Pain from spinal disc disorders can be difficult to treat, often because of the complexities of the nervous system in and around the spinal cord. Doctors United, in the Bronx, White Plains, Ardsley, and Yonkers, New York, has professional physical therapists on staff for a variety of recovery and rehabilitation treatments.
Physical therapy is an excellent addition to a pain management program for pain related to spinal disc pain. A drug-free modality, physical therapy pairs well as a complementary treatment to other disc disorder treatments.
This month, we’re looking at five helpful benefits of physical therapy in the treatment of pain related to spinal disc disorders.
The exercises and routines of physical therapy create their pain-relieving effects by implementing both manual therapies and techniques that utilize accessory equipment such as ultrasound devices and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) equipment.
Your physical therapist devises a program based on your current abilities and the nature of your disc injury. Combined with pain management and other treatments for your condition, physical therapy offers these benefits:
The most common type of event causing pain is a herniated disc, in which the inner gel of a spinal disc escapes the tougher outer shell. It can cause pain in several ways, including spinal stenosis, a condition in which nerve roots become compressed or irritated, and discogenic pain, which originates from nerve tissue in the disc itself.
Pain from herniated discs generally resolves on its own with time, but because of the intense nature of the pain, which can bring your daily life to a halt, pain management may be a priority to keep your days moving.
Your physical therapist uses techniques that increase blood flow and reduce localized inflammation to contribute to local pain relief.
Disc herniation or degenerative disc disease, a condition in which spinal discs lose volume, affects the way the joints of the spine work, which can be another source of pain. By building muscle strength and flexibility, physical therapy transfers forces away from the spine and onto muscles. This force transfer relieves pain and increases the stability of spinal joints.
Stiffness is a common symptom accompanying disc pain. Physical therapy exercises and treatments can improve the range of motion as well as loosen stiff joint movements.
A close relative of physical therapy, occupational therapy focuses on improved body mechanics for accomplishing tasks. In addition to strengthening muscles and other support tissue, physical and occupational therapies give you the experience and knowledge to sidestep disc pain triggers.
Pain relief, increased strength, and restored mobility combine to reduce the impact of disc-related pain. Physical therapy can also reduce your need for pain medications that add to the burden with side effects.
Contact Doctors United at the nearest of our five locations, online or by phone, to schedule your consultation now.
