The problem also extends far beyond our borders.
A study based on data from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study suggests this condition is behind more disability around the world than any other ailment. Overall, the researchers concluded, chronic low back pain is at the top in terms of years lost to disability, with nearly one in 10 people impacted by it.
What kind of relief can you expect?
At MyoFit Clinic in Chardon & Middlefield, OH we have had great success in helping clients find relief from their chronic pain who gradually improve strength and mobility from exercise and resume their normal level of activity again.
There are a number of treatments we use to accomplish this.
Physical therapy with strength and mobility programs
When physical therapy is coupled with specially prescribed motor control exercises, only which a licensed physical therapist can prescribe, we have observed significant success in treating patients with chronic low back pain.
The focus of these special exercises is to improve the neuromuscular control of those body segments involved in the movement of the spine in order to improve the stability of the spine making it stronger.
In essence, while chronic back pain is not usually a “quick fix,” the condition can often be treated effectively with a combination of different physical therapies. Physical therapy aims to correct the debilitating dysfunction versus only just treating the symptoms. You will learn exactly how do you treat your back by yourself and independently.
Dry Needling
At MyoFit Clinic we have also brought relief to many sufferers of chronic back pain by using an advanced treatment procedure known as Intramuscular Stimulation or Dry Needling.
This is a unique procedure requiring specialized training on the part of your physical therapist. It is designed to target muscle function to improve tissue healing and muscle restoration. It is especially effective if your back pain is linked to an underlying injury.
If you are recommended to have dry needling, you can expect to be treated with thin solid filament dry needles that will deactivate and desensitize trigger points within the muscle itself. These trigger points are known to contribute to pain, poor muscle function, low blood circulation, and reduced flexibility.
Manual massage therapy
Chronic lower back pain can also be relieved substantially with hands on manual massage therapy offered at our clinic by a doctor of Physical Therapy and licensed medical massage therapist.
In fact, a 2011 scientific study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine found that manual massage helps people with back pain to function even after six months.
After 10 weeks, more than 1/3 of patients who received either type of manual massage said their back pain was either much better or gone, compared to only one in 25 who were taking medication. Patients who underwent massage therapy also spent fewer days in bed, were more active, and used fewer anti-inflammatory medications than those who were treated solely with medication.
Laser Therapy
The official name for laser therapy is Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) but we have also heard it referred to as soft laser and cold laser.
This is how it works:
Low levels of laser light are directed at the painful area. The laser light stimulates cells and tissues in that area. The laser light speeds the tissue repair process.
In 2003, a study by J.M. Bjordal and his colleagues at the University of Bergen in Norway investigated if LLLT of the joint capsule could reduce pain in chronic joint disorders. “Low-level laser therapy with the suggested dose range significantly reduces pain and improves health status in chronic joint disorders,” the researchers concluded.
Physical therapy is not something that can be done on your own or by any other health/medical practitioner. You need the critical and trained eye of a licensed doctor of physical therapy in order to assess and determine an appropriate diagnosis, limitations, and treatments for your pain. Call us today for an initial consultation so you can keep moving forward pain-free!
Dr. Adam M. Cramer, PT, DPT, is a licensed physical therapist, pain specialist, and owner of MyoFit Clinic in Chardon & Middlefield, Ashtabula Ohio, and offers all the above treatments at both clinics all below. Chardon: 440-286-1007 Middlefield: 440-632-1007