Manual
physical therapy for pain relief
January 13, 2006
Sometimes called “hands-on physical therapy”, manual physical therapy
uses no devices or machines. With this technique, therapists use only their hands
to reduce back muscle tension and restore mobility to stiff joints in an effort
to allow the patient more natural movement and pain relief. Read
more...
By: Robert J. Daul, MPT
Physical
therapy for low back pain relief
December 20, 2005
Most patients with low back pain will benefit from physical therapy that strengthens
the "belt"
of muscle around their spine—including the
abdominal and low back muscles. Even patients who
eventually elect back surgery benefit. A physical
therapist can show proper exercise technique and
ensure follow through. Read
more...
By: Rob D. Dickerman, DO, PhD
Exercise bikes for a
low stress workout
April 27, 2005
Many patients have trouble finding an exercise program with an appopriate level
of intensity and minimal impact. An exercise bike is a good option that provides
a low stress workout incorporating aerobic exercise, strengthening and flexibility,
while still being gentle for the back. Read
more...
By: J. Talbot Sellers, DO
A
healthy weight for a healthy back
December 15, 2004
Obese and overweight patients may be surprised to learn that they have an increased risk for certain back conditions such as osteoarthritis, where their extra weight puts extra pressure on their joints. This article helps to explain why maintaining a healthy weight level is particularly necessary for back pain patients. Read
more...
By: Kelly Andrews, DC
Weight loss for back relief
November 2, 2004
Being obese or overweight can increase low back pain, joint pain, spinal disc problems, muscle strain and other conditions. However, patients who are overweight or obese may be unaware that excess weight is increasing not only their current pain but also their risk of future problems. This article gives practical guidelines on how exercise, diet and weight loss can help with back relief. Read more...
By: Donald J. Frisco, MD
Choosing
the right exercise ball
October 22, 2003
When sitting upright on an exercise ball, feet should be flat on the floor, knees
should be level or slightly lower than the pelvis, and the pelvis, shoulders,
and ears should be in a vertical line. Read
more...
By: Ron Miller, PT
Rehabilitation
and exercise following spine surgery
September 4, 2002
Rehabilitation or physical therapy can help patients recover from spine surgery
as quickly and completely as possible. It is important in helping the body
heal from the original injury and the surgery, and in preventing future episodes
of pain. Read
more...
By: Carol M. McFarland, MS, PT, OCS
Exercise
ball physical therapy for back pain
June 29, 2001
The exercise ball (swiss ball) is designed to help prevent further episodes
of back pain as part of a rehabilitation program. This article provides tips
on uses, exercises, and important considerations you should know before starting
therapy with an exercise ball. Read
more...
By: Thomas E. Hyde, DC, DACBSP
Rehabilitation
and exercise for a healthy back
June 25, 2001
People who suffer from lower back pain are often encouraged to participate
in their own recovery and rehabilitation, but they are seldom given the knowledge
and tools needed to accomplish this. This article provides a basic understanding
of the reasons for lower back pain and gives you tips on exercises and successful
recovery. Read
more...
By: Vert Mooney, MD
Guidelines
for a successful recovery from low back pain
June 25, 2001
In addition to stretching, strengthening
and aerobic exercises, there are several basic guidelines
that can help you in your healing and rehabilitation
process. These guidelines include managing anxiety,
maintaining proper diet and nutrition, sleeping well,
controlling use of medications, and doing back exercises. Read
more...
By: Vert Mooney, MD
Water
therapy exercise program
May 1, 2001
Water therapy is designed for back pain relief, muscle conditioning and strengthening,
and increasing the range of motion in the spine and other affected parts of
the body during rehabilitation. Read
more...
By: Andrew J. Cole, MD
How
a physical therapist can help with exercise
June 16, 2000
Back pain sufferers are often referred to a physical therapist, whose role
is to provide pain relief, rehabilitate, and educate patients about back exercises.
Read
more...
