With back pain consistently ranking as one of the most common medical complaints, it’s understandable for patients to want a therapeutic treatment that’s likely to produce substantial relief. Beverly Hills spine surgeons and doctors often suggest various therapies to determine how a patient responds before resorting to surgeries that may include certain risks.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy for back pain typically includes active exercises customized to a patient’s capabilities. The goal of physical therapy is to reduce pain to a level that’s manageable while increasing mobility and flexibility. Physical therapy can also be passive in nature (TENS units, iontophoresis, ultrasound), meaning something is done to the patient rather than having the patient actively participate.
Message Therapy
Most effective on patients with lower back pain, message therapy is customized to individual needs to target specific muscle groups. Studies suggest that massage therapy doesn’t usually do any harm and it may be more effective that some OTC medications often taken for back pain.
Water Therapy
Water therapy for back pain consists of various types of strength training exercises done in a pool to reduce stress on back muscles while still providing therapeutic benefits through creating a gentle friction. Water therapy tends to be more effective for patients with osteoarthritis and muscle sprain or tears resulting in back pain.
Temperature Therapy
The application of cold acts as a local anesthetic by slowing down nerve impulses responsible for transmitting pain signals. It can also help reduce inflammation. Conversely, the application of heat can stimulate blood flow and help nutrients get to the affected area of the back and prevent pain signals from being sent to the brain. Using both forms of temperature therapy can thus provide varying forms of reliefs to patients.
Acupuncture Therapy
Acupuncture involves the careful insertion of sterile needles into specific areas of the back designed to relief pain by creating a natural balance within the body. While considered more of an alternative therapy, studies suggest that acupuncture can provide more relief for some patients than no treatment at all.
For more information about therapies for spinal treatment or options for surgery, reach out to conservative surgeon, Dr. Hyun Bae. Specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery options and non-fusion technology, he can help properly diagnosis your current spine condition and recommend the most appropriate treatments for your individual needs. Call 310-828-7757 and schedule an in-person consultation.