How is physical therapy used in the nonsurgical treatment of back and neck pain?
Your doctor has a number of options available in the treatment of spinal pain, prior to the final option of surgery. These include medications, injections, and physical therapy. Basically, there are three primary reasons to use PT. Pain: Pain will cause spasms in the muscles surrounding the area. These spasms create additional pain and stress, which perpetuate the original pain in a cycle of events that must be broken. To break this “pain-spasm cycle” physical agents such as heat, cold, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound, are used. Once the cycle has been interrupted, more active therapy can be implemented. Pain reduction is an important component of physical therapy. Loss of mobility: The underlying cause of the original pain can vary. Our physical therapists identify the tissue causing the restricted motion and “mobilize” (stretch) the tissues involved. Our therapists also teach patients how to mobilize themselves at home as well. Loss of strength: Many back and neck problems have
