Back pain can be a real drag. In fact, almost a third of Canadians say that back pain is limiting their lives. If you’ve got persistent back pain, it’s time to get to the root of the problem.
Physiotherapy is an excellent treatment option for people suffering from sore backs. Do you have back pain that has lasted more than a week? Does it restrict your movement, or hurt when you cough or sneeze?
If so, read on to see how physiotherapy in Abbotsford can make all the difference.
What Is Physiotherapy?
The focus of physiotherapy is restoring movement or function to someone who is affected by an injury, disability or illness. As well as providing therapeutic services, a physiotherapist also educates patients. This can help them to make healthy lifestyle choices and to prevent further injury in future.
First Session
Whenever you go for physiotherapy, your first session will always begin with a thorough assessment.
This will involve a verbal consultation. The physiotherapist will discuss your medical history and current complaints. He or she will then perform a range of tests, such as flexibility or range of motion tests.
The physiotherapist will make a diagnosis based on the result of these tests. He or she will then discuss your goals, and work with you to come up with a treatment plan. The goal is to provide a treatment plan that is supported by evidence and will be reasonable for you as a patient to follow.
Physiotherapy Treatments
People often associate physiotherapy with exercise. It is true that specific exercises do often form an important part of physiotherapy. However, it can also include:
- massage
- work and occupational re-training
- use of assistive or supportive devices
- use of hot and cold packs
- joint manipulation
Use of one or several of these can form part of the treatment for sore backs. They can also form an important part of ongoing preventative measures you can take to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Physiotherapy for Back Pain
Having a sore back is a common complaint. Happily, for most people, it is not caused by a serious problem. In those cases, it is often resolved in a few weeks by staying active and having physiotherapy.
Causes of Back Pain
The fact is, it’s not always possible to identify the cause of back pain.
That’s because sore back muscles can have many causes. These include straining the back during everyday activities. You could be run down or very stressed, or lifestyle factors such as obesity or poor sleep could be at play.
Your physiotherapist will discuss all of these factors with you during the initial consultation. He or she will help you to identify triggers that cause the pain to increase. This can help you to recognize them and counter them.
More Serious Symptoms
There are symptoms that can indicate a more serious condition. These include:
- Pain that lasts for several weeks
- Numbness or tingling in the legs
- Problems with urinating or bowel movements
- Loss of sexual function or sensation
- Back pain with fever
In these cases, it’s important to work with your doctor and a physiotherapist to identify the source of the problem.
Treatment for Back Pain
In the past, bed rest was often recommended for back pain. However, this is likely to do more harm than good. It causes muscles to lose their tone at the very time you need to be building them!
Modern physiotherapy for sore backs centres around exercise and remaining active.
Once your physiotherapist has diagnosed the issue, they will give you advice on how to treat it. This may include using hot and cold packs on the sore back muscles. Some therapies may involve alternating the two.
They will also give you specific back exercises that you should complete at home. To get the maximum benefit, follow the routine outlined by the physiotherapist.
Your physiotherapist may also perform manual therapy in the office. This can take many forms including massage, stretching and joint manipulation. The goal of manual therapy is to reduce muscle spasms and muscle tension.
However, manual therapy alone will not be enough for ongoing sore back relief. You will need to follow up with exercises at home to build strength in the affected area and reduce the chance of a flare-up.
Benefits of Physiotherapy for Sore Backs
Sometimes, a sore back will simply go away on its own. But the longer it goes on, it’s less likely that will be the case. Getting physiotherapy in Abbotsford is a wise choice that has long-term benefits.
Seeing a physiotherapist means that you get personalized care. He or she will treat your specific problem and give tailored advice. This will also prevent you from doing exercises that will actually cause further damage.
A physiotherapist will also be able to spot and treat more serious issues. This can prevent them from developing into problems that require surgery, which should always be a last resort.
Engaging with a therapist also has another more obvious benefit – reduced pain! You’ll be able to reduce your discomfort and may even be able to resume activities you’d had to give up.
You may be able to regain a wider range of motion, making walking, driving and other aspects of daily life more comfortable.
How Physiotherapy in Abbotsford Can Help Sore Backs
If you’re suffering from ongoing back pain, take action today. Physiotherapy in Abbotsford has helped to sort out hundreds of sore backs, and yours can be next!
At the Newleaf Total Wellness Centre, we’re here to find the right treatment for you. Sore backs can be treated with physiotherapy, but some will respond better to chiropractic treatment.
We offer a wide range of professional services. This allows us to tailor your treatment to your exact needs.
Click here to book an appointment with one of our team today.