Physiotherapy for back pain

Back pain is one of the most common types of pain. Almost everyone suffers from it at least once in their life. For many, it brings restrictions in everyday life, work and leisure. Fortunately, in most cases the causes are not threatening and there are often ways to alleviate them. With physiotherapy, for example.

Rarely is there a serious illness behind the pain, such as a slipped disc, tumor or inflammation of the kidney pelvis. The most common causes are tension, weak muscles and lack of exercise. In such cases, a few stretching exercises, some exercise or a gentle massage from your partner can often help to get rid of the pain. A full bath and heat packs can also relieve tense muscles.

If these measures are ineffective or the pain is very severe, a visit to the doctor is advisable. He can give the patient a prescription for physiotherapy. Alternatively, you can go directly to the physiotherapist without a prescription as a self-payer. You can find a practice near you on the website of the German Association for Physical Therapy (Deutscher Verband für Physiotherapie e. V.).

The therapy is intended to restore the original mobility and resilience of the back with various measures. The physiotherapist has  various treatment methods at his disposal for this purpose. Depending on the cause of the complaints, he will recommend more active exercises or passive treatments. In active therapy, the patient performs the movements independently according to instructions. In passive therapy, the physical therapist performs the movements.

The therapist also shows the patient exercises that he or she can perform at home. This is intended to relieve back pain in the long term. He also gives practical recommendations for everyday activities, such as how to adjust the office chair correctly or what posture is important when bending over and carrying loads. Lifestyle is also put under the microscope. After all, regular exercise and a balanced diet are important for a healthy back.

At the first appointment, the physiotherapist will analyze your current situation (medical history). He will ask you about your complaints and previous medication. Then he examines the affected body region and gets an idea of the functional limitations and causes of pain. Afterwards, a personal treatment plan for the therapy of the back problems will be created. Open questions about the approach should be clarified at the first appointment. This is because the active and responsible cooperation of the patient is also decisive for the success of the therapy.

Many back pains are due to tense and shortened muscles. For this reason, stretching exercises and massages are often integrated into the therapy plan in physiotherapy. Using grip techniques such as stroking, kneading, rolling, loosening or tapping, the physiotherapist releases tension in the muscles or blockages in the area of the spine. In addition, the metabolism is promoted and blood circulation is increased.

During physiotherapy, the patient learns various exercises that strengthen his back muscles and promote mobility. Equipment-supported physiotherapy is often used. This involves training under the guidance of specially trained physiotherapists on medical equipment, including bicycle ergometers, weight training equipment and pulleys. The goal is to learn healthy movement patterns and improve muscle strength, endurance and coordination. Equipment-supported physiotherapy can also be used after operations or as prevention of wear and tear and back disorders.

Electrotherapy uses the power of electrical pulses to activate healing processes in the body. In transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), electric current is applied via glued-on electrodes. Those affected perceive this through a more or less pronounced tingling sensation on the skin. The aim of the treatment is to stimulate the nerve cells in the spinal cord in such a way that they reduce the transmission of pain to the brain.

Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to generate heat, which can relieve pain associated with spinal disorders. The physical therapist applies a special gel to the area to be treated and then moves the ultrasound probe over the back. The sound waves are emitted either continuously (uniform sound) or in pulses (pulsed sound) and penetrate the tissue. This results in a so-called micro-massage.

Physiotherapy also uses heat and cold to achieve a pain-relieving effect on the patient. The applications can be used locally or on the whole body. Heat therapy promotes blood circulation and relaxes the back muscles. Heat is usually applied via hot mud and mud packs, infrared light or hot air radiators. The so-called "hot roll" is also popular with many patients. Here, the therapist treats the back with towels rolled up in a funnel shape and soaked in hot water.

Cold therapy has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Among other things, cold packs, cold sprays or ice water are used to extract heat from the body. This constricts the blood vessels, which relieves swelling. In addition, inflammatory processes run more slowly, which reduces sensitivity to pain.

Back school is a therapy concept for the prevention and treatment of back pain. Many physiotherapy practices offer corresponding courses. These include learning back-friendly postures for lifting and carrying as well as training the back and abdominal muscles. Relaxation exercises and stress management strategies are also part of the program. A course consists of eight to twelve units lasting about one hour. Many health insurance companies cover part of the costs if an application is submitted in advance.

Regardless of whether muscle tension or a disease is behind the "low back pain", an effective way to relieve the pain is targeted, active or passive movement. Physiotherapists have a whole range of different therapy options at their disposal. They are geared to the patient's personal symptoms and can also be used to accompany drug treatment. In this way, physiotherapy prevents further consequential damage and helps those affected to regain a better quality of life.