Spine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy

Spine rehabilitation is one of the most effective ways to treat medical conditions that cause chronic back pain. 

At JAG PT, our physical therapists provide a comprehensive approach to manual therapy and prescriptive therapeutic exercises to rehabilitate your spine and get you back to the life you love.

What is Spine Rehabilitation?

This type of outpatient physical therapy involves a combination of exercise and manual therapy techniques to help your back muscles support your spine as they’re intended to. 

To begin your spine rehabilitation conditioning program, you and your physical therapist will discuss your specific back problems and determine which remedies are best for you. Our team will then guide you through every step of a personalized strength and exercise regimen to help you avoid surgery and get back to your best self.

When your back hurts, the thought of doing exercises may seem daunting, yet increasing your endurance and strength is the first step in eliminating back pain for good. 

Spine rehabilitation can be an effective treatment for many conditions, including:

• Disc degeneration
• Scoliosis and Kyphosis
• Herniated discs
• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis
• Spinal arthritis
• Spinal fractures
• Spinal trauma
• Spondylolisthesis

Common Causes of Back Pain

Back pain does not just come out of nowhere, although sometimes it can feel that way. There is always an underlying reason – such as strain, posture, or body mechanics – for back problems. Common activities that cause back pain include:

• Poor posture — Prolonged sitting, especially with poor posture, is one of the most common reasons for back pain. Putting uneven stress on your spine through poor posture causes discomfort and can eventually increase the likelihood of back injury.
• Poor lifting techniques — Bending forward with your legs straight when lifting heavy objects is another recipe for back pain. Not only can you pull a muscle, but you can also stress your back and spine in ways that can lead to serious injury.
• Poor physical fitness — More than 60% of U.S. adults do not get enough regular exercise. When your back muscles lack strength and endurance, your spine is more prone to injury.

What Are the Goals of Spinal Physical Therapy?

The goals of spinal physical therapy are similar to other forms of manual therapy. Our physical therapists work to improve your flexibility and back function, and to reduce the severity of your pain. After physical therapy sessions, we empower our patients with advice, information, and an individualized exercise program to help with self-management of pain.

Spine Rehabilitation for Back Pain

Roughly 8% of all adults experience persistent or chronic back pain. Fortunately, physical therapy can help. Whether you face muscle spasms, herniated discs, or spinal stenosis, working with a physical therapist can improve your physical wellbeing and help prevent the need for spinal surgery.

Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain

What physical therapy methods are used to treat lower back pain? At JAG Physical Therapy, our team members are skilled in both passive and active treatments for lower back pain.

Passive physical therapy involves a physical therapist applying treatments while you remain at rest. These treatments can include controlled movements, heat and ice application, or electrical stimulation. Physical therapy for low back pain may involve applying heat or cold to the lower back muscles (in conjunction with active exercises) to help prevent muscle spasms and inflammation.

Active physical therapy involves stretches, exercises, and other techniques in which you are an active participant. This treatment option focuses on specific movements of the muscles around the lower back to help relieve lower back pain. Your therapist may engage you in exercise programs to strengthen your core or recommend exercises you can do on your own as part of your self-management of symptoms.

Spine Rehabilitation for Spinal Cord Injury

Spine rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury can be frustrating. Our therapists will guide you through exercise programs to help you condition your muscles and relearn how to perform daily activities and tasks required for independent living.

The result? You'll begin to feel like yourself again, as pain decreases and function increases. Our staff will work with you through the process to help you regain as much control of your body as possible.

Your program may include:

• Cardiovascular exercise
• Mobility training
• Respiratory conditioning
• Strength training
• Stretching

Physical Therapy After a Spinal Surgery

Your surgeon may prescribe physical therapy following spinal surgery to help in your recovery. Our staff will help you work through the prescribed program to build your strength and assist with any loss of function.

A certain amount of pain is to be expected following spinal surgery, and controlling pain is an important first step in helping a patient. Our therapists help minimize your pain before, during, and following physical therapy through several techniques, including:

• Applying heat or ice to the muscles around the surgery site
• Avoiding certain positions of the spine during exercises
• Eliminating certain movements that may aggravate the surgery site
• Using an electrical device (TENS unit) to help relax tense muscles

Trust the Leading Spine Rehab Therapists in NY, NJ, & PA

Don’t waste another moment living with back pain. Our dedicated and knowledgeable team of PTs has your back, as we help you commit to your recovery. We know the harder you work, the more your pain decreases. We are here to help you through each step of the process.

Discover a JAG Physical Therapy location near you or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our team.

We're here to help you get back the life you love!