What To Expect at Physical Therapy for Lower Back Pain: A Brief Guide

Physical therapy can be a valuable tool in alleviating back pain. Schedule an appointment today by calling (718) 550-2056.

You’ve probably heard your parents or grandparents complain of back pain at some point. Whether resulting from an injury or old age, even brief back pain can be debilitating.

Lower back pain is common among older adults but can occur at any age. However, many people wonder whether physical therapy for lower back pain is an effective treatment.

Participating in physical therapy in Brooklyn for lower back pain provides many benefits. From alleviating your pain to preventing more serious injuries, seeking a physical therapist might be the best option for your lower back pain. Call Metro Healthcare Partners today to set up an initial appointment. 

Lower Back Pain at a Glance

According to Lucas et al., a staggering 39% of Americans experienced back pain at some point in 2019. Among those studied, most were in the 35-year-old and older demographic.

This figure demonstrates that back pain is not something to ignore. Understanding the scope of lower back pain and when to get help can avert more serious issues that require complex solutions.

What Is Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain includes any abnormal pain between the lower ribs and the upper buttocks crease. Symptoms of lower back pain can vary. The pain ranges from dull, sharp, or burning sensations in the lower back region.

The three types of lower back pain include:

• Acute: symptoms lasting less than three months
• Recurrent: lower back pain that goes away within the acute window but comes back soon after
• Chronic: symptoms and pain lasting longer than three months

Lower Back Pain Causes

Lower back pain has many potential causes. Whether you suffered a car accident or athletic injury, you could experience lower back pain.

Other common causes include:

• Muscle strain or sprain
• Bulging or herniated disk
• Arthritis
• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis
• Osteoporosis

Diagnosing Lower Back Pain

When lower back pain starts, it won’t take you very long to notice. While many people think you need an X-ray or CT scan for diagnosis, it actually doesn’t require these measures.

According to the Georgetown Health Policy Institute, 65 million Americans report a recent episode of back pain. Because of its prevalence, lower back pain treatment focuses less on root causes and more on pain alleviation.

When To Seek Physical Therapy

Most people are not sure when to seek treatment for their back pain. However, it’s never too early to visit a practitioner and discuss physical therapy for lower back pain. Proactively treating lower back pain prevents more serious issues that require longer-term or invasive solutions.

Preventing Lower Back Pain

Contrary to popular belief, you can reduce your chances of lower back pain. By taking charge of your joint and skeletomuscular health early, you can prevent visits to a physical therapist for chronic low back pain.

The best ways to prevent lower back pain include:

• Stay active
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Weight lift with good form
• Avoid contorting your spinal cord
• Break up long periods of sitting with short walks
• Stretch and strengthen your back with a flexibility exercise

Physical Therapy for Lower Back Pain

According to Penn Medicine, about 80 to 90% of physical therapy patients with acute lower back pain felt better after six weeks. With metrics like these, physical therapy remains the preferred treatment for lower back pain.

Can a Physical Therapist Cure Lower Back Pain?

Unfortunately, most causes of lower back pain don’t have a cure. However, with acute and recurrent pain, physical therapists have high success rates of significantly decreasing or eliminating pain. While chronic sufferers might always deal with some lower back pain, physical therapy still helps significantly.

Types of Back Pain Treatment

There are a few different types of lower back pain treatment, including:

• Manual therapy: massaging, physical therapy, and chiropractic techniques
• Exercise therapy: using exercise to strengthen the muscles around the back
• Heat-and-ice therapy: applying heating and cooling agents for temporary pain relief
• How Physical Therapists Help

Physical therapists mostly offer manual therapy techniques to improve pain outcomes for patients. Utilizing flexibility exercises, strengthening, and body repositioning, physical therapists both alleviate pain and teach patients how to use their bodies more effectively to reduce additional injuries.

Lower Back Pain Relief Stretches

One of the most popular treatment methods is lower back pain relief stretches. Popular stretches like cat-cow, knee-to-chest, and child’s pose can relieve pressure and pain in the lower back. Coupled with strengthening exercises led by a physical therapist, these tools offer excellent results.

Alleviate Lower Back Pain With Top-Rated Physical Therapists From Metro Healthcare Partners

Getting physical therapy to address your lower back pain can help prevent serious issues that require more drastic procedures. Our top-rated physical therapists from Metro Healthcare Partners can address your lower back pain or accident injuries.

Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.

For more information about physical therapy for lower back pain, call (718) 550-2056 and schedule an appointment with Metro Healthcare Partners today.

Let us show you how physical therapy after an accident can help boost your recovery.

FAQs About Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain

What Causes Lower Back Pain?

Some of the most common causes of low back pain include obesity, old age, traumatic accidents, athletic injuries, arthritis, and osteoporosis. 

Is Physical Therapy Adequate for Lower Back Pain?

In many cases, physical therapy serves as an adequate treatment for lower back pain. Seeking physical therapy early for this issue can prevent worse problems.

How Long Does Physical Therapy Take for Lower Back Pain?

Depending on the severity of your lower back pain, physical therapy treatment lengths can range from three to nine months. Performing the right amount of physical therapy for your injury is the most crucial step to recovery.

What Exercises Comprise Physical Therapy for Lower Back Pain?

Many different flexibility exercises encompass physical therapy for lower back pain. Some popular stretches include cat-cow, child’s pose, and the knee-to-chest stretch.