Study: Individualized Physical Therapy Helps Ease Lower Back Pain
A new study reports that a customized physical therapy program is an excellent way to treat lower back pain and improve functional ability. Lower back pain is any pain or discomfort experienced in the bottom region of the spine. It can be caused by sprains and strains, intervertebral disc degeneration, herniated or ruptured discs, radiculopathy, sciatica, spondylolisthesis, traumatic injury, spinal stenosis and skeletal irregularities. Other risk factors include lack of regular exercises, obesity, pregnancy, genetics, occupational and mental health factors and backpack overload in children. Both men and women are equally affected by low back pain. The first experience of acute low back pain is typically between the ages of 20 and 40 and it becomes more common with advancing age. It is reported that lower back pain affects about 31 million Americans experience at any given time, and that it is the second most common reason for medical visits. Symptoms of Low Back Pain Achy, dull pain Muscle spasms Soreness upon touch Pain that moves down the leg or to the groin, buttock or upper thigh Stiffness and difficulty moving Trouble sleeping Tingling Numbness or weakness New Study says Customized Physical Therapy can help Lower Back Pain A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland showed that a combination of manual therapy and exercise is the best way to reduce pain in the lower back. This combination reduced the disability and significantly improved patients’ functional abilities.
Researchers identified 70 patients who had been diagnosed with movement control impairment and divided them into two groups. Both groups were given five physical therapy sessions for three months. The first group was given a personally tailored exercise regimen targeting their specific condition, while the other group received a generic exercise program. Each physical therapy session also included brief manual therapy. After the sessions, patients were asked to report on their condition by filling out a questionnaire that tracked their level of disability caused by back pain. Each patient’s situation was observed after a three-month physical therapy period and again after 12 months. The team found that the group doing personally tailored exercises was statistically and clinically better-off than that doing generic exercises. It was also found that the three-month physical therapy period significantly improved the functional ability of both groups and that the results endured at a 12-month follow-up. Make Sure to Get the Treatment from a Reliable Health Care Center The University of Eastern Finland study found that only 15% of patients suffering from lower back pain got a specific diagnosis, which means up to 85% of patients have to make do with a non-specific one. Low back pain can be due to complex causes and there are many structures in the spine that can cause pain. Specific diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. That’s why it’s important to get treatment at a reliable health care center. If you have chronic back pain, consult a physical therapy rehabilitation specialist at an established multispecialty center in Brooklyn, NY. In a reliable center, a team of healthcare professionals will work as a team to diagnose the root cause of your condition using variety of evidence-based modalities, including MRI in deserving cases. Their physical therapy programs include a variety of modalities such as massage and myofascial release, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), ice or heat to eliminate muscle spasm and inflammation, ultrasound to treat soft tissue injuries, traction, rehabilitation and pain management. You will be evaluated thoroughly to identify your specific rehabilitation needs and provided with a customized treatment program to suit your needs and improve your functional abilities.