| |
Exercise Ball and Back Pain
The exercise ball and back
pain treatment have gone hand in hand for years in physical therapy
clinics.
It is well known that
approximately
80 percent of people living in western society will
experience
lower back pain at some point of their life. Most cases resolve on
their own within two to four weeks without intervention; however, 80
percent of people will go on to have a reoccurrence. Current research
has shown that in most cases of low back pain, the muscles that
stabilize the spine are reflexively inhibited after injury and do not
"kick in" to stabilize the spine automatically when called upon. These
muscles do not necessarily recover even if patients are painfree and
return to their normal activities.
Physical therapy
involves a wide
range of techniques including modalities to help pain such as heat,
electrotherapy, and traction/decompression. Mobilization of hypomobile
segments, education about posture and body mechanics and exercise.
Stabilization and strengthening of the lumbar spine through a lumbar
stabilization program is also an important part of a rehabilitation
program for the patient with low back pain.
A lumbar stabilization
program is a
routine of back exercises designed to teach strengthening and
flexibility in a pain-free range. This helps achieve efficient movement
patterns. It provides the patient with movement awareness, knowlege of
safe postures, and functional strength and coordination that promotes
management of lower back pain.
Spinal exercises
should not
provoke pain cause any acute increase of pain and
should not
cause any radiation of pain into the extremities.
Prior to starting a
lumbar
stabilization program or performing any exercise ball exercises you
should first be assessed by your family
physician and physical therapist. Since every patient is an individual
and presents with different conditions, a physical therapist is needed
to design and monitor the rehabilitation program of someone with low
back pain.
Precautions.
Return from the "Exercise Ball and Back Pain" page to the Home page
|
