For which back pain does physiotherapy help

Back pain is now considered the number one widespread disease in Germany. Who doesn’t know it: a stabbing pain or a feeling of stiffness in the back? For many people, back pain means noticeable restrictions in everyday life, leisure time and work, and thus considerably impairs our quality of life.

In the case of acute back pain, physiotherapy can help to alleviate it and restore the original mobility and stability. Physical therapy can help sufferers reduce the risk of back pain returning. Physical therapists use a wide range of therapies and techniques to help sufferers treat acute back pain or to help them prevent back pain.

Different types of back pain

Back pain can be both sudden and persistent pain in different areas of the back. In Germany, back pain is the most common reason for a visit to the doctor after respiratory infections. According to scientific studies, the main causes are factors such as: stress, lack of exercise, anxiety, job dissatisfaction, depression or awkward working postures. Other causes related to the disease are:

• Injuries such as whiplash or vertebral fractures.
• Skeletal disorders such as scoliosis, osteoporosis
• Sliding wear and tear of the spine: wear and tear of the spine
• Inflammations like rheumatism
• Herniated disc
• Narrowing of nerve canals
• Injuries such as whiplash or bone fractures

Physical therapy is an important component in the concept of effective treatment. Physiotherapy is often combined with pain management, psychotherapy or nutritional and stress reduction training. The way the body works is very complex, so the more influencing factors that can be eliminated through interdisciplinary therapy, the greater the chances of success and lasting pain relief.

Regular physical activity is important to prevent back pain. People who exercise once or twice a week strengthen their back muscles and provide fewer targets for pain. Individual physical and psychological needs must be taken into account, as must the correct dosage of exercise programs. Endurance sports such as swimming, walking or special back exercises that can be easily integrated into everyday life are particularly recommended.

In addition, physiotherapy can be used to train healthy exercise behavior and manage stress. This includes reducing risk factors for back pain, increasing awareness and optimizing daily postures such as sitting, lifting, carrying, sleeping and managing stress and pain.

Exercises give back pain

Most back problems can often be resolved with physical therapy combined with medication support. Sufferers should resume daily activities as soon as possible and begin physical therapy as exercise therapy.

In physical therapy, patients with back pain learn various exercises that can permanently strengthen their muscles and counteract postural and movement disorders. Various methods such as breathing and movement coordination exercises, posture, gait and balance training, endurance and speed exercises are used to positively influence or even eliminate existing functional impairments.

In the so-called back school, patients train a certain movement sequence that they often have to perform in everyday life and at work (e.g. weight lifting, which relieves the back). This serves to permanently correct existing posture and movement disorders.

Heat is perceived as pleasant by many patients with back pain. It has a relaxing effect on the muscles and promotes blood circulation. Warm clothing, preferably windproof, such as an additional tank top or a thick sweater, can also keep the back warm.