Do you have low back pain? You’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit doctors and physical therapists. The good news is that physical therapy can really help reduce your pain and help you move better.
What Does Physical Therapy Do?
Physical therapy uses exercise and movement to help your body heal. The aim of physical treatments is to improve function and prevent disability from getting worse. When you work with a physical therapist, they teach you special exercises that make your back muscles stronger and help your spine move better.
How Well Does It Work?
Studies show that physical therapy really works for back pain. Research found moderate-certainty evidence that exercise is probably effective for treatment of chronic low back pain compared to no treatment. Another study found that improvements were able to be sustained for one year after the treatment.
Even better, getting physical therapy early can help you avoid other treatments. Early physical therapy for U.S. patients with acute lower back pain was associated with less health care resource use in the first month and the first year after the initial onset of symptoms.
What Are the Benefits?
Physical therapy helps your back in many ways:
- Less pain: Exercise and movement help your muscles feel better and reduce hurt
- Better movement: You can bend, twist, and move more easily
- Stronger muscles: Strong back and core muscles support your spine better
- Prevents future injury: By helping improve your strength, flexibility, balance, and posture, your therapy plan can help you avoid future accidents
One study showed that physical therapy can work just as well as surgery for some types of back pain. Two years later, there was no difference in pain or physical function between the surgery and physical therapy groups, but surgery had more risks and complications.
Is It Right for You?
Physical therapy works for both new back pain and pain that has lasted a long time. There is no evidence available to show that one type of exercise is superior to another, and participation can be in a group or in an individual exercise program. This means your therapist can find the right exercises that work best for you.
If you have back pain, talk to your doctor about trying physical therapy. It’s a safe way to help your back feel better and get you back to doing the things you love. With the right exercises and guidance, you can take control of your back pain and feel stronger every day.
Learn more from the NIH
