Low back pain doesn’t have to be crippling. Many patients who suffer from low back pain are often referred to physical therapy for an initial nonsurgical treatment option before considering other more aggressive treatments. The goals of physical therapy in regards to lower back pain are to decrease back pain, increase function and teach the patient a maintenance program to prevent future back problems.
How Exercise Will Help Lower Back Pain
Most lower back pain is caused by lack of support from the core muscles. Core muscles are made up of abdominal and lower back muscles that all support the spine. By strengthening these muscles, a patient experiencing back pain should be able to develop a belt of muscles supporting their spine. Most exercise programs created in physical therapy will incorporate some of the following forms of exercise to help strengthen the lower back and core muscles:
1. Stretching.
Proper stretching of the muscles along with active exercise will help maintain or rebuild normal range of motion. Low back pain patients should focus on stretching the lower back muscles, abdominal muscles, hips and legs slowly and gradually in static motions.
2. Core strengthening exercises.
These are specific exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles and low back muscles (erector spinae) to provide the aforementioned ‘belt of muscle’ around the spine. These exercises typically include:
3. Dynamic stabilization exercises.
Many dynamic exercises may include the use of stability balls, balance exercises, or more specific stabilizing exercises. These types of exercises will strengthen the secondary muscles of the spine and support it through various ranges of motion.
4. Aquatic Therapy.
Water supports the body and is low impact minimizing the effects of gravity and easing the pressure on sore muscles and joints. Aquatic therapy can be very helpful for elderly patients and disabled patients who may not have the strength to do some of the exercises outside the aquatic pool.
Try this: 10 Things to Stop Doing if You Have Low Back Pain
- Source Cypress Creek Therapy
How Exercise Will Help Lower Back Pain
Most lower back pain is caused by lack of support from the core muscles. Core muscles are made up of abdominal and lower back muscles that all support the spine. By strengthening these muscles, a patient experiencing back pain should be able to develop a belt of muscles supporting their spine. Most exercise programs created in physical therapy will incorporate some of the following forms of exercise to help strengthen the lower back and core muscles:
1. Stretching.
Proper stretching of the muscles along with active exercise will help maintain or rebuild normal range of motion. Low back pain patients should focus on stretching the lower back muscles, abdominal muscles, hips and legs slowly and gradually in static motions.
2. Core strengthening exercises.
These are specific exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles and low back muscles (erector spinae) to provide the aforementioned ‘belt of muscle’ around the spine. These exercises typically include:
- Sit-ups, crunches, abdominal machines, and leg raises done properly are great core strengtheners.
- Low back exercises (hyperextensions), which can be performed on machines or by simply lying on the stomach and slowly raising the chest off the ground.
- ‘Good-mornings’ are also an exercise to strengthen the lower back muscles. This exercise requires standing with legs straight and shoulder width apart, with a broom-stick or weighted bar across the shoulders. The patient then slowly bends forward until the face is parallel to the floor and then raises back up. Very similar to just bending to touch the toes except there is weight across the shoulders
3. Dynamic stabilization exercises.
Many dynamic exercises may include the use of stability balls, balance exercises, or more specific stabilizing exercises. These types of exercises will strengthen the secondary muscles of the spine and support it through various ranges of motion.
4. Aquatic Therapy.
Water supports the body and is low impact minimizing the effects of gravity and easing the pressure on sore muscles and joints. Aquatic therapy can be very helpful for elderly patients and disabled patients who may not have the strength to do some of the exercises outside the aquatic pool.
Try this: 10 Things to Stop Doing if You Have Low Back Pain
- Source Cypress Creek Therapy
