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Young woman doing muscle rehabilitation exercises with help of her physiotherapist

Back in Motion: Manual Therapy for Effective Back Pain Treatment

Discover the powerful benefits of manual therapy and how it can relieve your pain!

Are you tired of being held back by relentless back pain? Is your discomfort starting to interfere with daily tasks? Imagine a life without constant pain, limitations, and frustration. Experience the transformative power of manual therapy for back pain as our skilled practitioners at Stride Sports & Physiotherapy in Edmonton, AB help you discover the long-awaited relief you’ve been seeking.

Manual therapy consists of hands-on techniques that promote the blood flow, relaxation, and healing of tissues in your body. These methods are specifically used to improve musculoskeletal pain and joint or soft tissue restrictions. Often, manual therapy is incorporated into a treatment plan for back pain as it delivers both physical and psychological benefits.

If you’ve been experiencing back pain, our physiotherapists are here to help! Our ultimate goal is to help guide you toward better health.

Call our clinic today to learn more about how manual therapy can work for you.

Common Causes of Back Pain

Back pain typically stems from an injury or underlying condition, such as:

  • Bulging or Herniated Discs: These conditions affect the spinal discs, which act as shock absorbers between the spine’s vertebrae. A bulging disc extends outside its normal space. However, the outer layer (annulus) is still intact. At the same time, a herniated disc (also called a ruptured or slipped disc) happens when the inner material (nucleus pulposus) leaks out through a tear in the annulus. Both can press on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the area of the body that the nerve serves.
  • Degenerative Disc Disease: This condition where natural, age-related wear-and-tear on a spinal disc causes pain, instability, and other symptoms. The name is somewhat misleading as it’s not a disease per se but a term used to describe the changes in the discs as we age. Symptoms can range from no pain at all to severe, disabling pain.
  • Sprains and/or Strains: Sprains and strains are common injuries with similar signs and symptoms but involve different body parts. A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments, the fibrous tissue that connects bones to each other. At the same time, a strain is a stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon, the fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones.
  • Osteoarthritis: This is the most common form of arthritis, often referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. While it can damage any joint, it’s most commonly seen in the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
  • Sciatica: Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. A herniated disc usually causes it, a bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) that compresses part of the nerve, causing inflammation, pain, and often some numbness in the affected leg.
  • Spinal Stenosis: This condition refers to the narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can pressure the nerves that travel through the spine. It is most often caused by wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis. Symptoms can include pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and problems with bladder or bowel function.

If you’re suffering from back pain, it’s important to seek help from our physiotherapists. The powerful combination of manual therapy for back pain, exercises, and education can help you overcome back pain and learn to manage the symptoms of your condition!

Why Manual Therapy Is Effective For Back Pain

When you hear about manual therapy, you may think of a therapeutic massage at a spa. However, this form of treatment is much more complex. Manual therapy is known for its powerful abilities to treat physical symptoms, such as:

  • Reducing pain
  • Improving or restoring joint mobility
  • Decreasing muscle tension/spasms
  • Improving the quality of movement and overall function

Discover the holistic benefits of manual therapy for back pain, as it alleviates physical discomfort and uplifts your mental and emotional well-being by reducing stress, anxiety and promoting relaxation.

What Can I Expect From Treatment?

Our physiotherapists will determine which therapy methods to use based on a comprehensive evaluation of your condition. To better understand the root of your pain, we may ask you questions about your symptoms and examine any mobility issues or limitations that you may be experiencing.

After this assessment, your physiotherapist will design a treatment plan to reduce your pain and restore your functions. Our physiotherapists will use manual therapy for back pain to improve a patient’s condition in many different ways. Some of the different forms include:

  • Therapeutic Massage: Therapeutic massage alleviates muscle tension, improves blood circulation, and promotes mental/emotional relaxation.
  • Mobilizations: Joint and soft tissue mobilizations are used to reduce muscle spasms, improve joint function, and relieve back pain.
  • Myofascial Release: Myofascial release is a therapeutic technique that targets the fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles) by applying gentle, sustained pressure to release tension and restore mobility.
  • Trigger Point Therapy: Your therapist will perform trigger point therapy by applying pressure to specific trigger points in the muscles, which will reduce your pain and help you feel more relaxed.

Start Your Journey to Relief With Manual Therapy For Back Pain

Don’t let back pain dictate your life any longer. Take charge of your health and experience the benefits of manual therapy! Our skilled therapists at Stride Sports & Physiotherapy in Edmonton, AB strive to help you achieve a pain-free future. With our comprehensive treatment plans and effective hands-on techniques, you can finally start to find relief.

Call us today to learn more and get started!

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