Better Back Health For Life » Low Back Pain Physical Therapy

TENS Pain Relief

owner — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:48:48 +0000

One of the options that your physical therapist might use to relieve your back pain is the use of a TENS machine. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. The theory behind TENS machines is that the mild electrical stimulation that the unit supplies overrides the pain signal that you receive from your brain. As this pain signal is blocked, you receive relief from the pain.

A TENS unit works by placing two electrodes at different points of your body. The TENS unit will then send a mild electrical current between those two electrodes stimulating the nerves and/or muscles. The unit will allow you to control the amplitude, frequencies and pulse widths. I know it sounds scary, but these units really work. Most physical therapists will have larger TENS units to treat you with, but there are also smaller TENS units that you can purchase and wear during the day to heal you deal with the pain. These units are usually about the size of a pack of cigarettes and are powered by 16 volt batteries.

I own and use a TENS unit on occasion and have found it very helpful in dealing with my lower back pain.

Heat Therapy Products

owner — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:02:16 +0000

Heat therapy products can go a long way in relieving your back pain. Heat allows more blood to flow to the affected area as it expands the blood vessels. Heat can be applied by using a moist towel that has been heated in the microwave or by using a heating pad.

One of the best things I’ve ever found are Therma-Care HeatWraps which are air activated and can provide powerful pain relief. The best thing about these HeatWraps are that they are portable–no extension chord needed!

Cold Therapy Treatment

owner — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:29:52 +0000

Cold therapy treatment is a very effective way to treat back pain, especially if you have suffered a back injury or back strain. Cold therapy treatment can help reduce inflammation as it causes decreased blood flow to the area because of constricted blood vessels. It also numbers the area which can help relieve pain.

There are several ways to apply cold therapy these days. You can always place some ice cubes in a plastic bag and then wrap the bag in a towel before applying to the affected area. The best option, in my opinion, are gel packs that can be purchased at your local pharmacy, stored in your freezer and used whenever needed. These gel packs are great because they are soft and pliable and can be molded to fit the affected area. I always keep a couple stored in my freezer just in case.

Low Back Pain Physical Therapy

owner — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:06:06 +0000

Low back pain physical therapy is a treatment option for most back pain sufferers. Physical therapists are professionals who can help restore function, improve mobility and relieve pain. They can help restore, maintain and improve a patient’s fitness and overall health.

Physical therapists often work with medical doctors in the treatment of patients. They will review a patient’s medical history and perform a variety of tests to gauge the patient’s overall mobility, strength, range of motion, balance and coordination. Then they will provide a variety of services based on the doctor’s prescription and their own assessment of the patient’s health.

Among the types of treatments that physical therapists offer are massage, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, hot packs and/or cold compresses. They may also teach patients various forms of exercise to help alleviate their pain and strengthen their muscles.

We will explore some of the more popular forms of treatment involved in low back pain physical therpay.