People with chronic back pain experience a consistent level of pain no matter what their activity level is during the day. Some common medical conditions that cause chronic back pain are arthritis, herniated disks, disc degeneration, and scoliosis. Treatment plans include a combination of physical therapy and medication. Some severe spinal conditions may require surgery.

Pain Management

Pain medication is prescribed to make the patient more comfortable while they complete a physical therapy treatment plan. If pain medication is taken for long periods of time the body will develop a tolerance and require more medication to achieve the same amount of pain relief. Patients can also develop an addiction to certain pain medications. The long term goal of treating chronic back pain is to eliminate the need for pain medications by using physical therapy and surgery if needed.

Physical Therapy

Physiotherapy, commonly known as physical therapy, can reduce or eliminate chronic back pain over time. A physiotherapist teaches patients simple exercises which strengthen muscle groups and reduce inflammation in the affected area. Repeated over time, these exercises will improve functionality and pain levels in and around the spine. Physical therapy exercises are usually uncomfortable to perform because they work muscle groups which are damaged or weak. Pain medication can help make these exercises more manageable and improve the chances of completing the physical therapy treatment plan. Most patients are able to reduce the amount of pain medication they need after completing a physical therapy treatment plan.

Surgery

Severe spinal conditions require spinal surgery to reduce pain. Depending on the type of spinal surgery there are risks of paralysation, infection and increased chronic pain levels. Although there is a risk of increased pain, most patients experience improvement after surgery in both the functionality of their spine and pain levels. After surgery physicians will prescribe pain medication as needed and refer the patient to a physical therapist.

Eliminating Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain can be eliminated or reduced after completing a treatment plan that includes physical therapy. If you have been experiencing chronic back pain, see a physician right away. Living with untreated chronic back pain negatively affects your mental health and quality of life. Your physician and physical therapist will work together to develop a treatment plan to reduce or eliminate your chronic back pain.

Depending on the origin of the back pain, the physiotherapist will suggest the right approach to exercise. Most physiotherapists will work closely with orthopaedics, chiropractors, and neurosurgeons in order to fully analyze and determine the origin of the back pain before pursuing any treatment. Physiotherapy could be very catastrophic without the proper guidance from the specialists.