By: Carol M. McFarland, MS, PT, OCS
Physical
therapy for low back pain: Patients vote
March 30, 2006
Less than half of Spine-health.com's poll respondents said they experienced some
low back pain relief from physical therapy. Since much of physical therapy is
active exercise, one might expect the number of patients experiencing pain relief
to be much higher. What could cause such a low level of satisfaction? Read
more...
Back-to-Back:
Weight loss, diet and nutrition for a healthy
back
Read other patients’ helpful tips about weight loss using gentle exercise,
a healthy diet and good nutrition. Patients also share how achieving an optimal
weight helped relieve their back pain. Be sure to submit your own response! Read
more...
Back-to-Back: Using back exercise for back pain relief
Read other patients’ helpful advice about using back exercise (such as walking, an exercise bike, water therapy, physical therapy and yoga) for back pain relief or rehabilitation and recovery from back surgery. Then, submit your own response! Read more...
Back Pain Radio transcript: exercise balls, home exercise equipment and the Graston Technique
April 19, 2005
Exercises for a healthy back don’t have to be performed solely in a gym or with a physical therapist - they can also be done inexpensively and conveniently in the home, using fitness equipment such as an exercise ball. Thomas Hyde, D.C., a chiropractor in Florida and a medical advisor and contributing author for Spine-health.com, and Grant Cooper, M.D., host of Back Pain Radio, discuss proper use of exercise balls for fitness, home exercise equipment and the Graston Technique on the April 4, 2005 show. Read transcript…
Exercise for back surgery – The doctor is in!
April 19, 2005
This section addresses patients’ questions about how exercise can facilitate healing and reduce pain after back surgery. Answers are provided by Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon and Medical Director for Spine-health.com. Patients’ inquiries on gentle exercise and post-operative care were submitted by e-mail, and we’ve posted some common questions and responses here. Read more…
Exercise for back problems – The doctor is in!
April 19, 2005
This section addresses patients’ questions about using exercise to heal from back problems and chronic back pain. Answers are provided by Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon and Medical Director for Spine-health.com. Patients’ inquiries on exercise and stretching were submitted by e-mail, and we’ve posted some common questions and responses here. Read more…
First aid for your back - Spine-health.com Newsletter
Even if the pain is severe, episodes of back pain - and pain from ongoing back conditions like sciatica- can be somewhat relieved with some first aid methods you can do at home. Some combination of the following treatments (for example, heat therapy, ice therapy, gentle stretching and exercise) is usually recommended to help alleviate or at least manage back pain from several conditions. Read more...
Non-medical care alternatives for back pain - Spine-health.com Newsletter
This newsletter covers several non-medical treatment alternatives, such as Pilates, acupuncture, Tai Chi, and yoga exercise for people trying to manage their back condition and for rehabilitation. Gentle exercise and relaxation can be extremely helpful for back pain relief and chronic pain management. Read more...
Essential exercise for back pain relief - Spine-health.com Newsletter
The natural stimulus for the healing process is active exercise, which means exercise in a controlled, gradual, and progressive manner. In this newsletter we discuss why exercise is important and give information about gentle exercises for recovery, rehabilitation and prevention of future back pain from back conditions. Read more...
Pain relief with physical therapy and exercise - Spine-health.com Newsletter
The use of some type of physical therapy and exercise is integral to almost all forms of back pain and neck pain treatment. Sometimes physical therapy and exercise is the first line of treatment; other times it may help manage chronic pain, or provide rehabilitation after surgery. This newsletter explains how physical therapy and exercise play a vital role in relieving pain from back conditions. Read more...
The importance of back exercise and rehabilitation - Spine-health.com Newsletter
Information about how and why rehabilitation and exercise are so important for your recovery and from back pain and back surgery, as well as for maintaining future spinal health. Read these helpful guidelines on developing a new exercise program to include stretching, strengthening and aerobic exercises for your back. Read more...
Please note that these additional patient resources (such as The Back-to-Back Forum and Newsletters) on Spine-health.com are not peer-reviewed by the Spine-health.com Medical Advisory Board. They are provided as additional resources for patients to learn from the experiences of others and to gain information from our popular newsletters.
