Physical therapy is often recommended to sufferers of back or neck pain. Whether your pain is mild or severe, physical therapy is a valuable tool that can provide degenerative disc disease pain relief and get you back to your normal lifestyle. The goal of physical therapy is to decrease pain, increase function, and provide education and an at-home maintenance program to prevent future recurrences. With that being said, physical therapy can not only relieve your pain, but it can also create a healthier, stronger, better you.
It is important to know that there are two types of physical therapy; passive exercises and active exercises. Passive exercises (modalities) include treatments that are applied to the patient by another person. Active exercises can include strengthening exercises, stretching, and other dynamic movements. The main goal of these exercises is to increase flexibility and mobility which decreases the possibility of future injury or pain.
Passive Physical Therapy (Modalities) for Degenerative Disc Disease Pain Relief
Heat/ice packs
Heat and ice are easily the most common form of physical therapy for degenerative disc disease pain relief. Hot/cold packs can be used safely at home and are easily accessible. Both of these methods can be used separately or together to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms.
Everyone is different – some people find relief with heat therapy, while others with cold therapy. Heat is beneficial for relaxing muscles and increasing blood flow. On the other hand, ice decreases inflammation and blood flow, which decreases pain more efficiently in the long run. This method works best when treating early onset pain.
Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis is a form of physical therapy that applies steroids to the area of pain. Topical medicine is applied to the skin and then an electrical current is applied to the area. This causes the steroids to seep under the skin and produce an anti-inflammatory effect on the area of pain. This method is used to relieve acute episodes of pain.
TENS Units for Electrotherapy
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) is also an option for degenerative disc disease pain relief. This machine delivers small electrical impulses via adhesive pads applied to the skin. The electrical impulses reduce the nervous system’s ability to transmit pain signals to the brain and spinal cord. These electrical impulses also stimulate the body to produce endorphins, the body’s natural pain reliever.
Active Physical Therapy for Degenerative Disc Disease Pain Relief
Stretching
When someone asks their doctor how they can reduce their back pain, a common suggestion is to take time to stretch. Physical therapists can offer safe and effective stretching sequences to assist you on the road to recovery. Having someone there to help you stretch is important – you do not want to further provoke your injury by using incorrect form.
If you suffer from low back pain, you should stretch your hamstrings often. Adding this simple stretch to your daily routine can alleviate tension in your back. There are so many other ways to stretch that create a healthy, happy spine.
Strengthening exercises
Physical therapists will often create a personalized sequence of strengthening exercises for you. This can include dynamic lumbar stabilization or other prescribed exercises, which should be done at least every other day. Core stabilization exercises are also vital to reducing pain. Having a strong core takes the pressure off your back by improving your balance and stability. Again, it is important to do these exercises correctly. Make sure to utilize your physical therapist so you learn the proper form for each movement.
Low Impact Aerobic Conditioning
With back pain, you should not participate in high intensity exercise, like running or powerlifting. Instead, you should opt for an exercise program that is gentle on your back but still effective. Walking, biking, and swimming are all examples of aerobic exercise that can aid long term pain reduction. They are most beneficial when you do them three times a week, on alternate days from the strengthening exercises.
Physical therapy is a great way to ease your pain and reduce the likelihood of future injury. Unlike painkillers and surgery, physical therapy uses passive methods and active methods to create a stronger you. It is a common, and effective, solution for back pain sufferers.
