Physiotherapy and Exercise Therapy for Spinal Health

Table of Content

Understanding Physiotherapy and Its Benefits

Physiotherapy helps people of all ages who are in pain, injured, ill, or disabled. Physiotherapists help to promote movement and function back into the body using a range of techniques, which can include manual therapy, massage, exercise therapy, and acupuncture. Critically, they can also provide advice and education. All of these interventions are recommended by national and international guidelines.

The Role of Physiotherapists in Healthcare

Physiotherapists are trained healthcare professionals who work in many healthcare areas, including neurology, orthopaedics, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation (bones, joints, and muscles). They can help if you have had an injury, experience pain, and want to get back to an active lifestyle.

Physiotherapy for Low Back Pain

Back pain is very common and affects 8 out of 10 people during their lifetime. Most people recover quickly from back pain if it is properly managed. It is the most common reason people are unable to work and unable to do their activities. Back pain can often come back during one's lifetime.

It is well known that musculoskeletal physiotherapy and education work well for managing back pain.

Importance of Exercise in Managing Back Pain

Doing exercise and staying active are important ways to treat and prevent back pain from becoming a more serious problem. It is important to keep moving, which prevents stiffness, tightness, and more pain.

Manual Therapy Techniques Used by Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists use many manual techniques, including manipulation and mobilization, which work on releasing stiff joints. This helps to get more blood flow to an injured part of the body and helps recovery. Manual therapy is only recommended alongside exercise.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Back Pain

The use of alternative treatments for back pain is increasing and becoming more popular. Some of these treatments include yoga, acupuncture, massage, herbal medicine, homeopathy, meditation, mindfulness, Tai Chi, and many more. Some are more effective preventative measures (e.g. Tai Chi) and others are more directed to treatment (e.g., Pilates).

Massage and Its Benefits for Back Pain

Physiotherapists use massage to release tight muscles and take pressure off stiff and painful joints. Having flexible muscles and joints is important to reduce the chance of injury, plus recovery is faster.

Acupuncture in Physiotherapy

Many physiotherapists also use acupuncture, which means inserting very thin needles into muscles or tendons. This acts through the nervous system to relax those specific areas.

Learn more about Acupuncture

Yoga for Back Pain Relief

Yoga is a type of physical exercise and also a form of mind-body medicine. It consists of various postures combined with breathing techniques which can help create inner, physical, and emotional balance. Yoga also has the potential to alleviate pain.

References

EUROSPINE is a society of spine specialists of various disciplines with a large knowledge of spine pathologies. All well-known and accepted treatment modalities for spine pathologies are represented by the members of the society. However, the Society cannot accept any responsibility for the use of the information provided; the user and their health care professionals must retain responsibility for their health care management.