You suffer from lower back pain. You want to talk to your doctor about it, but the thought of back surgery scares the bejeezus out of you. So what is the alternative? Well, definitely talk to your doctor and ask if you can try physical therapy first. In fact, most doctors will suggest it before surgery and give you a referral for treatment.
Nonsurgical alternative
Physical therapy is a often prescribed for four weeks to see if it can be a nonsurgical alternative for lower back pain. Physical therapy is used to decrease back pain and increase function. If successful and surgery is not needed it will teach you how to prevent future back problems. If surgery is necessary the 4 weeks will help the healing time after surgery, and will be part of your healing process.
Passive and/or active physical therapy
It can include passive physical therapy and/or active physical therapy. Passive physical therapy includes things like heat application, ice packs and electrical stimulation. This helps warm the muscles for exercise then soothe them afterwards. Active physical therapy is the exercising and stretching.
Lower back pain is in the lumbar spine
This part of your back is very dependent on the core abdominal muscles. If you don’t have strong abdominal muscles lower back issues are more likely. The spine and discs are surrounded by muscles, and the stronger these specific muscles are, the less stress is placed on the discs and joints of the spine. Physical therapy can help you strengthen them.
Whether your doctor prescribes surgery or not, making the muscles that hold your spine together stronger will help, surgery or no surgery. The plus is that it will make the pain better and isn’t that what you want?
