in managing back pain effectively.

The Effectiveness of Physiotherapy Exercises for Back Pain

Physiotherapy is a widely recognized and popular way to provide an effective treatment for back pain. People prefer to see a well-trained physiotherapist who knows all types of Core-Strengthening Exercises, Stretching Exercises, or Flexibility Exercises for effective pain management. For providing long-lasting pain relief physiotherapists after performing a thorough diagnosis prescribe a combination of targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education. This helps patients by effectively reducing pain, restoring overall function, and preventing recurrence. While treating Back Pain through physiotherapy, the main goal is:

• Effective Pain Relief: Pain Relief is the primary goal of any physiotherapist while designing a treatment plan for Back Pain. Physiotherapists can suggest techniques such as manual therapy, targeted stretching, and the use of heat or cold pads to reduce muscle tension and alleviate pain.
• Strengthening Muscles and Body: Strengthening exercises play a vital role in maintaining better health of upper back and lower back muscles. These exercises are prescribed to support the core which is essential for overall spine health and maintaining proper posture.
• Improving Flexibility: Stretching exercises improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injuries while preparing the body for more complex physical activities. These exercises help reduce muscle stiffness and enhance mobility.
• Correcting Posture through Education: Physiotherapists educate the patients about their condition to help them participate actively during therapy sessions and to make them aware of precautions to help prevent further strain on the back.
• Personalized Care: Physiotherapists after performing a thorough diagnosis prescribe personalized tailored solutions to alleviate back pain as they understand the uniqueness of every condition. This personalization proves especially helpful for senior citizens, athletes, and pregnant

Other Treatments for Back Pain in Physiotherapy

While physical exercises are a core part of physiotherapy to treat back pain there are several more advanced options. Based on the severity of the pain, sometimes physiotherapists prescribe using massage machines, pain-relieving belts, yoga asanas, hot pads, and orthopedic pillows to manage back pain effectively. let us explore all these treatments in detail.

1. Targeted Treatment Using Physiotherapy Massage Machines for Back Pain

Nowadays with the rise of technology, pain management techniques also get advanced. Physiotherapists with physical exercises and manual therapy suggest to use of physiotherapy machines.  These massage machines can effectively alleviate moderate to chronic back pain if used by a skilled physiotherapist. Some of the popular physiotherapy machines include:

• TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): This device stimulates the release of endorphins through mild electrical pulses to the affected area and blocking pain signals.
• Ultrasound Therapy: This therapy is for chronic back pain. Ultrasound waves penetrate deep into the affected tissues and promote healthy blood flow. This therapy is an amazing therapy for people seeking speedy recovery.
• Traction Machines: These machines help in stretching the spine to reduce pressure on the vertebrae and relieve pain. These Machines help treat conditions like herniated discs

2. Significance of Physiotherapy Belt for Back Pain

• A physiotherapy belt or a lumbar support belt is a crucial tool for managing back pain. These belts provide additional support to the lower back and reduce strain on the spine.
• These belts are prescribed by physiotherapists to help patients maintain proper posture.
• Physiotherapy belts are beneficial and popular among weight-lifters because lifting heavy weights puts extra stress on the back.
• Physiotherapist guidance is suggested to reap maximum benefits out of Physiotherapy Belts. They help you correct the posture without feeling the need to depend on belts.

3. The Benefits of Using a Heating Pad for Back Pain

Heat therapy is a simple yet effective way to relieve back pain. Using a heating pad can be particularly beneficial after a physiotherapy session or when experiencing acute pain.
Heating pads can be applied to the affected area to:

• Relax Muscles: Heat helps to relax tense muscles, reducing stiffness and alleviating pain.
• Improve Circulation: The warmth from the pad increases blood flow to the area, promoting healing.
• Reduce Inflammation: Heat therapy can help reduce inflammation, which is often a contributing factor to back pain.

4. The Importance of Orthopedic Pillow for Back Pain

• Pillows are used widely by people who have mild to severe symptoms of back pain as an essential tool for maintaining proper alignment of the spine during sleep.
• For patients suffering from back pain, a pillow that provides maximum support to the neck and lower back can be helpful and speed up the recovery process.
• Orthopedic pillows, designed specifically for back pain, reduce strain, and manage pain while maintaining proper spine alignment.

5. Asanas for Back Pain

Yoga asanas (poses) are ancient practices that when incorporated with physiotherapy exercises can be an excellent weapon to fight those uncomfortable sensations of pain. These asanas, when practiced regularly and consistently, can help maintain joint flexibility, strengthen the back muscles, and improve the overall posture of the body, all of which contribute to effective back pain management. Some of the most vital asanas for Back Pain are:

• Child’s Pose (Balasana): Child Pose is a type of gentle stretch that helps to relieve tension in the lower back.
• Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana): This flowing yoga asana is the combination of movement between two poses that helps to stretch and strengthen the spine.
• Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)**: This is a type of backbend that stretches the muscles of the chest, shoulders, and abdomen while focusing on the core to strengthen the lower back.
• Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): Adho Mukha Svanasana stretches the hamstrings and calves which further helps reduce tension in the lower back.

Managing Back Pain during Pregnancy

Managing back pain during pregnancy is important for maintaining comfort and overall mobility as the body undergoes significant hormonal and physical changes. Physiotherapy exercises offer a safe and effective way to alleviate pain, improve flexibility, and prevent it from worsening. Exercises suggested by physiotherapists to manage back pain effectively are:

• Core Strengthening Exercises: Exercises like Pelvic Tilts are suggested by physiotherapists to gently stabilize the spine and to reduce strain on the lower back while focusing on the deep abdominal muscles.
• Stretching Exercises: Stretching Exercises like Cat-Cow Stretches are crucial for maintaining flexibility and relieving muscle tension. These exercises focus on gentle stretches for the lower back, hips, and legs to help ease the discomfort associated with the additional weight and physical changes.
• Ergonomic Advice: Physiotherapists may also recommend using a supportive chair, avoiding standing for long periods, or other specific postural adjustments and ergonomic advice to further alleviate back pain.

Managing Back Pain After a C-Section

• Back pain after a C-section is a common occurrence that many new mothers face. Physiotherapy exercises can be extremely beneficial to help you recover fast while addressing this pain.
• Gentle exercises are suggested that focus on core strengthening, posture correction, and improving flexibility can help alleviate any discomfort or pain.
• Physiotherapists also prescribe using supportive tools like a physiotherapy belt or a heating pad to provide extra relief from back pain.

Conclusion

Physiotherapy exercises are powerful therapies for managing back pain and improving muscle mobility. These exercises offer a long-term solution for Back Pain as these are specifically tailored after performing thorough diagnosis to address the root causes of pain. These exercises strengthen muscles, and improve flexibility, these exercises offer effective pain management. Besides physiotherapy exercises, the use of physiotherapy massage machines, supportive belts, heating pads, and yoga asanas can enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. Whether you’re dealing with back pain after a C-section, during pregnancy, or simply looking to improve your body posture to prevent future issues, a comprehensive approach suggested by physiotherapy can help you achieve lasting relief from pain and improved quality of life.