Lower back pain is a condition that affects nearly everyone at some point in our lifetimes. Low back pain can interfere with work, daily activities or recreation. Low back pain can come from stress, injury or conditions such as arthritis. Rehabilitation for low back pain focuses on increasing flexibility of the soft tissues and muscles which hold the spinal column together. Typical activities for rehabilitation include chiropractic care, physical therapy and massage chair therapy.
Low back pain is estimated to cost the U.S. 50 billion dollars a year to diagnose and treat. Back pain is the second most common neurological condition in the U.S. and is the most common cause of job related disability and leading contributor to missed work. Lower back pain can be acute, which is short term and lasts only a few days to a few weeks or chronic, which is measured as lasting more than 3 months and can be progressive.
For the vast majority of low back pain cases, non-invasive procedures are used to treat the spine. Of course, there are cases involving surgery, but most can be treated naturally. Rehabilitation and recovery may require pain medications or possibly analgesics to reduce swelling and build up functionality. Most recoveries involve exercise and possibly a program of physical therapy.
Chiropractic care involves using adjustments, electro-stimulation and massage therapy. Chiropractors want to loosen the stiff and tight muscles of the lower back. This is done by electro-stimulation and with massage therapy. The doctor may then perform an adjustment to the spine to align the vertebra more properly.
Even if you do not have low back pain now, there are many things you can be doing to better care for your back. If you exercise regularly, you can use ice and heat. Interestingly, heat nor ice has not been scientifically proven to resolve low back injuries, it is commonly used to reduce swelling and tightness. You can apply an ice pack after strenuous activity for 20 minutes to reduce swelling.
Heat has been applied throughout the ages to relax muscles and improve blood flow. Warm baths were the common approach in Roman times and are quite effective. Using a heating pad or hot packs on particular areas is effective. Try applying heat to warm up the muscle and provide relief. Control the temperature so you do not overheat the muscle and cause burns.
Believe it or not exercise is an important aspect of rehabilitation of the lower back muscles, even within one week of the injury. The key is to slowly build muscle strength and flexibility. A routine of back-healthy activities should be included each week that will keep the muscles moving and speed the recovery process. These activities will include stretching, swimming, walking and other exercises to improve coordination.
One popular method for rehabilitation is the incorporation of Yoga. Many of the stretches and exercises can be targeted to the lower back. Stretching helps with flexibility while exercises helps to maintain and strengthen the muscles and soft tissue areas. Daily exercises for 15 minutes can make an enormous difference. Just do not over due it.
An interesting and accessible technology is massage chairs for rehabilitation. In many ways, massage chairs automate certain types of therapies which can be precisely controlled. Massage chairs are used to deliver a variety of massage therapies including Swedish, Shiatsu, and even Reflexology. They can target specific points or regions or provide full body relief. Many have stretching systems for the arms and the lower body to help increase flexibility.
Rehabilitation for the lower back involves getting the muscle to become more elastic and less rigid. Also, increasing the strength of the muscles helps to prevent further injury. Diet, exercise, stretching and massage therapy are all important elements of restoring the health of your spine. Massage chairs can be a key tool in rehabilitation and future health maintenance of your lower back. Check with your doctor to see what is right for your condition.
