How We Treat Low Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common medical conditions affecting people today. In fact, it is estimated that up to 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point in their lives and is one of the most common problems we treat in the clinic every day. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, muscle imbalances, faulty movement patterns, injuries, external life stressors, and so much more. Fortunately, physical therapy is an effective treatment option for low back pain. At One to One Physical Therapy, we typically treat low back pain with a combination of strength training, stretching, manual therapy, and movement pattern corrections to help you get back to doing the things you love.

Strength Training

Strength training is an essential component of physical therapy for low back pain. Strong muscles can help support the spine, improving posture and reducing stress on the lower back. Simple mat-level exercises are used to build a foundation to support more functional compound lifts that people are often more familiar with. Simple mat-level exercises targeting the hip, back, and core muscles, such as planks, side planks, and bird dogs, can help strengthen very specific muscles that support the spine. These simple exercises help build the foundation to progress toward more functional exercises such as deadlifts, squats, lunges, and hip thrusts which are critical to improving resilience of the low back and reducing pain in the long term.

Stretching

Stretching is another critical component of physical therapy for low back pain. Stiff muscles can contribute to low back pain by altering movement patterns and putting stress on the lower back. Stretching can help improve flexibility, reduce muscle tension, and improve overall range of motion. Some common stretches that are beneficial for low back pain include hamstring stretches and hip flexor stretches, although your program will be individualized based on your specific needs.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a hands-on treatment method that can help alleviate low back pain. Some common types of manual therapy for low back pain include soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and joint mobilizations. These techniques can help reduce muscle tension and joint stiffness, to help you move better. Although hands-on treatments are not one of the primary methods we use at One to One to manage low back pain, all of our physical therapists are experts in deciding which cases are most appropriate for this type of intervention.

Movement Pattern Correction

Movement pattern correction is the process of identifying and correcting movement faults that may be contributing to low back pain. For example, poor posture or improper lifting techniques can put excessive stress on the lower back and contribute to acute or chronic low back pain. Your physical therapist will help identify these movement patterns and work with you to develop a plan to correct them. This will likely involve specific corrective exercises, strengthening certain muscle groups, improving flexibility, or learning new movement techniques to use during activities that come up often during your day or while performing movements that reproduce your pain.

In conclusion, physical therapy is a highly effective treatment option for a vast majority of low back pain complaints. Strength training, stretching, manual therapy, and movement pattern correction are all important components of a comprehensive physical therapy program for low back pain. If you are experiencing low back pain, do not hesitate to schedule a consult with your physical therapist at One to One to develop a personalized treatment plan to help alleviate your pain and improve your overall quality of life!