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What To Expect At Physical Therapy For Lower Back Pain

Dr. Jake Berman |

What To Expect At Physical Therapy For Lower Back Pain

If you’re dealing with lower back pain, you may be wondering, what do you do in physical therapy? Physical therapy is a highly effective way to address the root causes of your pain and restore mobility without relying on medications. So, if you’re seeking relief and have scheduled an appointment, knowing what to expect at physical therapy for lower back pain is essential to feeling prepared for the process. Here’s a breakdown of what happens during a typical session and how it can help you recover.

Initial Evaluation: Understanding Your Pain and Goals

Your first session will typically start with an evaluation. The physical therapist will assess your lower back pain by reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical exam. They will ask about the onset of your pain, any lifestyle factors contributing to the issue, and what activities are challenging for you.

Expect a discussion about your daily routine and how the pain is affecting your quality of life. The therapist may also ask you to perform certain movements to gauge your flexibility, posture, and strength. This evaluation helps the therapist create a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs and goals.

In addition to physical movement, the therapist will also take into account your emotional response to the pain and any mental health factors, such as stress or anxiety, that may be contributing to the condition. Understanding the full scope of your pain—both physical and psychological—enables the therapist to design a more holistic and effective plan that addresses all aspects of your well-being.

Personalized Treatment Plan and Focused Goals

Once the evaluation is complete, your therapist will develop a treatment plan designed to address your unique pain triggers. What you do in physical therapy during follow-up sessions varies depending on your needs. The primary goal is to reduce pain, restore function, and prevent future injuries.

Your sessions include manual therapy, stretching, strengthening exercises, and postural training. The therapist will guide you through each movement, ensuring it is done safely and effectively to improve mobility and decrease discomfort. Over time, they’ll track your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

Hands-On Treatment: Techniques to Relieve Pain

One key component of physical therapy for lower back pain may involve hands-on treatment. Your therapist might use manual techniques to release tension and alleviate muscle spasms. These techniques include joint mobilizations, soft tissue massage, and myofascial release to target tight muscles and promote healing.

These hands-on methods help to break down scar tissue, improve range of motion, and relax the muscles around the affected area, providing immediate relief from discomfort. Your therapist may also utilize heat, cold therapy, or electrical stimulation to reduce inflammation and promote blood circulation.

Heat therapy helps to relax stiff muscles, while cold therapy reduces swelling and numbs the pain. On the other hand, electrical stimulation can block pain signals and stimulate muscle contraction, which can accelerate healing. These treatments are designed to provide immediate relief from pain while facilitating long-term recovery by improving tissue health, mobility, and muscle strength.

Exercise and Strengthening: Building Stability and Flexibility

Strengthening and stretching exercises are crucial for lower back pain in physical therapy. These exercises improve flexibility, core strength, and overall stability. Your therapist will teach you specific exercises that target the muscles supporting your spine, such as the lower back, abdomen, and hips.

As you progress through therapy, your exercises will become more challenging as you build endurance and flexibility. Regularly practicing these exercises at home will accelerate your recovery and help maintain long-term mobility improvements. Consistency is key to seeing results, so staying committed to your exercise plan is important.

Education and Prevention: Maintaining Long-Term Results

In addition to providing physical treatments, your therapist will educate you on preventing future back pain. They may show you how to alter your posture when standing, sitting, or lifting to avoid placing too much pressure on your lower back. Proper body mechanics are critical for preventing reinjury.

The therapist may also provide recommendations for lifestyle changes, such as improving your workstation setup, incorporating stretches into your daily routine, and incorporating regular low-impact exercises like walking or swimming. By understanding the causes of your pain and how to avoid triggers, you’ll have the tools to stay pain-free in the long term.

Tracking Progress: Monitoring and Adjusting Your Plan

Throughout your physical therapy sessions, your therapist will continuously monitor your progress. You’ll have regular check-ins to assess whether your pain and mobility have decreased and whether the exercises are helping. If necessary, they will adjust your treatment plan to reflect any changes in your symptoms or goals.

The goal is to ensure that you constantly improve and that your therapy remains realistic and achievable. With each successful step, you’ll move closer to being pain-free and regaining full functionality. Your therapist’s ongoing adjustments will ensure you’re on the right track throughout your recovery journey.

Return to Normal Activities: Resuming Daily Life and Hobbies

As your pain diminishes and your strength increases, you’ll gradually return to regular activities. One key benefit of physical therapy is that it helps you regain the strength and mobility to participate in daily life and hobbies. Whether lifting groceries, playing sports, or simply enjoying a walk without pain, therapy is designed to improve your overall quality of life.

Your therapist will help you return to these activities. They may suggest modifications or ways to gradually reintroduce certain movements without overstraining your body. With their guidance, you’ll regain confidence in your body’s ability to move without pain.

Let Us Help You Find Lasting Relief

If you are struggling with lower back pain and are ready to take the next step toward recovery, Berman Physical Therapy can help. From back pain to knee pain therapy solutions, we specialize in personalized treatment plans and offer one-on-one care to ensure you get the attention and results you deserve.

Don’t let pain hold you back. Reach out to us today to start your journey toward a pain-free lifestyle!

Dr. Jake Berman

Dr. Jake Berman

After graduating from the University of Florida, Dr. Jake Berman, PT, DPT sought out mentorship first from Bob Seton in Destin, FL and then from Aaron Robles in Jacksonville, FL. Both of these mentors have 20+ years of experience helping people keep active and mobile so they can enjoy high quality active lifestyles. What Jake found was that back pain was by far the most debilitating pain and the highest factor leading to decreased physical activity later in life. These experiences are what inspired Jake to specialize in helping people aged 50+ keep active, mobile and pain free despite the aging process. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to alleviate somebody’s back pain so that they can get back to living their best life- especially in Naples! Over the years of helping 100’s of people aged 65-75 become stronger and pain free, one thing for sure has become apparent: “he who rests rots”. Jake is a firm believer that we become stiff then old, not old then stiff. Seriously, think about it...