The Epidemic of Low-Back Pain
The lifetime prevalence of low-back pain in the general adult population is estimated between 85% and 90%. Physical therapists, who are experts in restoring and improving motion in people’s lives, play an important role not only in treating persistent or recurrent low back pain, but also in prevention and risk reduction.
Physical therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility, and not all pain—specifically, low-back pain—is the same. Treatment should be tailored to suit your specific condition. You should expect the following from a physical therapist:
Individualized assessment: Your physical therapist will ask you a number of questions about your specific condition and will thoroughly examine you for problems with posture, flexibility, strength, joint mobility, and movement.
Individualized treatment plan: Once your assessment is complete your physical therapist will develop a plan designed for your specific type of back problem. This may consist of:
- Treatment to decrease pain, restore mobility
- Manual therapy techniques, including
spinal mobilization or manipulation, to
improve mobility of joints and soft tissues.
- Strengthening and/or flexibility exercise.
- Education about caring for your back and
training for proper lifting, bending, sitting,
sleeping, standing, walking, and doing
chores both at work and in the home.
September, 2009 |
