Orthopedic Physical Therapy for Back Pain: Exercises, Benefits, and Care

Back pain is one of the most common physical complaints, affecting millions of adults every year. While it is natural to assume that a sore lower back stems from an isolated spine or muscle issue, the root cause is often located much further down the body. Your feet and ankles form the foundation of your entire skeletal structure. When the foundation is misaligned, the effects ripple upward through the kinetic chain resulting in chronic lower back pains.

Treating back pain effectively requires looking at how you move from the ground to upwards. In this method, orthopedic physical therapy is an invaluable tool. By combining targeted physical therapy with absolute care and precautions, you can detect the root cause of pain rather than just masking it.

Understand Kinetic Chain Relationship

Every time your feet hit the floor when you walk, they act as a shock absorber to your body weight, pushing it up your ankles, knees, hips, and spine. This chain is called the kinetic chain.

If you have foot alignments such as flat feet, high arches, overpronation (inward turning of the foot), and plantar fasciitis, then there is fundamental change in how you walk. To prevent yourself from feeling any discomfort due to foot problems, you will unconsciously change your walking pattern. These minor changes affect your alignment of the knees and hips and move pelvis forward or backward. Eventually, this causes unnecessary pressure on the muscle, tendons, and joints of the lower back.

Unless the problem at the bottom of the chain is fixed, you will never stop experiencing back pain.

What is Orthopedic Physical Therapy?

Orthopedic Physical Therapy is that branch of medical science which deals with the treatment of conditions that affects the musculoskeletal system. It includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

In the context of using orthopedic therapy for back pain, the physical therapist will first do a thorough examination of your movement. This includes an analysis of your posture, range of motion, and galt analysis to figure out the exact point at which the kinetic chain breaks down.

Essential Exercise for Back pain Relief

Exercise is an important part of physiotherapy. In cases where back pain is associated with problems related to feet and ankles, physical therapists focus on exercises which are connected with your lower extremity to your spine.

1. Stretching of Calves and Hamstring:

Tight calves and hamstrings limit the natural motion of your leg, causing the pelvis to tilt backwards, resulting in flattening of your lower spine. Performing these stretches can help you regain flexibility.

2. Stretching of Plantar Fascia:

The tension in the plantar fascia makes you change the way you walk, resulting in heel pain and abnormal heel-to-toe walking.

3. Strengthening of Glutes and Hips:

Glutes act as a natural stabilizer for your pelvis. So, strengthening your hips and glutes can prevent abnormal tilting of your pelvis and remove the burn on your lower spine.

4. Core Stabilization:

Your core serves as a natural corset for your spine, special physical exercise such as pelvic tilts and planks strengthen your deep abdominals, giving support to your lower spine when you are walking.

Importance of Custom Orthotics in Physical Therapy

Even though physical therapy can help to strengthen and stretch your body, it doesn’t have the ability to modify the bone structure of your feet. Physical therapy will be effective only if a patient suffering from back pain is suffering from flat feet, limb length discrepancies, and arthritis in combination with custom molded orthotics.

Unlike over the counter shoe liners, custom orthotics are prescription products that are designed specially keeping in mind the structure and pathology of your feet. Through a biochemical assessment, these devices are created according to the proportion of your feet. It immediately prevents the abnormal force from acting upwards on your body and your back muscles start relaxing.

Benefits of Conservative Approach

By selecting orthopedic physical therapy and custom orthotics, you can get specific and long term benefits that cannot be obtained through any other type of medical treatment.

1. Less Medication Needed:

With this treatment, patients don't need any NSAIDs and pain killers as they fix the mechanical source of pain.

2. Prevention of Further Injuries:

Physical therapy not only helps you in treating the existing injury, but also teaches patients the correct body mechanics to prevent possible injuries soon.

3. Non-Invasive Treatment:

Physical Therapy is an effective method as compared to the risky back surgeries and other types of invasive operations.

Choose the Right Clinic

If you suffer from persistent back pain, the solution may be found right under your feet. Our Specialists at Merritt Island Foot and Ankle know the relation between foot health and spine. They carefully observe every issue and ensure the well-being of the patients. Using such treatment options as Laser Therapy and custom orthotics, we can help you to align your kinetic chains to get relief from back pain.