LUMBAR SPINE (LOW BACK)

Physical Therapy for the Lumbar Spine

Although we provide physical therapy for all orthopedic conditions and work not only to improve your pain complaints, more importantly we treat each patient as a person rather than as a diagnosis. Taking this comprehensive approach to orthopedic conditions provides our patients with the best results for their goals.  That being said, we know that our patient population is now more educated and involved in their health than ever.  As such, we have created a few targeted pages (by body part) to help share the basics about the body regions commonly treated at BreakThrough Physical Therapy. 

Physical Therapy Overview to Treatment of the Lumbar Spine (Low Back):
Physical Therapists treat a wide range of disorders as they relate to the lumbar spine (low back). As a region that plays a central role in the action of your entire core, hips, knees, feet and ankles as well as the foundation for the thoracic and cervical spine, the lumbar spine (low back) is at risk for injury. Most of us will experience low back pain in some form in our lives.  Learning key exercises, postures and body mechanics principles are critical to a healthy spine.  Pain can be a result of injury or disease of the lumbar spine and surrounding tissues. Patients can also report pain through the lumbar spine (low back) which could be initiating in the neck or thoracic spine, hips or generally poor movement patterns. Injury can affect any of the ligaments, bursae, bones, cartilage or tendons surrounding the lumbar spine.  Early intervention is critical to reducing pain in a timely fashion as well as the benefit of learning improved postures and body mechanics for a healthier, happier life.

At BreakThrough Physical Therapy, we begin your road to recovery with a comprehensive physical therapy evaluation.  This is critical in helping us to establish the best individualized treatment plan for you.  You will meet with one of our licensed physical therapists and they will ask a myriad of questions pertaining to you and your lumbar spine (low back) or related symptoms in order to help determine the cause of the pain and limitations you are experiencing.  Once the lines of communication and trust have been established, your physical therapist will then take you through a series of tests to determine more specifically the areas/tissues which may be most painful, weak, tight or limiting you in any way.  Your physical therapist will then communicate their findings to you and educate you on the first portion of your home exercise program.  You, your physical therapist and our aide team will work together in the coming weeks to help you reduce pain, increase mobility, flexibility, strength and endurance of all related tissues.  You will also learn some key tips to improve postural habits and body mechanics.  Our goal is to see you successfully return to your desired lifestyle upon discharge or “graduation” from BreakThrough Physical Therapy.

Because of the muscular, bony, ligamentous, neural and myofascial connections between the tissues; detailed evaluation including a thorough history by a medical professional is strongly recommended.  Many individuals try to manage their symptoms on their own and delay heeling further.  We have found that this causes the need for more extensive care in the future, greater expense to you and greater time away from work, family and friends than would have otherwise been needed.  While the internet can be a great tool for basic information, if you are having signs or symptoms which may need medical attention, please consult your physician or physical therapist immediately to ensure that you are taking the proper steps to your recovery.

Common Lumbar (Low Back) Tissues treated at BreakThrough Physical Therapy (including, but not limited to):
• Muscle
          Multifidus
          Quadratus Lumborum
          Semispinalis
          Latissimus Dorsi
          Upper Trapezius
          Middle Trapezius
          Lower Trapezius
          Psoas
          Internal Obliques
          External Obliques
          Rectus Abdominis
          Transversus Abdominis
• Bone
          Vertebrae
          Sacrum
          Ilium
          Ischium
          Pubis
• Disc
          Annulus Fibrosus
          Nucleus Pulposus
  
Common Diagnoses related to the low back (lumbar spine) treated at BreakThrough Physical Therapy (including, but not limited to):
• Acute Annular Tear
• Low Back Pain
• Lumbar Strain
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Sciatica
• Stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Bulging Disc, Ruptured Disc, Herniated Disc
• Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
• Radicular Pain, Radiculopathy
• Spinal (Lumbar) Fusion – post operative physical therapy
• Lumbar Laminectomy – post-operative physical therapy
• Lumbar Microdiscectomy – post-operative physical therapy
• Post-surgical lumbar (low back) physical therapy
• Post-operative lumbar (low back) physical therapy
• Sacro-Iliac Dysfunction
• Arthritis
          Rheumatoid Arthritis
          Osteoarthritis