Physical Therapy for Back Pain

Ever since the fifth grade, I have wanted to become a physical therapist. It was not until I began doing my observation hours that I got a true understanding of what a physical therapist actually does and the wide variety of patients that they see. It was not until my Physics course that I understood how much physics is involved with physical therapy. Forces, torques, vectors, energies, rotational and linear motions all are very important when it comes to the human body and more importantly the rehabilitation of the human body. The article "Back Pain Overview: Exercise and Physical Therapy" from The New York Times, explains the benefits of physical therapy and exercises that can be used for rehab of back pain.
Although some are susceptible about physical therapy, a study has shown that people who plan therir own exercise program do worse than those under the supervision of a physical therapist or doctor. It is usually necessary to have a physical therapist if pain has persisted for three to four weeks. The cause of the back pain is often from incorrect movements and/ or long-term high-impact movements. These movements could be caused by stresses from activities such as football, golf, weight lifting or everyday activities. Physical therapy is used to train the patient the proper movements and the strengthening and flexibility of the back in this case.
When discussing the exercises for acute back pain, it is recommended not to put the lower back under pressure. Leg curls and lifts can apply this undesirable pressure due to the forces of the weight. Pressure is a scalar quantity, and in this case is caused by forces.



The force of the weight of the lifting equipment as it is shown in the picture causes undesirable pressure on the lower back. Forces are pushes or pulls and are known as vectors because they have a magnitude as well as a direction. The recommended exercises when there is acute back pain are swimming, biking, or walking. These types of exercises are low-impact meaning that the forces on the lower back have a small magnitude. Low-impact is in reference to the amount of forces on the muscles in the lower back have. Muscles are connected to two bones through their tendon attachments, and the lower back pain is caused by the use of the weakened muscles. Improper movements are due to the direction of the forces overtime, while the long-term high-impact movements is due to both the direction and magnitude of the forces.



For chronic back pain, exercise is very important. Exercise can increase flexibility, endurance, and muscle strength. Once again, low-impact aerobic exercises are the most beneficial as to not overstrain the back. Biking, swimming, and walking allow for proper forces that have sufficient magnitudes and correct directions so that the muscles can recover from injury and gain flexibility.

This is a nice video that describes the physical therapy aspect of lower back pain more. It includes a new technique called GPR, that is used for lower back pain. Only need to watch it to 1:45 minutes.



This second video is extremely informative, and includes a slide show with a person explaining the basic anatomy of the back, the types of methods a person with back pain can use to decrease the pain, as well as video clips of the exercises and how to do them properly. I would say that this video is the best representation of multiple modes of representation, and I can say that it is very helpful for those who are visual or audio learners.


Below are two websites that are very beneficial for anyone who is suffering from either acute or chronic back pain. TThey give a lot of useful information about lower back posture as well.

http://posture-exercises.blogspot.com/

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/detail_backpain.htm