5 Fast Acting Ways To Improve Low Back Pain

5 Fast Acting Ways To Improve Low Back Pain

Lets face it, a majority of society have experienced back pain at one point in there life or another. From pulling a muscle, to cramping, or even more severe injuries such a spinal damage or bone breaks, here are Impact Physical Therapy, we are dedicated to helping you live a pain free life! Here are 5 fast acting ways to improve low back pain…

Use Heat over Ice– there has been a lot of research articles that promote the use of heat for low back injuries. Better circulation and tissue hydration will allow for proper healing and improved tissue flexibility. The worst thing you can do is Ice your back for long periods and not move. Don’t become a cold, dried out piece of meat.

Tissue work– most injuries to the low back effect the soft tissues. Make sure to roll on a ball, foam roller of have your partner/friend rub your back. The key is to make sure the pressure is tolerable. Tissue mobilization helps bring more hydration to the tissues along with increased blood flow for healing. A lacrosse ball is not appropriate for everyone and every injury. Just like Goldilocks “ Not to hard, not to soft…. Just right”

Stretch your hips–The lumbar spine is the cross roads of the human body. Meaning abnormalities in mobility or stability from above or below can affect the lumbar spine. Sitting can cause the front of your hips to become tight which in turn will pull on your pelvis and negatively affect your low back. The posterior gluteal tissues (your butt) run continuously into the lumbar spine. Stretch the outside and back of your hips to also get low back pain relief.

Stretch your thoracic spine- the most under looked and probably the most important part of your back – the thoracic spine! Make sure these vertebra and tissues are moving well to feed a healthier low back.

Find a specialist in your area- find someone that is going to evaluate you as a person rather than a diagnosis. Your back pain maybe coming from your left hip so that needs to be properly addressed in order to help your low back. Many people will give you “low back exercises.” That is the cookie cutter approach and the unfortunate thing that is occurring in healthcare. Impact Physical Therapy will evaluate your entire body to make sure the root cause of your back pain is being addressed. Click here now to schedule your appointment with one of our specialists! 

*** These are general suggestions that may help some individuals. Depending on the complexity of your injury some of these exercises may decrease or increase your symptoms. If you are experiencing more pain, stop immediately. The best solution to back pain is to have a specialist perform a thorough evaluation.