Physical therapy for Degenerative Disc Disease will not only help you manage pain, it will also improve your strength, range of motion and flexibility, as well as learn proper posture and lifting techniques.
Even though your intervertebral discs will keep on ageing over time, it is possible that your back pain will really decrease and symptoms can be managed successfully.
The Physiotherapist develops an individual programme suitable for each person to effectively manage the condition.
Exercise
Why exercise? Individuals who exercise regularly have far fewer problems with their back. Exercise assists in strengthening the muscles in your back and also strengthening your abdomen, arms and legs and hence reduces back strain.
Stretching exercises decrease risk of muscle spasms and weight bearing exercises aid in preventing loss of bone mass as the individual ages.
Aerobic exercise - the sort that gets your heart pumping and pulse rate up is also a good pain reliever.
Hamstring stretches
Hamstring stretches frequently assist in alleviating the intensity of low back pain and the rate of recurrence, for example sitting on a chair and placing your leg on another chair to gently stretch the hamstrings .
Lifestyle modifications
This entails improving posture; altering positions often, particularly if your work involves a lot of sitting; learning and using acceptable lifting techniques; and sleeping on a mattress that correctly supports your back.
Staying away from smoking and alcohol, sustaining a healthy weight and regular exercise all add up to a healthier back.
Relief of Pain
Management of pain is frequently the central basis that an individual seeks treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease.
Inflammation is a cause for developing degenerative disc symptoms. It is greatly reduced by the use of ice therapy and exercises that reduces the load on the inflamed structures.
The Physiotherapist may also use other management options such as electrotherapy, soft tissue manipulation and a brief use of a back brace to reduce your pain and inflammation.
Improving Range Of Motion and Strength
When the pain and inflammation resolves, the Physiotherapist then focuses on restoring or improving your joint alignment and range of motion, muscle length, muscle strength and endurance.
The individual�s initial exercises may include lower abdominal and core stability exercises to help facilitate or assist the important muscles that control and stabilise the spine.
The Physiotherapist may also recommend a stretching exercises or soft tissue manipulation to deal with the tight or shortened muscles.
Restoring Full Function
As the individuals� range of motion improves, the Physiotherapist then provides management that restores the normal pelvic and spine alignment and its range of motion in different postures.
Management also include improving the core and the lower limb muscle power.
The individuals� occupation plays a role in the management of the condition. The management of an athlete will differ from that of a teacher hence; the Physiotherapists� goal is to improve the individuals� function in order to return to his/her occupation or activities of daily living.
Averting a Recurrence
There is a tendency for pain to recur as a result of adopting bad posture, returning to previous bad habits or incomplete rehabilitation.
It is vital to finish rehabilitation and continue to perform home exercises each week to avoid back pain.
The Physiotherapists� assessment of the individuals� back and spine will help to correct any deficiencies in the feet or lower limbs by providing advice on foot orthoses or specific exercises to enhance muscle control.
General exercise is a vital factor to effectively prevent a recurrence of pain. The individual may require regular swimming, walking or a gym programme in the long term.
He/ she would also need to adhere to adopting appropriate postures for the spine- in standing, sitting, sleeping and lifting objects.
� The writer is a Senior Physiotherapist at the 37 Military Hospital
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