Lower Back Pain: Physical Therapy Treatment
Learning to Manage Lower Back Pain With Lumbar Stabilization
If you go see a physical therapist for lower back pain, it’s likely he or she is going to recommend lower back stabilization exercises. This is otherwise known as lumbar stabilization. Lower back stabilization is exactly what it sounds like: a method of stabilizing your spine and strengthening its supporting muscles in order to prevent further pain.
Know Thyself
One of the biggest aspects of lower back stabilization is getting to know your own body. Your physical therapist will help you find and work towards maintaining what’s called your neutral spine position. Your neutral spine position is the position that takes the most stress off of your spine. The exercises in lower back stabilization are designed to train your muscles to keep your spine in this position, reducing the stress on the spine that causes lower back pain.
Lower Back Stabilization Goals
Lower back stabilization is a comprehensive process that includes education as well as exercises to increase a patient’s flexibility, strength, and endurance. Overall, this method helps:
- Lessen back pain
- Give a patient control over the forces acting on the spine day-to-day
- Heal injuries, such as muscle sprain
- Reduce the chances of back injury