Physical Therapy Can Help Relieve Your Herniated Disc Pains
Back pain is one of the most common complaints in the United States today. Whether you have a minor ache in your back or suffer from recurring chronic back pain, it can make performing daily tasks extremely difficult. But have you ever considered whether your back pain was a symptom of something more serious?
There are many reasons why someone may be experiencing back pain, including herniated discs. The spine is composed of a complex series of individual bones known as vertebrae. Between each vertebrae are cushioning pads that act as shock absorbers, allowing you to bend, walk, and move around without pain on a daily basis. However, if these small cushioning discs are injured, the soft center can rupture, causing severe pain.
This type of injury is commonly referred to as a herniated or slipped disc, and while there is no cure for the condition, physical therapy can help with chronic back pain management.
Common symptoms of herniated discs
Herniated discs are one of the most common back pain complaints. They typically occur in people aged 35 to 55 years but can affect physical therapy patients of all ages.
In certain cases, a herniated disc may show no outward symptoms at all. But for those dealing with recurring pain from a herniated disc, the following symptoms are also common:
- Pain in the shoulder blade area.
- Pain radiating out from the shoulder, arm, and sometimes traveling down to the hands and fingers.
- Neck pain that stays centered in the back and side areas of the neck. This type of pain can increase in severity when bending or turning the neck.
- Neck spasms affecting the muscles in the neck and shoulder area.
What happens if I don’t treat my herniated disc?
In addition to analyzing your symptoms and performing various tests and measures, a physical therapist can help you determine if you have a herniated disc by assessing your medical history and lifestyle.
We’ll look for risk factors known to be linked to herniated discs, including:
- Acute trauma, e.g., auto accident or fall
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Male gender
- Age between 30 and 50
- Frequent bending, heavy lifting, or twisting
- Physically demanding occupation
What caused my herniated disc?
The vertebrae and cushioning discs in the spinal column can become injured in a variety of different ways.
However, when dealing with a herniated disc, injuries are most often the result of:
- The natural aging process or degeneration
- Excessive weight gain and obesity
- Work-related or overuse injuries where the spine has been twisted violently
- Improper lifting resulting in sudden strain
What can I expect from a treatment plan?
Physical therapy is essential in the recovery from a herniated disc. A physical therapist employs a variety of pain relief and healing techniques. Deep tissue massage, electric stimulation, and hot and cold therapy are all examples of passive treatments.
Deep tissue massage eases pressure in order to alleviate spasms and deep muscle tension caused by a herniated disc. Hot therapy improves healing by increasing blood flow to the affected area. Inflammation is reduced by using cold therapy. Electric nerve stimulation works by sending a tiny electric current through the nerve pathway to reduce muscle spasms.
A physical therapist’s active treatments will address joint movement, stability, flexibility, strength, and posture. To strengthen the back muscles, a physical therapist will teach you core stabilizing exercises. You’ll also do body muscle exercises to strengthen and condition your muscles. A physical therapist will also teach you proper stretching and flexibility techniques.
Looking for more reasons to choose physical therapy?
When experiencing back pain, it can be tempting to simply visit your general physician in search of a quick solution.
However, in many cases, all that a general physician can offer in the way of pain relief is a prescription for painkillers. Alternatively, an experienced physical therapist can offer a variety of treatment options that are designed to target the root cause of your reoccurring back pain.
Some of the most common treatment options recommended by our physical therapist for herniated disc pain include:
- Stretching exercises that help to keep the muscles in the back flexible
- Aerobic exercises like walking or using a stationary bicycle
- Therapeutic massage to help ease sore muscles
- Alternating treatment with ice and heat to reduce inflammation and soothe sore muscles
- Ultrasound therapy or electrical muscle stimulation for fast pain relief and deep penetration of the targeted area
Start your path toward back pain relief today
You may have a herniated disc if you have recurring back pain in the neck or shoulder area.
A physical therapist can help you manage your herniated disc pain without the use of prescription medications or more invasive treatment options by using targeted treatments and physical therapy exercises.
Contact us today for more information and to set up an initial consultation!
