- Chronic and Acute Low Back Pain
- Sciatica
- Disc Herniations
- Spondylolisthesis
- Annular Disc Tearing
- Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction
- Postsurgical Fusion Rehabilitation
- Laminectomy
- Lumbar Stenosis
- Muscle Strains
- Osteoarthritis
- Spinal Instability
Back Sprain / Strain
Overstretching injury of spine soft tissues (ligaments and muscles) is known as sprain/strain. The majority of people sprain or strain their back when they combine lifting with twisting.
Physiotherapy Management
Receiving the proper therapy to reduce the inflammation process as quickly as possible, is important. Often, the root cause of the problem is limited motion in the hips or pelvis and even mid-back which causes abnormal forces in the low back. Our physiotherapists, at “BetterLife Physiotherapy”, work on improving movement, reduce pain and strengthen core muscles to prevent injury.
Lower Back Pain
There are many causes of back pain starting from impaired core and pelvis muscle stabilization , slouched posture, acute back strain following a fall or injury to pain due to arthritic changes or spinal disorder. Symptoms vary as well , pain after sitting, walking or lying down for prolonged periods, getting up from a chair or first thing in the morning after sleeping and limited reaching or bending down.
Physiotherapy Management
Our physiotherapists, at “BetterLife Physiotherapy”, work on detecting spinal areas that may not be moving ideally. This limitation in movement can cause strain on the sections above and below that affected area. By improving spinal joint mobility, soothing sore muscles and restoring posture and enhancing core stability, your mid or lower back pain could be relieved significantly. We then educate you on proper strengthening and postural techniques to maintain your gains in therapy.
Sciatica and Radiating / Referred Pain
It is the description of the pain radiating into the buttock that can travel down the back of the thigh, leg area or reach toes as well. This can make the sciatic nerve more susceptible to irritation and pressure from the piriformis muscle. The piriformis muscle helps guide hip movement, but can become very tight with prolonged sitting. This increased tightness causes pressure and irritation to the sciatic nerve causing pain.
Physiotherapy Management
Our physiotherapists at “BetterLife Physiotherapy” will apply the relevant physiotherapy assessment regarding the movement of your spine, hips and legs, range of motion, strength, joint mobility and muscle condition. Then a physiotherapy treatment plan will be created to quickly relieve your pain, relieve your radiating symptoms, improve your range of motion, improve strength and help you to prevent future episodes. Aiming to improve your spinal and hip mobility, reducing pressure on your sciatic nerve, we apply gentle, specialized hands-on techniques . In addition, modalities such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation and ultrasound may be used to reduce inflammation and resolve your pain quickly. We then perform gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to restore your normal motion and strength. This results in lasting effects that will stop your pain from returning.
Spinal Arthritis and Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Vertebrae is a very common area for arthritis which can also be affected by genetics, age, previous injuries, diet and exercise. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the central spinal canal where the nerves exit the spine to the lower legs. This leads to rubbing and even pressure on the nerves, which can cause a multitude of symptoms.
Physiotherapy Management
Our physiotherapists at “BetterLife Physiotherapy” can help to restore more natural movement to the spinal joints, improve flexibility of the related joints, improve muscle strength and core stability. Moreover to educate you how to assume good posture and proper way of lifting. The result is that you can do more, with less pain. All this reflects in significant reduction in pain and improvement in daily activities.
Herniated or Bulging Disc
The herniated disc is a fragment of the disc nucleus that is pushed out of the annulus (original position), into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture. This can impinge nerves exiting the lower back vertebrae. Symptoms vary from lower back pain, radiating pain in the thigh and leg, to numbness / tingling alongside the entrapped nerve.
Physiotherapy Management
A relevant physiotherapy plan is then created to decrease pressure on the disc by improving joint function, muscle strength and posture. To improve core stability, stretching tight muscles usually play a role to alleviate nerve pinch symptoms. Physiotherapy modalities may be used to reduce pain, improve circulation and decrease swelling around affected areas.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a weakness and thinning of the bones due to the change in calcium depositing and uptake. Osteoporosis is a very common condition after the age of 40 (affects females more than male). Common areas for osteoporosis are in the spine and hips. Osteoporosis makes people more susceptible to fractures.
Physiotherapy Management
Our physiotherapists at “BetterLife Physiotherapy” will work on preparing a coordinated, graduated exercise program to target your specific osteoporotic areas. Often, people with osteoporosis will also have limited spinal and hip movement which is usually reflected as pain. Our physiotherapists can prepare a proper plan of care that targets all the related concerns.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is a condition that occurs when one of your vertebrae slips out of place onto the vertebra below it causing pain and other neurological symptoms that result from compressing on the nerve root. Most of the time, physiotherapy treatment can relieve your symptoms, depends on the severity of them.
Physiotherapy Management
Our physiotherapy approach, at “BetterLife Physiotherapy”, is to improve stability and support to the lower back allowing the muscles to create more support for the overstretched ligaments. We work to strengthen key muscles to stabilize the spine and educate you on the proper techniques to maintain spinal stability. Also, our physiotherapy modalities and home exercises can help alleviate your symptoms.
Degenerative Disc Disease
It is related to wearing down of the disc or facet joints between vertebrae. This can cause repeated joint pressures, bone on bone rubbing and increased inflammation.
Physiotherapy Management
Physiotherapy is a non-invasive treatment that helps to improve spinal flexibility, core muscle strength, reduce pain and improve posture. All of these contribute to less pain and improved function.
Post-surgery Rehab
There are a wide variety of surgical procedures for the low back including discectomies, laminectomies and even spinal fusion surgeries. The goal of most of these surgeries is to remove any broken bone, tissues or discs that may be pressing on existing nerves from the spine. Furthermore, bringing stability to the spinal area is critical.
Physiotherapy Management
Physiotherapy plays a critical role in the recovery after low back surgeries. We follow the surgical protocols in your recovery. Our physiotherapy approach consists of gentle hands on therapy, pain relief modalities, graduated range of motion exercises for legs, hips, and spine. Once your surgeon protocol allows, graduated relevant gentle strengthening exercises are begun as a step to get back to the allowed activities of daily living (ADL).
